Wedding Rings on the Left Hand; Why do we do it?

Wedding traditions are getting the boot. No longer are we stuck to stringent, stuffy rules that dictate how the day must go (although some mother in laws may disagree).

We choose what we want to include in our day, rules be damned, and make way for more personalised practices, intimate weddings with minimalistic dressing and disregarding others, like garter belts or bouquet tosses.

The one tradition that remains strong as ever is wearing the wedding and the engagement ring on the fourth finger of the left or right hand.

The tradition has become so rampant that the fourth finger has officially become the ring finger with traditional folklore prohibiting wearing any other ring on the finger instead, in fear of bad luck.

While such fables can be incredibly misleading, you may want to steer clear of wearing one on the wedding finger if you are out on the dating scene. You wouldn’t want to scare away potential suitors.

If you are not one to blindly follow traditions and wondering why the ring placement is such a huge deal, read along to find out.

Quick Answer – why do we wear wedding rings on the left hand?

As you will see below, it depends on people’s culture and religion which hand the wedding ring is worn on. I’ll assume you’re questioning the western way which is quite simply because we feel the need to do as the romans did.

The ancient romans believed there was a vein that linked the left “ring” finger directly to the heart. Vena Amoris, as it was know, which translates to “vein of love”. if a couple were to wear a ring on this finger, their fate was deem sealed and their love would last forever.

Science has since debunked this, but we kept the tradition.

The Right Hand or the Left Hand?

The wedding ring tradition is quite flexible. The metals range from traditional gold to contemporary cobalt, adding engravings to wearing the same wedding bands, wearing the ring on the finger, or hanging it on a necklace – choices are endless. It all comes down to your personal preference.

In most American and European countries, the wedding ring is worn on the fourth finger of your left hand. But some notable groups prefer wearing the wedding ring on the right hand.

• Couples in Islamic countries prefer wearing wedding rings on the right-hand ring finger because the left hand is considered impure.

• In the Jewish tradition, wedding rings are worn on the index finger of the right hand instead of the ring finger. Similar to the Islamic culture, it is not customary for men to wear the wedding ring, but they can choose to do so.

• Orthodox Christians believe there is a unique symbolism to the right hand, as Jesus sat on the right hand of God, and the right hand of God makes the ultimate foundation of the world. Wearing the wedding ring on the right hand is an ode to the love and blessing God has sent to the couple.

• Left-handed people also choose to wear the wedding ring on the right hand. It is majorly for practicality, as wearing your wedding ring on your dominant hand can lead to faster wear and tear of the metal.

In the Western World, most countries prefer wearing their wedding rings on the left hand.  South America, the UK, the United States, Italy, Canada, etc., are more prone to wearing the wedding ring on the left hand.

While the Northern and Eastern European nations, Arab and Islamic countries, India, etc., sport the wedding ring on the right ring finger.

Wearing Both Wedding and Engagement Ring

Most married people have two rings for these two joyous occasions. If you choose to wear both rings at all times, there are a couple of ways you can go about it.

In some cultures, the engagement ring is placed on the left-hand ring finger and the wedding ring on the right. It is practical and works great as a communicative object of your relationship status.

In some wedding ceremonies, the bride walks down the aisle with the engagement ring on the right hand, which she then switches to the left ring finger after the wedding vows to make space for the wedding ring.

If both rings have different styles, you might want to wear the wedding bands on separate hands to have them stand out.

You can also choose to stack your wedding ring on top of your engagement ring. This way depends on your ring style. Your engagement ring should have a flat surface so the wedding ring can slip on snugly.

For practical reasons, you can also skip wearing the engagement ring altogether. Wearing the ring on special occasions is a great way to preserve the metal and reduce wear and tear to the ring.

Fun fact – many cultures, such as the abundant Malay culture, have the wedding and engagement ring, and on top of that, a ring from the groom to initiate the relationship.

History of the Wedding Ring

Wedding rings were used as object communication since the seventeenth century. These objects indicated the individuals’ status. The most commonly used were garments, jewelry, and hairstyles. Families used the wedding ring to initiate commitment between the engaged couples and signal the marital status.

Jeweller Stephanie Selle shares that wedding rings have been recorded as being worn on no specific finger. During the reign of King George I, wedding rings were usually worn on the thumb. It shifted to the fourth finger of the right hand during the roman times.

According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), during the times of the ancient Greeks and the ancient Egyptians, the wedding ring was worn on the wedding finger of the left hand. It was believed that the vein on the finger leads to the heart, the center of the body, and the center of our being. The ring becomes the focal point of our body, and the vein became the vein of love, vena amoris.

As beautiful as a singular connecting vein sounds, it is all a myth. But even science debunking the love vein hasn’t stopped this age-old tradition from continuing across centuries.

Wedding Rings in the Modern World

Thankfully, the modern world is much more forgiving. You could even spot a bride sporting a black wedding dress in full glory! So it shouldn’t come off as a surprise if you come across a bride rocking the wedding ring on her middle finger or even the thumb.

Wedding rings are becoming more practical with simpler carvings, and durable metals. We find ourselves swooning over movie couples marrying over a tangled copper wire. Your ring truly commemorates your strong and eternal love – be it a shiny diamond or a stringy copper wire. What is most important is you follow your personal preference.

Wedding Ring FAQs

Can I wear my wedding ring and engagement ring on the same hand?

Of course you can. It’s common practice to wear both rings on the same hand by stacking one on the other. However, it is dependent on the ring style if the ring fits snugly together. For example, If both rings have gemstones, the friction can cause damage to the stones.

Your ring size on both hands may differ, so decide on which hand you will be wearing the ring on before you get your ring made.

Why do people wear their rings on different fingers?

It is primarily due to cultural differences and personal choices, such as most western cultures prefer the left finger as the wedding ring finger, and religious cultures do the opposite.

People tend to wear their rings on the non-dominant hand for practical reasons. Many married people wear their promise rings on the left finger and switch them to the right finger on their wedding day. Consequently, you might also want to give your diamond engagement ring its own place and have it shine in its glory.

What it all comes down to is – do what works best for you!

On which finger did ancient cultures wear the wedding ring?

Ancient Greece and ancient Egyptians wore their wedding rings on the left finger, which they believed to be closer to the heart. While the ancient Romans preferred the ring finger of the right hand as they considered the left to be impure and sinister.

Traditions have different meanings in different parts of the world and are largely affected by cultural norms.

Are couples supposed to have the same wedding bands?

It is a fairly newer trend for couples to get the same ring style. Previously, diamond rings for women and platinum rings for men were more popular choices. Choosing matching rings is a symbol of an eternity of love and connection between spouses. So, while you don’t have to opt for matching rings, it sure looks sweet.

Why do people still follow this ancient times tradition?

Like most cultural traditions, this too stems from our sentimental longing and emotional hearts. The wedding ring tradition has been going on for a long time and doesn’t seem to be halting any time soon. It’s romantic, a sweet symbol of love.

While there is no harm in clinging to traditions, if you are having second thoughts, it is better to follow your gut and make the choice that suits you best.