Does Your Wedding Ring Go On Your Left Or Right Hand Why
The tradition of wearing your wedding ring on your left ring finger dates back to Roman times, when it was believed that the vein in the fourth finger of the left hand ran directly to your heart how romantic!
Romans named this vein the vein of love, and placed the ring over it to signify the love the newly married couple shares.
The engagement ring goes on the fourth finger of your left hand for the same reason: in Ancient Rome it was customary for suitors to give their bride a ring prior to marriage as a promise that theyd marry them.
But this isn’t the same in every culture. In Colombia and Brazil, anyone whos engaged wears their engagement ring on their right hand and then moves it over to their left hand after making their vows. Alternatively, in Germany and the Netherlands, they wear their engagement rings on the left hand and then their wedding rings on the right.
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Which Hand Does A Wedding Ring Go On And Why
Picture this: its your wedding day. Youre standing at the altar facing your partner and spouse-to-be, who is looking at you with heart eyes and waiting for you to put a ring on their finger. But wait, you think, which hand does a wedding ring go on again? Today were going to answer that question for you and go into the history of why the wedding ring goes on a specific hand .
The most important thing to keep in mind is: its your hand, your wedding, and at the end of the day, you can choose to wear your ring wherever the heck you want, tradition or not. But today, were talking about the tradition, just so you know the history before making your decision.
Speaking of history, lets go back to the Ancient Romans. Theyre the ones who started the tradition of wearing your ring on the fourth finger of your left hand. In Ancient Rome, it was believed that brides and grooms were supposed to wear their wedding rings on the left hand ring finger because that finger connected to the vena amoris , a vein that connects directly to the heart. Aw!! It makes sense to us that youd want to honor your heart when youre marrying the love of your life.
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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How Many Rings Should A Woman Wear
How Many Rings Should You Wear? While there isnt a right or wrong answer with how many rings you should wear, a generally safe maximum is to have two or three shared between your two hands.
Its possible that youre used to seeing your mothers wedding ring on the outside of her ring finger , but then you see celebrities wearing their beautiful sparklers on the inside. Does it seem like theres a distinction? Are we trying to say something specific?
While most individuals wear their engagement ring on the outside of the top of their finger, you may find that this non-traditional approach appeals to youand not simply for the sake of being different. Another explanation is that your rings seem better when worn in a particular configuration due to their size, shape, or design. Try both of them out, or come up with something entirely new, to find the perfect sequence for your rings.
In some marriages, the engagement ring is hidden away as a symbol of the union and is only brought out on certain occasions. Due to its understated elegance, the wedding ring is often the sole piece of jewellery a woman will wear. Some people switch their engagement ring to their right hand for special occasions, while others wear multiple rings on top of their wedding band.
Many couples celebrate important anniversaries by exchanging rings for a brand-new, multi-piece statement set.
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In This Article
“What finger does the wedding ring go on?” We’re willing to bet you’ve known the answer since you were a child. It’s pretty common for most people, particularly in the United States, to sport their wedding ring on the left ring finger. But why is the wedding ring worn on the “ring finger” in the first place? And do brides and grooms absolutely have to?
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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.
Can A Man Wear His Wedding Ring On His Right Hand
The reason for this is so that he does not accidentally snap it off his finger with his right hand.
Men usually remove their wedding rings when they go to bed or before washing their hands. However, if your husband wears his wedding ring all the time then make sure that you dont throw away any of his belongings. Maybe he got the idea during his marriage counseling session that removing his ring would make him seem more open to his wife.
If your husband insists on wearing his wedding ring all the time then it might be best if you bring this up during a calm moment. You shouldnt criticize but rather express how you feel about this issue being such a big part of his identity.
However, if you have been married for a long time then he might just want to follow tradition and never take off his ring. In this case, you will have to respect his decision.
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In The Uk Which Ring Goes On First
In the UK, women normally wear their engagement ring on top of the wedding ring, meaning that the wedding ring is placed on the finger first. The reason for this is an old British superstition which states that a wedding ring must never be taken off.
During the wedding ceremony the bride puts her engagement ring temporarily on their right hand. This leaves the left hand free for the wedding ring.
When the ceremony is over, the bride slides the engagement ring on top of the new wedding band to seal it in place.
Symbolization Of The Ring Finger
Exchanging wedding rings is a tradition that traces back to Egypt, Greece, and Rome in ancient times. These ancient couples chose to wear their rings on their left hands and fourth finger because they believed a vein existed that connected the ring finger directly to ones heart.
Thus, in theory, these couples believed their hearts were both connected to their rings, and to each other. The ancient Romans even named this vein Vena Amoris which means the vein of love.
However, in modern-day, we discovered that no such vein exists, but the sweet sentiment and tradition of wearing engagement rings and wedding rings on ones fourth finger stuck around.
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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
How Should I Wear My Engagement Ring During The Wedding Ceremony
A: Many brides-to-be will switch their engagement ring to their right hand before walking down the aisle, so the wedding band can be slipped on to the left hand first. Brides will then move their engagement ring on top of the wedding band during or after the ceremony. Some people choose to get their engagement and wedding rings soldered together after the ceremony to make their bridal set one unified piece.
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What Are Other Ways To Wear An Engagement Ring
After the wedding and throughout marriage, tastes and styles may change, and there are several ways to continue to wear engagement rings and wedding bands.
