Thursday, March 28, 2024

Latest Posts

Which Hand Is Wedding Ring On

Wedding Ring Historylooking Back In Time

Which HAND Does a Wedding Ring Go On | Wedding Ring Finger

The first inklings of wedding rings came into being during the time of the Ancient Egyptians well over 3,000 years ago. Some even believe it was closer to 5,000 years ago, but either way, we can agree it was very far back in time!

According to some of the writings found by historians, couples in those days exchanged a type of wedding ring that was a foreshadowing of wedding rings today.

These rings were typically made from easily degradable materials like hemp, reed, rushes, and sedges. Of course, rings like this didnt last very long, so new materials were eventually introduced that were stronger. People began to fashion rings from less degradable materials like leather, bone, and ivory.

The more costly the material the ring was made from, the more it was thought to be a sign of how much that person loved the rings recipient. Rings during that time were also a wealth and status symbol among communities. The more expensive the material your jewelry was made from, the more money you were thought to be worth.

The Egyptians also appeared to believe rings symbolize eternal love and commitment, which is precisely what wedding bands still signify, even today. Wedding rings continued to evolve over time and history, fashioned from different materials, such as yellow gold, and designed in many styles, but one thing hasnt changed since ancient Egypt. They are still the ultimate symbol of undying devotion, tying two peoples hearts together for eternity.

What Finger Does A Promise Ring Go On

Unlike engagement and wedding rings, the promise ring is a tradition dating back to the 16th century that’s commonly misunderstood, since the ring used to signify the promise that an engagement would ensue. Now, that’s not always the case, since some couples might not be ready for impending marriage, but want to show their commitment somehow.

So, what is a promise ring exactly? Today, a promise ring can have any number of personal meanings typically it’s a symbol of an exclusive relationship and/or of love. “The gifting of promise rings has been an age-old tradition, for couples who are in a steady relationship, and symbolizing their newfound love and commitment to each other,” Lawler-Trustey says.

It can also mean the couple has promised to one day get married. Or in the case of purity rings, they may have promised to remain abstinent until their wedding day. Some believe promise rings are pre-engagement ringsâand while it isn’t always, it can be. “Many times, engagement rings inspire responses of ‘How did he propose, when’s the date, what are your colors and where are you getting married?’ If you don’t want to jump into the wedding planning process, a couple may choose to go with a promise ring,” Ghanimian says. “It’s a symbol that marriage is where the relationship is headed eventually, when you’re both ready.”

What Hand Does A Wedding Ring Go On For A Man

There’s a quick answer to the question “What hand does a wedding ring go on for a man?” and that answer is: The left hand.

But when you dig deeper, men’s wedding rings have a long history that varies from culture to culture. The more complex answer to the question is: It depends.

Yes, traditionally wedding rings, at least in America, go on the left ring finger for both women and men. This tradition stems from a belief that goes back to the Tudor era in England in the 1500s that there’s a vein that runs directly from the left ring finger to the heart. That belief may even go back as far as Ancient Rome. That meant that when a man put a ring on a woman’s left ring finger, he was making a claim to her heart.

There is no such vein, of course. But it’s not surprising that a romantic tradition like that has lasted for centuries, since we all want to believe in love.

You’ll notice that the tradition back in the Tudor days was just for a man putting a ring on the woman’s finger. That’s because men didn’t yet wear wedding rings. Through the centuries, though, many men have wanted to wear wedding rings just like women do as a symbol of enduring love and commitment.

The left ring finger may be the choice for most Americans when it comes to women’s and men’s wedding rings, but not all cultures agree. In many countries, the ring finger of the right hand is where the wedding ring goes for both men and women.

Also Check: Who Buys The Wedding Rings

Ring Fingers: History Significance & General Faqs

The ring finger is the designated finger on your hand in which you wear your engagement ring and wedding band. Historically and around many cultures, all the fingers have been used as the ring finger, including the thumb. But the most famous and popular engagement ring finger remains, till this day, to be the fourth finger of your hand, right next to the pinky finger. While different cultures have different hands for wearing the ring, the most common ring finger etiquette is to wear it on the left hand. In some places, like Syria, Brazil, and Lebanon, the women wear the engagement ring on the right hand, and after the wedding ceremony, they transfer it to the left hand.

