Promise Rings For Couples in Turkey
What it means, and how to wear?
The engagement ring is worn on either hand. This is not the norm in any country. In Turkey the country where engagements are celebrated with a party has a long tradition and is very important to the couple and their families, it is worn on the left finger, as in Germany. We will explain what engagement signifies in Turkey and what role the ring plays, and how it is worn. Continue reading Wedding proposal in Turkey and Wedding in Turkey.
A significant event
While in Germany the proposal is more of a romantic event that is conducted between two people - of course there are exceptions to the rule - and is only very rarely celebrations with friends and family It is a different story in Turkey. In the country of the Bosporus the marriage proposal is an ancient tradition associated with a variety of ceremonies and celebrations. There is nothing wrong with a modern-day marriage vow in Turkey in the present, and the bride and groom can take their time celebrating the wedding ceremony on their own. However, once the marriage proposal has been accepted and accepted, the traditional ceremony will begin. The traditional ceremony involves an elegant engagement ring. However some couples are extremely religious and don't wear the ring. Of course, there are always exceptions and couples who implement the traditional way of life or who have a different perspective.
Parents are not the only ones who need to be involved.
You can ask your spouse if she's planning to get married and putting the engagement ring on her ring finger? In Turkey this isn't enough. Instead, a truly "complete" wedding proposal includes a meeting with the bride's parents where the groom asks his parents to offer her hand in marriage with his parents who are already informed about the wedding date. If this is done in a traditional manner even the groom's dad takes on this task.
The small engagement party
If both families are in agreement that the marriage should be performed, the engagement rings are exchanged. This is only applicable to couples who do not strictly follow the Islamic religion. The bride is not the groom's true wife until they get married however, she is still a stranger who does wear the ring. Like us, the bride will wear a solitaire ring as a proposal. After the exchange of the ring, the celebration can begin. In Turkey the other members of the family are invited to the visit of the parents and to the small engagement celebration that follows. The ceremony is celebrated with grandparents, aunts and uncles, if the engagement rings have been placed on the wrist of the bride (or both partners).
The big engagement celebration
It's the time to get large and not just small. Up 200 guests is not uncommon for a Turkish engagement celebration. Here, too, people like to stick to the traditional ways of life. What color is the bride's dress? Who will pay for it? Who will pay for the engagement party? During the ceremony, the rings are exchanged in front of everyone present. If both spouses have rings to propose, the rings that are later used as wedding bands are typically used. This is why people tend to dig a bit deeper into their pockets when buying engagement rings. There aren't any additional costs for the wedding rings. After the "official" portion of the celebration is over the celebration begins typically with a lavish party that continues into the late into the night.
The engagement ring in Turkey and its significance
In Turkey as opposed to Germany, the USA and other western countries, engagement rings have a totally different significance. In Muslim countries it is a symbol of love and a bond between two persons with no religious significance. Depending on the degree of devotion a couple has and the way in which the Koran is interpreted by the responsible imam A couple should not just choose to skip a ring for the proposal or wedding, but may also forgo wedding rings. This tradition of religious significance originates from the belief that by wearing a ring in plain sight the couple is mimicking those who are not Muslims. If a woman believes a proposal ring was given to her by a man she is able to wear it and display it without hesitation.
The left hand
The question "On which hand should you wear the engagement ring?" is a simple question to answer: If a Turkish couple decides to wear a proposal ring, it is placed on the left ring finger, like in Germany. After the wedding, it can be placed on the right ring finger to go with the wedding ring.
No gold for those who are religious
When an engagement is made in Turkey when the engagement rings are also used as wedding rings, the choice is typically made of jewelry that is not made of gold. Men of the Muslim faith are not allowed to wear gold jewelry because the precious metal has been considered to be a symbol of luxury and must be avoided for religious reasons. This is the reason why many couples, at the very least when they're religious, choose for rings that are made of platinum or silver. The question of whether the latter is an even greater luxury is another question. If the woman is only wearing the ring, it could be made from gold in any alloy she wishes to use. Women are allowed to wear jewelry of any kind and they wear it often.
Beautiful custom
In Turkey the ring that is used to propose is usually bought by the groom's parents. This is because the secret marriage vow between two individuals cannot be created and the interpretation of the religion must permit rings to worn. If you decide that both partners will wear rings, they will be connected with a beautiful red ribbon that is then cut during the engagement party. This is after the exchange of rings after both partners already have the jewelry on their wrists. The proposal rings thus take on a wonderful meaning as they symbolize the bond between a man and woman which is sworn to in the mind of the parents and other guests and relatives who attend the party.
In Conclusion - the engagement ring in Turkey
While not often worn by couples or even by every bride-tobe it is still a common sight in Turkey. While it is generally rescinded by strict Muslims and other religious groups, it plays an important role in many couples' engagement celebrations. Wedding rings are commonly used for engagement rings, which makes them a great investment. While religious men are not allowed to wear jewelry made of gold, women can adorn their bodies with gold as they want. After marriage the ring can be worn on both hands. Or it can continue to decorate the left ring finger if the new wife prefers to do so.