Wedding Ring On Right Hand Meaning
Ancient Romans are widely credited for sparking the tradition of wearing ones wedding ring on the right hand. During these times, Romans believed that the left hand was unreliable, untrustworthy and unhappy. Similarly, wearing rings only on the right hand was customary in India for several years because the left hand was considered impure.
Luckily, the stigma of wearing a ring on the left hand isnt such a big deal in modern times. However, some countries and cultures still prefer the right hand vs the left or a mix of both. For example, in Germany and the Netherlands, golden engagement rings are worn on the left hand and wedding rings go on the right hand.
Who Wears a Wedding Ring On The Right Hand?
There are several cultures that wear their wedding ring on their right hand instead of their left. Additionally, sometimes the engagement ring is moved from the left hand to the right after marriage, or the bride and the groom wear their rings on different hands post-ceremony.
Recommended Reading: How To Pawn A Wedding Ring
Who Wears Their Wedding Ring On The Right Hand
So we know some reasons why people wear their wedding rings on their right hand, but where is this most common? In Western society, and countries like the USA and United Kingdom, the ring is almost always worn on the left hand. So, lets take a look at some countries where this isnt the case.
Some countries where the ring is worn on the right hand include:
- Russia
- Portugal
- And some parts of Spain.
But, it isnt only different countries that wear the right on the right hand. It is also very common for couples who are in a same-sex union to wear their wedding ring on the right hand. This is simply a part of their culture, so there really is no correct hand to wear your wedding ring on.
Dont Miss: Pawning Engagement Ring
Engagement Ring On The Left Hand: Usa Uk Germany Austria
Wearing the engagement ring on the left hand goes back to a Roman myth: It was long believed that there was a vein of love – the “vena amoris” – leading directly from the fourth finger of the left hand to the heart.
Here is a list of countries that adopted this tradition, and wear the engagement ring on the left hand:
- United States
- Austria
Also Check: Wedding Excel Sheets
Countries Wear Wedding Rings On Left Hand
Although the custom wedding bands are the right hand in many countries, this is not always the case in some cultures. For example, major Western nations like the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Mexico, France, South Africa, etc. In most Asian countries like Japan, the left hand is the preferred placement of the wedding ring. This may be the casethere are also no universal guidelines regarding wedding ring placement. As long as your wedding band does not interfere with your dominant hand, then everything should be fine.
Whats The Proper Wedding Ring Finger
Good news if youre unsure which hand you should wear your wedding bands on: theres no right or wrong answer. As is the case with most wedding customs, the decision is entirely up to you. You may be aware with the legend of the vein of love, which explains why most couples choose to wear their wedding jewelry on the fourth finger of their left hand. For those who like the appearance of their engagement ring on one finger, you may absolutely remove the two bands and wear them separately on your right hand if you so choose.
While there is no correct wedding ring finger, there are several important reasons why couples commonly pick the left hand, which we will explore in more detail further down the page.
Recommended Reading: Does Randy Fenoli Have A Partner
Do Widowers Wear Their Wedding Ring On The Right Hand
It is a common practice for those who have been widowed to move their wedding ring to their right hand. Some people will move their ring to the right hand temporarily, while others will choose to keep it there indefinitely. For people who remarry, it is typical to completely remove a right-handed wedding ring.
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.
You May Like: Wedding Venue Comparison Spreadsheet
Wearing The Engagement Ring Alongside The Wedding Band
For this reason, and because most women fall in love with their engagement ring and do not want to give it up, the engagement ring can be worn on the left hand after the wedding ceremony, and the wedding band can be worn on the right. Having the engagement ring on first, in front of the wedding band, is considerably more attractive after the wedding. Some engagement rings are difficult to match with a wedding ring in certain situations. Some jewelry producers have recognized this issue and are now producing wedding bands that are designed to match the engagement ring.
These models are ideally matched to the appropriate engagement ring, both in terms of the shape of the ring band and the color of the precious metal used in their construction.
Whether you would like to find out if there are any wedding rings that are a great match for your engagement ring, please contact us at +44 20 380 832 99. Or have a look at how simple it is to build your own wedding rings right now on the internet.
The History Of The Ring Finger And Where To Wear Your Engagement Ring
It’s common knowledge that engagement rings and wedding bands are standard practice when it comes to getting married. But there’s one thing that you might not have considered before: What hand does the engagement ring go on? Unless you’ve done the research ahead of time, there’s a good chance you’ll be left feeling confused in the moment when it’s time to put on your own diamond ring or wedding bandbut that’s what we’re here for. To sum it up? The engagement ring finger debate is actually more complicated than you think, and it involves a decent amount of history. The “correct” hand also depends on the wearer, including your culture and where you live. Below, we’ve got your guide to the origins, history, and traditions of what hand the engagement ring goes on.
Don’t Miss: Google Sheets Wedding Budget Template
Countries Wear Wedding Ring On Right Hand
As mentioned, you wont be sanctioned or penalized in any way if you have worn your wedding ring incorrectly. However, it may emit misinformation to the public since theyre a tradition at all and an important aspect of each culture. And wearing them on the proper fingers does indicate meaning. In general, many communities such as the Russians and Polish wear wedding ring on right hand and placed it on the fourth finger, which is similar to the customs of the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. And to give you a more detailed look at which countries wear wedding ring on right hand, here are some examples of nationsIndia, Bulgaria, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Denmark, Austria, Venezuela, etc.
