Swinburne, in his Treatise of Spousals, printed 1680 (p. 208), says: “The finger on which this ring [the wedding-ring] is to be worn is the fourth finger of the left hand, next unto the little finger; because by the received opinion of the learned ... in ripping up and anatomising men's bodies, there is a vein of blood, called vena amoris, which passeth from that finger to the heart.”
Ring Posies or mottoes.
(1) A E I (Greek for “Always”).
(2) For ever and for aye.
(3) In thee, my choice,
I do rejoice.
(4) Let love increase.
(5) May God above Increase our love.
(6) Not two but one, Till life is
gone.
(7) My heart and I, Until I die.
(8) When this you see, Then think of me.
(9) Love is heaven, and
heaven is love.
(10) Wedlock, 'tis said, In heaven is made.
Right to wear a gold ring. Amongst the Romans,
only senators, chief magistrates, and in later times knights, enjoyed the jus annuli aurei. The emperors
conferred the right upon whom they pleased, and Justinian extended the privilege to all Roman citizens.