Why Is the Circle a Symbol of Life Without End?

Wedding rings, wreaths, and many memorials use the same simple shape. This article looks at why a circle stands for something without end, and is careful about the parts that are uncertain.

Why is a circle a symbol of eternity?

Because you can trace it without ever reaching an end. The Gemological Institute of America says this is why the Egyptians used the ring, along with the fact that the circle reflects the shape of the sun and the moon, which they worshipped. It adds that the open space in the middle was seen as a gateway to the unknown.

What is the ouroboros?

A serpent biting its tail. The Gemological Institute says Egyptian ouroboros rings showed a serpent swallowing its tail, representing the eternal cycle of things, and that the ouroboros is one of the oldest symbols in the world. Its name means “tail devourer” in Greek.

How old are wedding rings?

That depends on the source. Jewelry-trade histories commonly trace exchanged rings to ancient Egypt, and the dates they give vary widely, with about 3000 BCE a common figure. Those early dates are not firmly documented, so treat them as approximate. Gabriel & Co. says the earliest Christian use of rings dates to about the 9th century, when the Church began blessing them, and that the band was said to mirror the eternity of God’s love.

Are wreaths circles too?

Yes. The Journal of Antiques and Collectibles says the wreath was first documented in ancient Greece, where it symbolized the circle of eternal life. See Why Do We Put Flowers on Graves?.

What about mourning rings?

They use the same idea. Gabriel & Co. says some old rings held hidden notes or locks of hair, and that mourning rings, worn in remembrance, served as promises that love endures beyond a lifetime. For questions about what to do with a ring after a death, see Who Gets Your Wedding Ring? and Who Gets Mom’s Jewelry?.

Is the meaning the same everywhere?

No, and no single reading covers every tradition. In a modern memorial, a circle can simply mean a bond that continues. For related symbols, see Why Does the Lotus Symbolize Death and Rebirth? and Symbols of Life and Death.