A Brief History Of Wedding Rings

Which Hand for Engagement Rings Wedding Rings &  Eternity 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.

Also Check: Wedding Venues In Spring Tx

Guide To Wearing Your Engagement And Wedding 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?

The Left Vs Right Debate: What Hand Does The Engagement Ring Go On

There is historical documentation of wedding rings not only being worn on different hands, but different fingers too, including the index finger and thumb, according to Smith. Today, its most commonly worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, depending on where youre located in the world .

For those in Western cultures, the left hand is considered the correct spot for a wedding band, based on the theory around the vena amoris, or the vein of love. Nuboer explains that people believe this nerve connects the ring finger of the left hand directly to the heart, symbolizing a close connection to eternal love, devotion, trust, and loyalty. This belief could date back to the ancient Egyptians themselves, according to Kaeleigh Testwuide, the owner and founder of The Diamond Reserve.

However, today, in many Eastern cultures, Testwuide says the right hand is where people choose to display their wedding band. This also includes many countries in Europe, like Denmark, Norway, Poland, Italy, and Spain. “This dates back to ancient Rome where it was believed the left hand was not reliable, and some cultures in India saw it as unclean,” she explains.

Ultimately, when it’s time to decide what hand the engagement ring goes on, it’s important to remember that there’s no right or wrong way to do it. As a symbol of your commitment and marital bond, the goal is to be unified with your fiancé on how you sport this important piece of jewelry, so the final decision is yours.

Also Check: Where Can I Get My Wedding Dress Preserved

What If Your Engagement Ring Wont Fit On Your Right Hand Or What If Your Engagement Ring Gets Stuck

There are two suggestions in this instance. Either leave your engagement ring on the existing finger. If you can remove your engagement ring, you could leave it in trust with a relative during the ceremony.

Your ring might be challenging to take off due to swollen fingers, or even due to enlarged knuckles. If you really cannot remove the ring, our advice would be to seek professional help. It simply is not healthy to wear jewellery so tight that it becomes unremovable.

The Origins Of How To Wear Wedding Rings And Engagement Rings

Origins: Why does the wedding ring go on our left hand?

Like many stories from ancient times, the origin of wedding rings is murky and unclear, since much of the documentation didnt make it through centuries of evolution. However, according to Toni Zehrer, the senior vice president and chief merchandising officer for Signet Jewelers, some research indicates that wedding rings were derived from ancient Egypt, dating back thousands of years. During this period, she says Egyptian rings portrayed a serpent swallowing its tail, which was called ‘ouroboros’ and symbolized eternity. “They believed the ring, or eternal circle, is symbolic of the eternal love and nature of a marriage, and the open center was said to be a portal for the couple to explore life together,” she explains.

When Alexander the Great conquered the Egyptians, he continued the tradition of the wedding ring and used it as a symbol of devotion, except with Eros and Cupid now as the stars. “When the ancient Romans conquered Greece, they too adopted this tradition and utilized iron and copper rings in wedding ceremonies,” says Zehrer. “Wedding rings began to evolve to show off wealth and be more customized by incorporating different metals, such as gold, and precious gemstones, like diamonds, that are symbolic.”

You May Like: How To Keep Wedding Rings Together

Is It Okay To Shower With Your Wedding Ring On

We would advise against showering with your wedding ring on. When youre showering, theres a chance that your ring could slip off of your finger and go down the drain before you can catch it. Its not worth the risk of losing your wedding ring, both for sentimental value and the actual cost of the ring!

Wearing your rings in the shower can also lead to damage, as all the soaps and shampoos may not be good for the metal or the gemstone itself. Its best practice to simply remove your ring and keep it somewhere safe while you shower.

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.

