Guide To Wearing Your Engagement And Wedding Rings
Diamond engagement rings have been exchanged as part of wedding traditions for hundreds of years. Theyve become universally recognized as symbols of promise, devotion and everlasting love A Diamond Is Forever. But on which hand and finger should your engagement and wedding rings be worn, and how are they worn around the world?
Why Is The Wedding Ring Worn On The Left Hand
Science has since proven that every single finger has veins running to the heart. However, that hasn’t stopped engaged and married individuals from keeping up with this wedding tradition. The science might not all be there, but the romantic notion remains.
Monger also believes Americans continue to wear their wedding rings on the left hand as a matter of convenience as well as tradition. Considering approximately 10 percent of the population is left-handed, “the left hand is, as a rule, not used as much as the right,” he writes.
However, there are plenty of people around the world who don’t wear their wedding rings on their left ring finger. According to wedding ring seller My Trio Rings, couples opt to wear their wedding rings on the right hand in India, where the left hand is considered unclean, and Orthodox Christians also customarily wear their wedding bands on their right hands. That tradition began due to the evil association with the word “left””sinister” comes from a Latin word that means “on the left side,” Merriam-Webster notes.
Ultimately, how you decide to wear your wedding ring is up to you. Though tradition dictates that you should wear it on your left ring finger, there’s nothing wrong with switching it up and putting that ring on your right hand if you’d like!
Do People In Other Countries Wear Engagement Rings On The Other Hand
One of our recent visitors to our Isle of Wight jewellery showroom was born in Russia. During a conversation with my colleague, she referred to the Russian convention for wearing engagement rings and wedding rings. When she lived in Russia, ladies wore their engagement ring and wedding ring on their right hand.
In the event of a divorce, it was common practice to remove rings from the right hand, replacing them on the left side. It was funny to think that the Western convention gave the impression of a divorced status in her country of origin.
Do you have another convention to comment on? If so, leave a comment on this post. We would love to hear of any other countries where rings go on the other hand.
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Which Countries Have The Same Ring Tradition As Britain
Currently, among the English-speaking countries, USA, Ireland, South Africa, Canada, Australia and New Zealand follow the same engagement ring custom as people in the UK wearing their rings on the fourth finger of the left hand.
Elsewhere in the world, Turkey, Jordan, Mexico, Sweden, Finland, Croatia, Slovenia and Romania also share it.
This same tradition also continues in Egypt and Italy the two countries where the left hand, fourth finger custom was originally forged.
Rings To Wear On Your Pinky Finger
Statement Ring
Despite its small size, the pinky, positioned at the periphery of the hand, can visually handle surprisingly bold rings. A statement ring that features a large and classically cut gemstone is the perfect piece for a pinky.
Signet Ring
In the West, in particular, a signet ring is often worn on the pinky, because it attracts attention without interfering with the operation of the hand. A perusal of classics films, vintage fashion magazines, or old photographs will illustrate how popular these rings were. Image Credit: The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Association Ring
Whether it marks your membership in a fraternal club, a professional organization, or a loyal body of alumni, a ring that conveys your association with a particular group or school is an excellent choice for your pinky finger, because it will be located on such a visible part of your hand. Via Wikimedia.
Astrological Significance
Fittingly enough, the pinky finger is associated with the Greek god Hermes, known to the Romans as Mercury, the messenger of the gods. This association reinforces the pinky finger as a way to communicate about yourself.
Accordingly, we recommend that you feel especially free to wear on your pinky finger whatever stones are the most meaningful to you. If you prefer to emphasize stones associated with Hermes, consider vibrant stones like amber, citrine, or carnelian.
Whats the Significance of that Stone?
Carnelian
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On Which Hand Is A Wedding Ring Worn After Divorce
Let us start with whether there is such a will at all. Most divorced people stop wearing wedding rings. Many married couples decide to take off their wedding jewelry already at the stage of the breakdown of the relationship, even before the divorce. No wonder: if specific rings are a symbol of a particular marriage, and it falls apart, the symbol loses its validity.