A traditional style is to wear both the wedding ring and the engagement ring on the same ring finger. Depending on the style of your engagement and wedding ring, this may mean the wedding ring first, followed by the engagement ring or as in some cases we’ve designed a wedding band to accentuate the top of an engagement ring.
Some choose to wear the wedding band solo on the left hand and keep their engagement ring on the right hand, or on another finger on their left hand.
One style we’ve seen grow in popularity is to add stacking rings to wear alongside and highlight their engagement ring, whether on the ring finger or on other fingers.
Another option is to solder the engagement ring and wedding band together so they become one piece of jewelry. If its known that theyre always going to be worn together, this makes a great choice since it will keep the rings perfectly aligned and can even represent the marital bond. This being said, we recommend that you try wearing both rings for some time before making the decision to solder them together permanently. Its always good to have the option of leaving your engagement ring at home, especially when travelling or engaging in vigorous activities.
Wedding band and engagement ring worn on the same finger.
Wearing an engagement ring alone on the ring finger.
What Hand Do You Wear Your Wedding Ring
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.
Youre welcome to wear your wedding ring on the right hand ring finger. In doing so, youd be following the example of many central and northern European couples. The list includes Norway, Austria, Denmark, Poland, Belgium , Germany, Russia, Latvia, Bulgaria, and Ukraine.
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In Conclusion: How Should You Wear Your Engagement And Wedding Ring
Theres something very exciting about all these different traditions weve outlined above. In an increasingly multicultural and gender-fluid society it has become not just acceptable, but fashionable, to borrow exotic wedding and engagement customs from other countries, cultures and lifestyles. And why not? You dont need to follow any particular rule. Simply do what feels right for you.
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What Does A Black Ring 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.
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So Is It Okay To Wear Rings All The Time
So now that you know in what order to place your wedding rings, you might be wondering if its okay to wear rings all the time.
While you may want to keep on seeing the shiny diamond or gold on your fingers at all times, it isnt okay to wear rings all the time.
A reason is that the various elements and surfaces your hands get in touch with every day might be harmful to the band. Although its alright to put it on while engaging in most activities, keep it off while in touch with a hazardous product with harmful chemicals such as hand sanitizers.
Moreover, prolonged exposure to creams, beauty products, and fragrant soaps can result in some accumulation on your gem or underneath it. So desist from bathing with your ring.
A beach is also a place you should avoid brandishing your ring because it might fall off and become hard to find if its a loose one. Besides, sands are corrosive and can be harmful to your rings and ruin their beauty.
Kindly, note that taking off your ring isnt a bad omen as some myths might have it. So do well to take this intelligent decision without worrying about anything.
Wearing A Ring On Your Middle Finger
Although this may be unorthodox, some brides and grooms wear their ring on the middle finger. It may be down to a health complication that an engagement ring or wedding ring is unable to be worn on the usual finger, these may include a break to the finger, amputation, or arthritis.
Some suggest the middle finger represents balance. Although we rarely see rings worn on the mid finger, we advise simple, comfortable designs for wear on the middle finger.
Although the middle finger is at least two sizes larger than the ring finger, another example would be if someone has lost weight.
For rings unsuitable for size adjustments, it might be practical to change which finger on which the ring is worn.
CanadaMark diamond in a modern four claw setting, shown on the correct finger.
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Whats The Proper Wedding Ring Finger
If youre confused about what hand you should wear your wedding rings on, we have good news: As with most wedding traditions, the choice is up to you. You might be familiar with the vein of love tale that prompts most couples to wear their wedding jewelry on the fourth finger of the left hand. But if you like the look of your engagement ring alone on one finger, you can certainly separate both ringsâyou can even wear your stack on your right hand if youd like. While theres no proper wedding ring finger, there are some meaningful reasons why couples often choose the left hand, which we explain below.
Rings Worn On The Left Hand
Brides and grooms in France, the Netherlands, the United States, Great Britain, Australia and many other english-speaking countries traditionally wear their rings on their left hands. This tradition stems from the ancient Greek belief that the vena amoris or vein of love connects the ring finger of the left hand to the heart.
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Are You Supposed To Wear Your Wedding Ring Everyday
Is it possible to wear your engagement ring on a daily basis? The answer is yes. An engagement ring should be worn both before and during the marriage. Its too sad for the engagement ring to stay in the safe since its the most expensive piece of jewelry a woman has.
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On Which Hand Are The Wedding Ring And Engagement Ring Worn
There are three customs about how to wear a wedding ring and an engagement ring after a wedding. To a large extent, it will depend on the womans preferences, the willingness to display both rings, the size of the jewelry or the stylistic fit.
After the wedding, the wedding ring and the engagement ring are worn:
- together on the same hand and on the same finger. Many women wear a wedding band and ring as a set on their right hand, emphasizing the dependence of one ring on the other. If you decide to choose this option, it is worth remembering to match the womens wedding rings to the engagement ring in terms of shape and style.
- . This option is for those women who want both rings to be close, but still, each has its own place. In this situation, the engagement ring translates to the middle finger and the wedding ring goes to the ring finger. However, you should remember about the different sizes of the fingers, so after the wedding, you will have to adjust the engagement ring to the jeweler .
- . If you do not want the wedding ring and the engagement ring to compete with each other, it is worth putting them on your ring fingers, but on separate hands. Then everyone will be able to shine in all its glory and there will be no need to change the size of the engagement jewelry.
Note: according to the rules of savoir-vivre, the engagement ring should be transferred from the right hand to the left hand after the wedding.
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