（婚戒作为爱情的象征，但它的来历和意义末必每个人都会清楚。希望这篇译文会帮助您重新认知、理解并珍视它。——笔者注）
在婚姻的诸多象征里，婚戒是令人无法忽视的存在。它是永恒爱情的完美化身——圆环之形，无始无终，恰如婚姻纽带的水恒绵延。婚戒的历史可谓源远而流长。
证据表明，早在六千年前的古埃及，婚戒便已登上了历史舞台。然与今日所用的金属宝石迥异，彼时的指环，乃以芦苇、皮革或骨片精心制成。此后数百年间，此传统日趋西渐，首盛于古罗马与古希腊，继而遍传于中世纪的欧洲，终至浸润东方文明。历史的烟云中，戒指的圆环形态传承不辍，将其佩戴于左手无名指的习俗亦随之沿袭。后者源于一个古老的信念：人们相信有一个血管从此手指直达心脏。尽管此说今已被证伪，但古老的风俗却依然在指间流传。
回溯婚戒习俗，曾有岁月，唯新娘佩戴此环。直至二十世纪初叶，新郎戴戒之风方兴未艾。这一变迁，也深受远赴战场的兵士影响，他们佩戴婚戒，以慰藉对故乡爱人的思念。时至今日，交换婚戒依旧是婚礼华章中不可或缺的一幕，象征着两位即将共赴人生旅途的个体，彼此许下承诺与挚爱。
婚戒，蕴含着一种象征的伟力，将婚姻中的两人紧密相连。在这流转不息的人间，婚戒作为一种古老的传统，极有可能代代相袭，延绵后世，映照着婚姻所礼赞的那份超越时间的永恒之爱。
附：英文原文
When it comes to popular symbols of marriage，one cannot look past the wedding ring. The weddingring serves as a pefect symbol ensverlasting love--a ring is a circle and thus has no beginning or end , representing the never-ending union of marriage.Wedding rings have long and rich histories.
Evidence suggests that wedding rings were used inancient Egypt around 6,000 years ago. However,unlike the metals and gemstones used today,they were crafted from materials such a reeds leather or bone. In the centuries that followed, the wedding ring tradition was picked up in the West,where it spread first in ancient Romae and Greece,Shubsequently throughout Europe during the Middle Ages and eventually to Eastern culture. Throughout history,the circular shape of the ring has endured, and so has the tradition of wearing it on the fourth finger of the left hand.The latter factice stemmed from an ancient belief that a vein ran directly from this finger to the heart. Although this belief has since been proved false,the custom has persisted.
Regarding customs surrounding wedding rings,there was a time when only the bride wore awedding ring.It wasn't until the early 20th century that the practice of grooms wearing rings gained popularity.This change was influenced by soldiers going off to war,who wore rings as reminders of their loved ones waiting for them at home. Today,the exchange of wedding rings remains an integral part of the wedding ceremony,symbolizing the commitment and love shared between two individuals embarking on a life together.
Wedding rings hold a symbolic significance that binds the two members of a married couple.In anever-changing world,the wedding ring stands as an ancient tradition that is likely to continue for generations to come, reflecting the timeless and eternal love celebrated through marriage.