If the divorcees decide to wear wedding rings, they transfer them from right to left hand. Most, however, take off the marriage ring and hide it in a casket as a souvenir, dispose of it or give it to the child who was the fruit of this union.
Select Jewelry That Tells Your Story
We all go through moments that shape us. Think back on your story for a moment. As you recall past experiences and milestones, you may realize specific themes arising. You might see themes such as resilience, determination, or hope radiating through your story.
When choosing jewelry that has sentimental qualities, you might want to select statement pieces that represent these things.
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Wearing Engagement And Wedding Rings On Which Finger
Which finger should you wear an engagement and wedding ring on? You might be surprised to find out that there are at least 7 different variations to this custom in Britain and around the world. In this article youll get:
- The British ring traditions
- The growing trend of mens engagement rings
- Which tradition is for you?
What Is The Symbolism Of Wearing A Wedding Ring On Your Right Hand
The symbolism of wearing a wedding ring on your right ring finger is colorful and storied. 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.
However, some also say the Romans wore their wedding rings on the fourth finger of the left hand because of whats known as the Vein of Love. This vein was believed to run directly from the hand to the heart. Perhaps they evolved as a culture from one to the other.
Either way, its probably wise to take both of these stories with a grain of salt. Today, though placing the wedding band on the left hand is common, there are many countries and many reasons some couples choose to wear their wedding ring on the right hand.
Some reasons that people might wear their wedding rings on the right hand versus the left hand or vice versa include:
- Cultural differences
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Which Is The Engagement Ring Finger
So, which finger should I wear my engagement ring on? Many cultures and people in many nations continue the ages-old tradition of also wearing an engagement ring on the fourth finger of the left hand. Once that person is married, the wedding ring goes first with the engagement ring placed directly after. Its likely that this custom reflects marriage trumping engagement in terms of ceremony and commitment.
That said, there are lots of people who choose the right hand for their engagement ring finger. Indeed, in some countries, both wedding and engagement rings are customarily worn on the
right. Perhaps loved-up folks in Switzerland have the right idea. The Swiss typically wear their engagement ring on the right ring finger and wedding band on the left. Maybe that makes sense from a statement perspective, with both hands adorned by something attractive and meaningful.
The ancient tradition of only women wearing engagement rings is based on somewhat archaic principles that linger now as what weve always done. In the olden days, the engagement ring was a form of insurance or promise of marriage. Should he get cold feet, the bride-no-longer-to-be had something of value to make up for her disappointment. A cynic might add that chaps also liked hiding their taken status for as long as possible before the wedding.
But Wait Which Finger Is A Promise Ring Worn On
Engagement rings are not to be confused with promise rings. Long ago, promise rings used to symbolize an engagement was to follow, but nowadays, that notion may not necessarily be true. The promise ring from the sixteenth century has a much different connotation today as many people choose to wear one to symbolize love or an exclusive relationship.
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History Of The Left Hand Ring
The Gemological Institute of America explains that Ancient Egyptians placed a wedding ring on the fourth finger on the left hand for symbolic reasons.They believed that location was significant due to a vein that ran from that finger to the heart, which they called the vena amoris or vein of love. Although the vena amoris isnt a real part of the human anatomy , the tradition was already rooted and now repeated in many cultures.
Left or Right Hand By Country
The cultures of the world are diverse in endless ways including foods, dances, religion, worldviews, traditions, holidays, and even wedding ring fingers. The reason for each country wearing their wedding ring on the left or right hand is rooted in tradition or belief systems that they find important and symbolic in their culture.
| LEFT HAND |
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!
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Significance Of The Ring Finger
You may be asking, Why do people wear wedding rings on the fourth finger of the left hand? There is a long history of wedding rings that varies by culture, but this practice comes from the Ancient Romans or possibly from the Ancient Egyptians.
In Ancient Rome, it was believed that there was a vein on the fourth finger on the left hand that ran directly to the heart. This vein was called the Vena Amoris, or the vein of love. It was common practice to wear wedding rings on this finger, because the veins were connected directly to your heart.