Recommended Reading: What Do You Wear To A Black Tie Wedding

On Which Hand Is The Wedding Ring Worn

When the engagement ring is swapped onto the right hand just prior to the wedding ceremony, it allows the wedding ring to be placed onto the left hand, which is the hand that is closest to the heart. Following the ceremony, the engagement ring is put on top of the new wedding band, which completes the ritual.

Contents

The History Of The Ring Finger And Where To Wear Your Engagement Ring

5: 6mm Mens Wedding Band On Hand

Its common knowledge that engagement rings and wedding bands are standard practice when it comes to getting married. But theres one thing that you might not have considered before: What hand does the engagement ring go on? Unless youve done the research ahead of time, theres a good chance youll be left feeling confused in the moment when its time to put on your own diamond ring or wedding bandbut thats what were 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, weve got your guide to the origins, history, and traditions of what hand the engagement ring goes on.

Dont Miss:

Also Check: How To Plan A Wedding In 3 Months

Ring Fingers And Their Meanings

There is no doubt that rings add to your beautiful jewelry collection. However, depending on what kind of ring youre 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

Who Holds The Ring

Youve scoured through the options of custom rings for men and designed the perfect wedding band that matches both your personality and the ring chosen for your soon-to-be spouse. Now, what happens with that ring on the day of the ceremony? Tradition has it that someone else holds onto the rings leading up to the moment when they are shared between the newly married couple. So, which of your groomsmen do you trust with them?

The choice is a personal one, but this task is often filed beneath best man responsibilities. There are no specific laws or regulations dictating who has to have this grand responsibility rested on their back, but its easiest to pass it off to your best man. Once the ring bearerlikely one of your nephewsbrings the rings down the aisle, they can be handed off to the best man, where he will secure them in the pocket of his tuxedo pants. Youre welcome to make the endeavor more exciting if you want to, but this is the easiest and most reliable option.

Also Check: What Is The Third Wedding Anniversary Gift

Fitting The Ring In Bride Finger

It is a common custom in Europe and the West to wear the wedding ring on the fourth finger. This is also known as the ring finger. The engagement ring is placed on the right hand before the ceremony. This allows the wedding ring to be placed on the left side, so it can be worn closer to the heart. This does not mean you have to follow this rule if you are from those areas. There are many countries and cultures, such as Russia, Norway, Denmark, Latvia, and Bulgaria that prefer to wear their forever adornments on their right hands. There is no one correct way to wear your wedding rings. Your ring placement could be a matter of tradition, culture, or personal preference.

Archeological evidence suggests that ancient Egyptians wore wedding rings made from bone, leather, and reeds on their left hands as far back as 4000 BC. The tradition was continued by other early civilizations. People in Rome and ancient Greece adopted the fourth finger rule, believing that this finger had a special connection with the heart via a vein they called vena amoris or the vein of Love.

Why Would A Man Wear His Wedding Ring On His Right Hand

Putting A Wedding Ring On My Girlfriends Finger While She’s Asleep..

It is unclear what it means when a man wears a band around his right ring finger. In certain societies, males are more likely than women to wear a wedding band or engagement ring on their right ring finger. Rings worn on the right ring finger are frequently connected with concepts such as love and relationships, creativity, beauty, and romance, among other things.

Also Check: How Much Are Custom Wedding Dresses

What Hand Does A Wedding Ring Go On

Traditionally in the United States, during the time of the ceremony, the wedding ring goes on the left hand. While the ceremony is taking place, the engagement ring is placed on the left hand. This is so that the wedding ring can go on the right hand, closest to the heart. After the ceremony is over, the engagement ring is typically placed above the wedding band and both rings are worn on the same finger, with the wedding band still closest to the heart. While some individuals choose to build their wedding band directly into their engagement ring, others choose to stack multiple rings on their right hand. However, some individuals choose to wear their wedding ring on their right hand. There are many reasons why rings are worn on the right hand.

Latest Posts

Popular Articles

Stay in touch

To be updated with all the latest news, offers and special announcements.