The question is as old as marriage itself: left, or right? How can I tell which hand the wedding ring belongs on? There is no clear explanation, but there are many intriguing stories, some of which involve veins of love or even the Bible.
We take you on an exciting journey through the marriage story so that you know exactly where your ring belongs at the end. Furthermore, we added a trusted plug where you could shop for your engagement rings and other diamond necklaces at relatively reasonable prices.
On which hand is the wedding ring worn?
A wedding ring is the ultimate symbol of eternal love, made from a durable material like gold. Traditionally, we don’t take it off after the wedding. But where does he belong?
The tradition of exchanging rings is not unique to us. However, we do it differently depending on our regions. Because with some, the wedding ring is worn on the right hand. This is the case in Germany, Poland, Austria, and Bulgaria. In the Netherlands, Great Britain, Switzerland, France, Portugal, and the USA, on the other hand, it is the left hand that is used. Opinions differ as to why this is ultimately the case.
What does it mean if you wear your wedding ring on your left hand?
Historically, the countries where the wedding ring is worn on the left hand are in good company. As early as ancient Greece, the ancient Romans, and the Egyptians, women wore their wedding rings on the left. The reason for this was the so-called love vein called “Vena amoris” in Latin. It should connect the hand and heart. So, the left hand became the place to capture the enduring love in ring form. The Christian Church eventually incorporated this tradition into its own marriage rites.
Why is the wedding ring on the right hand?
There are only guesses as to why the ring finally changed sides. Some attribute it to the Reformation, which sought to break away from Catholic rules. Still, others think it has to do with “law and order,” which the right side traditionally represents. Thus, wearing the ring on the right hand would express proper marriage.
However, that cannot be entirely true: Even among Catholics, the left hand does not have the best reputation as a rather “impure” hand, and our neighbors, the very Catholic Poles, also prefer the right hand when it comes to marriage. Words like “awkward,” “linked,” or “justice” speak against it.
Even the Bible refers to Jesus sitting “at the right hand” of God in heaven after the resurrection. Some also suspect the tribes, whose love veins are said to have been on the other right side of the body. Thus, how the wedding ring goes on which hand is lost in the darkness of history.
Which finger does the wedding ring go on?
With a wedding ring, the question is not only which hand it should be on but also which finger is the right choice. Well, the name gives it away: In the USA, the wedding ring is worn on the left hand’s ring finger. Mind you; this is just a tradition: couples are not obliged to use a specific finger, nor do we have a rule that says that rings should be exchanged at a wedding ceremony.
Left-handed people who write a lot or do manual work may also want to protect their ring from wear and tear and therefore tend to use the other hand, the right hand.
Should you wear your engagement ring on the right or left?
Wedding rings have been common in Christian marriages since the 13th century. Up until the 15th century, no distinction was made between engagement and wedding rings. Which hand the engagement ring goes on today is largely determined by the place where the wedding ring sits: Which hand is it?
If you follow the USA tradition of wearing the wedding ring on the ring finger on the left-hand side, the engagement ring should initially be on the ring finger of the right hand. After the wedding, some partners wear the engagement ring as a slip-on ring over the ring on the right hand. If it continues to be worn on the left hand, the symbolic connection to the heart, to the love vein, remains.
Wedding ring: which hand should I take now?
The importance of this decision also depends a bit on how traditional you feel about yourself. In the past, there were strict rules not only in relation to the engagement period and marriage. The social position and thus the symbolism of the unmarried, married, or widowed were also clearly regulated.
Fortunately, there are no longer any rigid guidelines regarding how we should wear our hair, clothes, and wedding rings. Because no matter on which hand the wedding ring is ultimately worn: It not only stands for the enduring love between the newlyweds but also for the belief in the future and in a new life together as a couple.
Conclusion
Regardless of your region’s traditions, you can wear the engagement ring on any finger of your choice. But if you want to buy engagement rings cheaply, the number one place to look is the Frisco Engagement Rings for all diamond engagement rings in Dallas.
