The Traditional Ring Finger Meaning
The tradition of wearing an engagement and/or wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand is a romantic oneâbut the meaning is totally untrue. Kristen Lawler-Trustey, a spokeswoman for jewelry brand Forevermark, explains that the ancient Romans believed this finger had a vein that ran directly to the heartâthe Vena Amoris, or “Vein of Love.” So of course, couples in love should wear the symbol of their love and devotion on that lifeline.
Today, we know there’s no such vein , yet the tradition of wearing the engagement and wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand continues here in the US. But there are some countries, says Zaven Ghanimian, CEO of Simon G Jewelry, where the ring finger of the right hand is the more popular choice for brides and grooms to wear their rings, like in Russia, Greece and Colombia.
Want to know more about which finger and hand to wear your wedding, engagement or promise ring? Read on.
Would You Wear Your Wedding Rings
Asked by: Marcelle Huel
Absolutely! The choice often comes down to personal or cultural preference. Some women opt to wear their wedding ring on the left ring finger and their engagement ring on the right ring finger. Whether you choose to uphold a time-old tradition or create your very own is entirely up to you.
What Is The Right Ring Finger For
Rings worn on the right ring finger are frequently connected with concepts such as love and relationships, creativity, beauty, and romance, among other things. Eternity bands, for example, are sometimes given to spouses as a way to mark the beginning of a significant milestone in the marriage, and wives frequently choose to wear them on the right ring finger as well.
Recommended Reading: Which Hand Wedding Ring Female
You May Like: What To Say In Wedding Vows
In What Order Should I Wear Rings On My Ring Finger
Your engagement ring goes on your left hand ring finger, the same as the wedding ring. For that reason, on your wedding day youll have a couple of choices.
Lots of people stack their wedding and engagement rings and wear both of them on the left hand ring finger. In the UK, those with engagement rings wear them on top of the wedding ring, meaning that the wedding ring is placed on the finger first. This is because superstition states that the wedding ring should never be taken off.
Before you walk down the aisle, you should switch your engagement ring to your right hand. When the wedding ceremony is over, you can then slide your engagement ring on top of the wedding ring to seal it in place.
If you dont want to wear both your engagement ring and wedding ring on the same hand, there are a couple of things you can do.
You could move your engagement ring to the ring finger on your right hand, you could weld the rings together and create a bespoke ring or you could forgo wearing an engagement ring altogether.
Whatever you decide to do, the most important thing is that you wear your jewellery in a way that is comfortable for you.
If you dont want to follow tradition, youre actually more than welcome to wear your wedding ring on your right hand. You make the rules!
But if you choose to wear your wedding ring on your right hand, youll be in good company! Married couples in the following countries tend to wear their ring on the right hand:
Which Finger Does Your Engagement Ring Go On
In some traditions, engagement rings are worn on the ring finger of the left hand, as is the same for wedding rings.
In Western cultures, the engagement ring is the classic symbol of love and commitment. It serves as a statement that two people are engaged to be married , and has become an essential to many proposals across the globe.
As both the engagement ring and the wedding ring are worn on the same finger, when getting married, youll have a few options on how to wear both items. Its common for people to stack both rings on the same finger, the wedding ring placed on the bottom of the finger whilst the engagement ring is worn on top of this.
This is common practice, as it means the engagement ring can be taken off without needing to remove the wedding band, which superstition dictates should never be taken off once married.
On the day of your wedding, before walking down the aisle, it might be best to wear your engagement ring on your right hand. Then, once the ceremony is over, you can seal the wedding band in place by sliding the engagement ring on top of it.
Whilst these may be the more traditional ways to wear an engagement ring, many people do not follow these rules. As with any item of jewellery, its important that you wear an engagement ring the way you like best, especially given that itll be with you for a lifetime!
Don’t Miss: Who Can Officiate A Wedding In Florida
Can I Wear My Engagement Ring And Wedding Ring On Different Fingers
Sure! You can wear your engagement ring and wedding ring on different fingers or even different hands.
Its common for married folks to wear the wedding band and engagement ring on the same finger, and some people even get the rings fused together into one larger ring. But if youd rather separate the rings, its totally up to you!