Also, theres a deeper and more spiritual meaning to why many prefer the right hand instead of the left hand. For example, a common Indian belief suggests that the left hand is considered to be unclean and unholy. However, some still prefer and still wear it on the left hand to match the fashion trend in Western culture.
What Hand Does A Mans Wedding Ring Go On
Men commonly follow the above traditions in most Western cultures, men wear their wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand, just like women.
Men and women both can opt to wear their rings differently, however. Some modern couples even forego wedding rings entirely, opting for alternatives like wedding band tattoos or other jewelry instead of rings.
Recommended Reading: Short Notice Wedding Planning Checklist
History Of The Wedding Ring
In the time of Ancient Egypt, rings were given to represent the shape of the sun and moon, which they worshiped, and the circle represented eternity. According to GIA, they also believed a gateway to the unknown or the afterlife was represented by the space within the circle. They even had certain rings designed like a serpent eating its tail, called an ouroboros, that represented the inevitable cycle of all things.
The Greeks adapted the wedding ring tradition to connect with their own culture. While they gave rings to show commitment to their beloved, many had symbols etched of Eros or Cupid, the god of love.
So, while rings have changed over time, the meaning has stood the test of time. Giving your sweetheart a wedding ring shows love, devotion, teamwork, and connection, all the things that marriage still means today. Diamond Mansion knows that the meaning behind the ring is what matters most, and they want you to feel confident in that commitment on your wedding day with the perfect wedding ring.
Ring Fingers And Their Meanings
There is no doubt that rings add to your beautiful jewelry collection. However, depending on what kind of ring you’re wearing on which finger, you can express a lot about yourself without saying a word.
People from different cultures have different traditions and associate different symbols with rings and the finger one chooses to wear them on. Ring symbolism originating from pre-civilization cultures has been carried down through centuries, with each finger on your left and right hand signifying something different – and important.
This article details what each ring finger symbolizes in different cultures worldwide and how you can use this knowledge as a form of expression.
Also Check: What To Give Your Parents On Your Wedding Day
Can I Wear Rings On My Ring Finger If I’m Not Engaged Or Married
An old wives’ tale denotes that wearing a non-committal ring on your left-hand ring finger could be bad luck. Not the superstitious type? If the ring fits, wear it! That being said, wearing a ring on that finger could signify to others that you are in a committed relationship, which might not be ideal if you’re out on the dating scene.
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.
Read Also: Randy Kleinfeld Married
Send Us A Photograph Of Your Wedding Finger Or Engagement Ring Finger
Why not photograph your wedding finger complete with your ring, or rings. Then, email us your photo, and well add it to our blog. Finally, include your name and well add it to a gallery on this post. Well gladly share your photographs. If you wear your ring on a specific finger or hand, tell us why.
Read Also: The Uncommon Ways Men Show Interest Based On Their Zodiac Signs
Rings have different meanings when worn on different fingers and while you may think that your normal is everybodys normal, that is not true at all.
The same Romans who introduced the culture of marriage proposal by presenting a ring and they too who taught us to wear it on the left hand later changed their minds and considered the left hand untrustworthy. This is the origin of the right-hand wedding ring.
In India, they have long worn their rings on the right hand because the left was seen as impure. With changes in recent times, however, this tradition has ebbed away and people can now wear them as they please.
Germany and Netherlands also wear their wedding ring on the right hands while keeping the engagement ring on their right hand. This balance signifies a status change from engaged to married.
Also Check: New Jersey Wedding Officiant
You May Like: Venue Comparison Worksheet
Do You Wear Your Engagement Ring When You Walk Down The Aisle
During the wedding ceremony, it is normal for a bride to put her engagement ring temporarily on their right hand – leaving the left hand free for the wedding ring.
Once the nuptials have been performed, the bride would slide her engagement ring on top of the new wedding band to seal it in place.
Come on in to one of our Adelaide diamond boutiques and select that perfect design or book an engagement ring consultation to create the perfect set for that special day.
Is It Okay To Wear Rings All The Time
While it might be tempting to keep those rings on at all times , you’ll want to avoid any potential damage to the rings like scratching the metal, harming the stones, or disfiguring the setting. You’ll definitely want to remove the the rings when cleaning , going to the gym or participating in other physical activities, and even before bed. Removing your rings at night will not only protect your rings and thwart swelling, but it will also keep you from waking up with scratches.
Have your engagement ring professionally cleaned and checked twice a year. This will not only maintain its brilliance and shine, but also ensure the ring hasn’t been damaged from wear.
Recommended Reading: How To Address Wedding Invitation To Family
A Brief History Of Wedding Rings
Tradition holds that the earliest wedding rings were created in ancient Egypt, when people weaved grasses and reeds into circular patterns to symbolize eternity and wholeness. It was believed by the Egyptians that a vein leading from the fourth finger of the left hand connected straight to the heart, hence they wore their rings on that finger. This is referred to as the vena amoris, or vein of love, by the Romans. After a long period of time, leather, bone, and finally metals such as iron, silver, and gold were utilized to construct wedding bands .
Many married men who were stationed away from home during World War II preferred to wear their wedding bands as a reminder of their wives and families, which marked a significant departure in this tradition for various Western countries.
