Some facts that may be of interest to you
Medical symbol
The Greek god of healing was Asclepius, whose symbol was a staff with a snake entwined around it. The snake suggests poison, disease and death. But it also suggests that the healer's power could somehow vanquish that of the snake.
Umbrella
The umbrella was supposed to protect royal heads not so much from the hot Sun or the rain as from the forces that might be let loose by evil spirits, who were jealous and envious of great personages and would do them harm. It is easy to understand that in the regions where the Sun's heat is very intense. It's cruel rays should be regarded as possessing hateful spirits. Anything that shaded these rays were considered good luck that brought immunity from harm to those under the umbrella.
After being an exclusive privilege of the monarchs and members of the religious orders, the umbrella was finally permitted to common people. And the people value the umbrella for protection from rain and harmful ultra-violet and scorching rays of the Sun.
A modern evolution of the umbrella is the parachute.
Wedding Ring
Rings were seals of authority for use on documents and other important papers.
Wedding ring plays a significant role since ancient times. Ring ( circular form ) was regarded as a potent and powerful symbol for hundreds of years. The Egyptians were probably the first to fashion a ring to be worn on the finger. In their heiroglyphics, a circle ( even in other regions of the world ) represents eternity, therefore an idealistic symbol for union between man and woman. Egyptians were the first to have the idea that there was a vein, love's vein so called which was supposed to extend from the heart to the fourth finger of the left hand.
Roman writings also point out that the wedding ring should be placed on the fourth finger of the left hand to prevent the sentiments from escaping from the heart, then regarded as the seat of love as well as the other emotions. Further more, when so placed, it became a binding token of a woman's eternal love for the man who placed the ring there and under all circumstances she should be protected.
It was an ancient belief that in order to exercise its full power, a diamong ring had to be worn on the left side of the body, the so -called heart side, and the jewel had to be set that it touched the skin. Hence the custom of wearing a diamond engagement ring, with a clear setting of the left hand.
Diamonds are symbolic of love, virtue, purity, and innocence. They have also been proved effective against sorcery and evil eye .
Right hand was considered the hand of power and authority, the left, the hand of subordinate. Therefore the ring on the left hand of the bride meant she became her husband's subordinate, delicate worthy of love, care and protection. Practically, the left hand is less active and the ring less exposed to wear and tear.
It is interesting to note that there were different customs observed regarding this.
Single men and women wore a ring on the first finger of the left hand to indicate their eligibility.
A ring on the little finger of the same hand indicated ' Avoiding a proposal'.
If a man was to be a bachelor, he wore a plain band on the little finger
Widowers, displayed their status by wearing a white ring on the middle finger of the right hand.
A ring on the second or middle finger of the left hand indicated that the wearer was engaged.