You could wear your rings on different fingers or hands based on your cultural or religious beliefs, or even just because you like how it looks! How you wear your jewelry is completely up to you theres no right or wrong way.
Why Do Some People Wear Their Wedding Ring On The Right Hand
If you do not wish to adhere to custom, there is nothing stopping you from putting your wedding ring on your right hand. You should be the one who gets to decide how things work!Pin
Some people choose to do this because they find it to be more comfortable, while others do it because they feel that it gives them a more attractive appearance. However, you should be aware that in some cultures, it is customary to wear the wedding band on the left hand. If you move the ring to the right hand, this may be interpreted as a sign that you have lost your spouse and are no longer married.
It is not inappropriate for you to wear your ring on the right hand if that is how you like to do so nevertheless, you should be aware that in the UK, some individuals may believe that the band represents a different connotation because of where it is worn.
But if you decide to wear your wedding band on your right hand, youll be joining a large number of other people who do the same thing! It is customary for married couples in some countries, including Bulgaria, Germany, Norway, Russia, Denmark, and Poland, to wear their wedding rings on the right hand.
Because the left hand was regarded as dirty and unfortunate in India, people have always worn their wedding bands on the right hand. Orthodox Christians and Greek brides and grooms traditionally wear their wedding rings on the right hand. The right hand is also the traditional position for Western wedding rings.
Also Check: What Is The Most Expensive Wedding Dress
What Finger Does A Woman Wear Her Wedding Band On
Throughout the U.S. and many other parts of the world, most women wear their wedding bands on the same finger the left-hand ring finger. Have you ever wondered why, or where this tradition comes from? Do brides and married women have to wear it on that finger? Keep reading to learn more about the tradition behind the left ring finger and what it represents.
Why Wear A Wedding Band On The Left
The ring finger is the fourth finger on the hand, and most brides wear their engagement and wedding bands on that finger of the left hand. However, it’s not the same in all cultures and countries. In parts of Europe, women wear their wedding jewelry on the right-hand ring finger instead. In certain cultures, the right hand is used as part of the physical representation of entry into other vows and oaths, which is why these cultures may also use the right hand for their wedding bands.
Some believe that the ring is worn on the ring finger of either hand because that particular digit has a vein that runs directly to the heart. This legend stems from the early Romans, who had a legend that referred to the vein as the Vena Amoris, or vein of love. As a result, the ring finger became a meaningful representation of the two hearts of the people being married and their love for each other.
Our modern-day understanding of biology and human anatomy shows that all your fingers have veins that connect to the heart. Yet the ring finger remains as one of the most popular locations for wedding and engagement bands.
Recommended Reading: What To Wear To A Summer Morning Wedding
What Hand Does The Engagement Ring Go On
When you get engaged, most people wear their engagement ring on the standard ring finger, the fourth finger of the left hand. This is standard practice for newly engaged women and men.
On the actual wedding day, however, many brides and grooms transfer their engagement ring from the left hand to the right hand. This is to make things easier during the exchange of rings at the wedding ceremony.
When you exchange rings, you typically put your new wedding ring on your ring finger. Keeping the engagement ring on your right hand makes it easier to slide the wedding band on the left hand ring finger.
After the ceremony, its common practice to move the engagement ring back to the left hand, on top of the wedding ring. This makes for a smooth transition as you begin your marriage and put your rings together.
Learn more about ring wearing etiquette!
Should You Wear Your Rings All The Time
Some women wear their rings all the time and never remove them, but this can create some physical issues. Finger swelling due to physical changes or temperature swings can make it difficult to get the rings off, while sleeping with rings on can cause damage to the jewelry. It’s best to remove your rings at night and give your fingers a break as you rest.
Shopping for a new ring for yourself or a special someone? At Martin Busch Jewelers, we have a large selection of beautiful engagement and wedding bands, as well as the option to create your own custom piece.