In modern times, this theory has been disproven: its not anatomically correct that a vein runs directly from your ring finger to your heart. Its still a lovely story, however, and many couples still choose to wear their rings on the fourth finger of their left hand anyway. This placement often signifies that you are engaged, married, or in an otherwise committed relationship.
In some cultures, its actually more common to wear wedding bands on the ring finger of the right hand instead of the left. This is common practice in places like Russia and Greece.
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.
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Can You Wear Your Wedding Ring On Your Right Hand
Rawpixel/Shutterstock.com
Your wedding ring finger doesn’t have to be on your left hand. While tradition singles out the left ring finger as the ideal option, modern trends allow us to pick and choose how to wear our rings. It’s perfectly acceptable to wear your wedding ring or engagement ring on either hand and any finger. In fact, you don’t have to wear a ring at all â the choice is up to you and your partner to decide what fits your lifestyle best.
Which Finger Do You Wear Your Engagement Ring On
Given this knowledge, most wearers dictate their fourth finger on their left hand as their engagement ring finger. Since it’s become so mainstream over the years, the engagement ring finger is generally known to be on the left hand. However, there aren’t any steadfast rules about ways you must wear your wedding jewelry. If the ring feels comfortable on another finger or your opposite hand, you can wear it wherever you please.
Bonphotage Fine Art Photography
If you’re planning your wedding and looking down at that sparkler, you’re probably wondering how you’ll wear your engagement ring on your wedding day. The first thing to note is that married people typically wear their wedding bands closer to their heartsâin other words, below the engagement ring.
Probably the most popular way to swing this is to move your engagement ring to your right hand for your walk down the aisle. That way, your fiance can slide your wedding band onto your left hand, and you can then later place your engagement ring on top of it.
“Usually people have slightly larger ring sizes on the right hand, but as long as it is within a quarter of the size, this should work,” Ghanimian says. If the engagement ring is too big or too small to do thisâor you just don’t want to take the engagement ring off âit’s okay to put your band above your engagement ring. Some people even have their wedding band soldered to the engagement ring so that it becomes one piece of jewelry and represents the marital bond.
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Which Finger Does A Wedding Ring Go On For Men And Women
- Sandra Holbrook
- Entertainment
Confused about which finger does a wedding ring go on? In most of the western world and Europe, its tradition to wear your wedding ring on the fourth finger of your left hand.
However, there are several countries where wedding rings are worn on the right hand instead. So which finger does a wedding ring go on? The overkill of tradition when it comes to wedding ceremonies has made this a difficult question, but heres where you can finally get some simple answers.
Why Is The Left Ring Finger For Marriage
The ritual of exchanging wedding rings may be traced back to ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, and ancient Rome, among other civilizations. Every tribe in the world has chosen to wear their wedding rings on the fourth finger of their left hands because they think that there is a vein on this finger that leads straight to the heart.
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Do You Wear Your Engagement Ring After You Get Married
Yes! Most people wear both their engagement ring and wedding band once theyve tied the knot. If you have a gorgeous diamond engagement ring, why not keep wearing it?
If for some reason you only want to wear your wedding ring, it is okay to take off the engagement ring. Keep it somewhere safe or wear it on special occasions if youre worried about wearing it every day.
The Ceremony Of Putting On Wedding Rings During The Wedding Vow
How is it now? During a church wedding, the priest no longer places the wedding rings directly on his hands. After the first part of the marriage vow, when the newlyweds vow love, faithfulness and marital honesty and the priest blesses them, the marriage is sealed with wedding rings.
The priest says the line: May God bless these rings, which you are to put on each other as a sign of love and fidelity and holy the rings. Then he addresses the couple with the words: As a sign of marriage, put on your rings and gives the couple a plate with rings.
The young people themselves reach for the rings and say one another , simultaneously putting the rings on the ring finger of the right hand:
Husband: , accept this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Wife: , accept this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
After the words of the oath and the gesture of putting on the wedding rings, the marriage is considered to be concluded.
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