Wedding rings need to have meaning, they are a symbol of love, true commitment, and of course, friendship. Ogham wedding rings are a unique way of enhancing the meaning of the bond of love.
With beginnings lost in the mists of time and a history steeped in Irish folklore, Ogham wedding rings are a unique and beautiful symbol of love.
What is the Ogham Alphabet?
Ogham wedding rings can be personalised with any name or message using the ancient Ogham alphabet. Dating from at least the 4th Century and possibly as far back as the 1st Century, the Ogham alphabet is Ireland’s oldest known written alphabet.
It is sometimes called the tree alphabet, and it is easy to see why. The alphabet consists of a series of strokes that intersect a central core or “trunk.” Each letter is represented by a certain number of strokes that connect to the trunk differently.
A few examples are listed below:
- Letter A – One line that is centred on the trunk
- Letter C – Four lines connecting to the left-hand side of the trunk
- Letter E – Four lines that are placed centrally across the trunk
- Letter I – Five lines centred on the trunk
- Letter S – Four lines that connect to the right-hand side of the trunk
The alphabet reads from the bottom to the top with a slight space in between letters.
The history of the Ogham Alphabet is shrouded in the mists of Ireland and Celtic folklore. However, scholars believe that the alphabet has its roots in Southwest Ireland, probably around Kerry or Cork, but not much more is known about its origins. This adds to the mystique of the alphabet and has led to many myths about when and who first created this simple yet stunningly beautiful form of writing.
Spelling out a message of love or a loved one’s name in the Ogham alphabet adds a connection to the past and an air of mysticism and folklore to any jewellery piece. This makes it the perfect addition to a wedding ring, which is a magical Ogham jewellery piece in its own right.
Finally, it is worth noting that the Ogham alphabet denotes letters from the Irish Gaelic language. This means that certain letters are not represented or represented differently in the Ogham alphabet. Amongst them are J and S, which are the same letter (for context, it is worth remembering that Sean is the Irish equivalent of John). Other common substitutions are W for U, X for K, and Y for I.
Ogham Wedding Rings – Merging Tradition and Folklore
One of the common theories surrounding the creation of the Ogham alphabet was that it was used as a kind of secret code to confuse tribes. This same attribute of secretiveness makes it perfect for wedding rings. The bond of love that is shared in a marriage is a personal thing and Ogham wedding rings are the perfect way to make sure wedding rings are both personal and unique.
Ogham wedding rings encompass the myth, history, folklore, and tradition of the ancient Celts, and the timelessness of Celtic design adds beauty.
Ogham wedding rings are highly customisable, with various designs that incorporate other Celtic art available. This means that no matter what you and your partner’s tastes are, there are likely options available to suit.
They also lend themselves to work beautifully in any precious metal – Gold, white gold, silver, and platinum are all popular choices for Ogham wedding rings. But whatever design and metal you choose, an Ogham wedding ring is guaranteed to be unique and stunningly beautiful, the perfect wedding ring.
Ogham Wedding Rings – Summing Up
Some trends come and go and can leave a jewellery piece looking out of fashion and dated. Ogham wedding rings are part of Celtic culture and have their basis in designs that are very old and yet still look beautiful and relevant.
A wedding day is a magical thing, and the mysticism that surrounds the Ogham alphabet can add a touch of uniqueness and spirituality to make the big day that bit more special.