Recommended Reading: What To Say On Your Wedding Invitation
Wearing Your Wedding Band Creativly
Can I Wear My Rings All The Time
It might be tempting to keep your rings on all the time, but we recommend removing them occasionallyespecially during certain activitiesto avoid scratching the metal or clouding up the stone. Your day-to-day activities wont harm your wedding rings, but heres when you should remove them:
- When working heavily with your hands
- When working with harsh cleaning chemicals
- While lifting weights
Also Check: What Is The Average Wedding Gift
What Does A Wedding Ring On The Right Hand Mean
Some that believe the Romans used to wear their wedding rings on the right hand, possibly because in Roman culture, the left hand was thought of as being unreliable, untrustworthy, and even sinister by some. Meanwhile, the right hand was considered symbolic of honor and trust.
Where does the bride and groom put the wedding ring?
In a traditional Philippine wedding, a bride and groom exchange wedding rings during a Catholic wedding. The ring is placed on each others fourth finger on their left hand.
Can I wear my wedding ring on my right hand?
As mentioned before, wedding rings are most often worn on the fourth finger from the right on the left hand, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom. But, youre also welcome to wear your wedding ring on the right-hand ring finger.
What is the fifth finger called?
little fingerAfter the thumb, the index finger, the middle finger, and the ring finger, we come to the fifth digit, the little finger. It was known in Latin as digitus minimus, but in Scotland the little finger is often called the pinkie.
Engagement Rings For Men
This small but growing trend is partly a sign of growing gender and sexual equality, with the legalisation of same-sex marriage in the UK making mens engagement rings more sought after.
For the other part, the trend it is celebrity-driven, and therefore most prevalent among the fashion conscious. Celebrities have generally made it more acceptable, or even desirable, for men to wear jewellery, such as diamond earrings.
You May Like: Where To Buy Wedding Suits
The Meaning Behind Wearing Wedding Rings On Your Right Hand
Weddings come with many norms and traditions that span across cultures and societies all over the world. No two cultures are the same. Manyif not mostcustoms and traditions are wildly different. Thats why culture clash is a real thing.
Perhaps the most prominent wedding tradition is the exchange of wedding rings between two people. Depending on where youre from, the finger you choose to wear your ring on and the hand you wear your wedding ring on might look very different from couples in other countries.
For example, in American tradition, when a person gets engaged, they put their engagement ring on their left hand, while tradition in other countries is a right hand ring. Its common on the actual wedding day to also add the wedding band to your engagement ring finger. But, this tradition isnt the norm for all cultures.
Wear Engagement Ring On One Ring Finger And Wedding Band On The Other
Another option, though less traditional, is to wear the engagement ring on one ring finger on the left hand and the wedding band on the right hands ring finger. This way is good for those with short fingers, who dont like having so many rings on one finger. Also, some women do not have a wedding ring set that matches , and so, the wedding band may not look good with the engagement ring. Similarly, the ring may be so stunning that it is needed to be displayed on its own without distraction.
Don’t Miss: Does Fleet Farm Have A Wedding Registry
Why Do Some Wear Wedding Rings On Their Right Hand
Although some Western traditions dictate that the wedding ring should be worn on the ring finger of the left hand, there are others who, down to preference or their own traditions, will place the ring on their right hand.
Below is a list with just some of the countries that commonly wear this ring on their right hand:
Many wear their wedding rings on their right hand due to tradition in India, for example, the wedding band is worn on the right hand as it was considered that the left hand is impure and unclean.
The wedding band can also be worn on this hand simply down to preference. After all, its your wedding ring, and you should choose to wear it however you want!
What Do Black Wedding Rings Mean
Black can signify power, courage, or strength, as well as show conviction or belief. In relation to marriage, a black ring can symbolize the power of love. Wearing black rings can be a way for a couple to show that they are dedicated to their marriage and that they believe in the strength of their union above all else.
Also Check: When To Send Out Wedding Save The Dates
Is It Bad Luck To Wear A Ring On Your Engagement Finger
Some believe its a bad omen to wear a ring on the left ring finger before youre actually engaged, as this could send the message that you are taken. In years past, seeing an engagement ring on a womans finger could be confusing for potential suitors, who might not have been able to ask politely about her
Read Also: When To Shop For Wedding Dress
