The ring finger of the fourth finger on the left hand is traditionally the only place to wear an engagement ring or wedding band. In fact, most of us refer to this digit as our “ring finger.” However, do you know how the ring finger got to be the standard for engagement rings? 

Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all practised the swapping of wedding rings. They all believed that the fourth finger on the left hand had a vein that led straight to the heart, so that’s where they actually wore their wedding rings.

In a way that shouldn’t come as a surprise, the heart was identified as the physical location of the human soul. The ancient Romans believed that there was a vein that ran from the fourth finger directly to the heart, and they called it the vena amoris (Latin for “vein of love”).

Unfortunately, modern science has disproved this long-held myth and shown that no such vein exists in humans, connecting the ring fingers to the heart. Then why do we persist in putting our wedding and engagement bands on this finger?

Do wedding rings have to go on the left fourth finger?

You may be thinking if you are obligated to keep your wedding ring in the traditional setting if the idea of tradition isn’t very appealing to you. There are no requirements, thus there’s no reason to. Given how widespread this habit is in the Western world, though, people may be fooled into thinking you’re single if your ring isn’t displayed on the fourth finger.

However, there are a number of nations that have made significant changes. Wedding rings are typically worn on the right hand in Austria, Germany, Denmark, and India. Nonetheless, people in these regions continue to wear rings on their ring fingers four, making it safe to generalise this practice as a worldwide norm.

What is the Ring Finger Tradition?

There are several traditional methods to show your love for your partner, from exchanging wedding rings to getting matching finger tattoos.

Wedding Ring

As was previously noted, in the West, wedding rings are typically worn just on the fourth finger of the left hand. Nonetheless, you can also choose to keep your wedding band on your right ring finger if you want. You’d be joining the ranks of many happy couples across northern and central Europe.

Countries such as Latvia, Russia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Ukraine join the likes of Austria, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Poland, Russia, and Germany on the list. Even among Orthodox Christians, the right arm was the preferred location for banding.

It used to be thought that using one’s left hand brought bad luck or was unclean, and this was also the case in India. However, modern wedding jewellery is at home on either hand.

For same-sex couples, the significance of this custom is amplified. After the passage of same-sex marriage legislation at the state level, many LGBTQ+ couples began to display their “commitment” with rings, often on their right hand.

Now that the Supreme Court has recognised same-sex marriage as a fundamental right, however, virtually all LGBTQ+ couples are opting to have their rings placed on the left ring finger.

Engagement Ring

The Austrian Archduke Maximilian gave Mary of Burgundy, his betrothed, the first engagement ring ever given. Males have been donning the ring too, especially in same-sex unions.

Newly engaged couples continue to wear their rings on the left ring finger, sometimes known as the engagement ring finger, as was customary in the past. Some Europeans who opt to wear the wedding bands on the right hand do so only after first wearing their engagement ring just on the left.

In contrast, in Colombia and Brazil, engaged couples may wear bands on their right hands before switching to the left after exchanging vows. The band of motherhood is an important symbol in Swedish culture, and it is not uncommon for Swedish brides to wear a combination of wedding rings that also includes an engagement ring.

Promise Ring

A promise ring is a custom with roots in the 16th century that has been misconstrued ever since it came to represent an individual’s intent to propose to another person. However, this isn’t always the case, especially as some couples may not be prepared for marriage but still wish to demonstrate their devotion.

What, then, is the definition of a promise ring? These days, a promise ring might signify anything from a lifelong commitment to a casual friendship. It is a time-honoured custom for newly committed couples to exchange promise rings as a token of their undying love and devotion to one another.

Another possible interpretation is that the couple has made a marriage vow. The exchange of purity rings may also signify a pledge to abstain from sexual activity until the wedding day. Although promise rings are not typically exchanged before getting engaged, they are often used in this way.

Questions like “How did he propose? When is the date? What are your colours? Where are you getting married?” and “What are your colours?” are common reactions to engagement rings. A promise ring is an alternative to an engagement ring if the pair isn’t ready to rush into wedding preparations. It’s a sign that you two plan to be married someday.

To which finger, then, does one typically attach a promise ring? When it comes to this, there is no one true way. Since this isn’t a legal engagement, some couples choose to wear their rings on a different finger than they would for an actual engagement. When you get married, you should switch from wearing your commitment band on the left hand to your rightmost ring finger.

No Ring

You don’t have to use a ring to signify your marriage, but if you want to, it’s a beautiful gesture. Such as, for instance, going ringless. Alternatively, atypical couples may choose to have tattoos on the ring fingers to symbolise their marriage as a permanent display of their commitment and selflessness.

It’s not just a simple slip-on, slip-off type of thing, so you’ll want to be sure you’ve picked the right vein, finger, or hand to show your dedication.

Your Wedding Ring, Your Rules

It’s natural to question how to best show off the engagement ring on the big day if you’re currently in the midst of wedding preparations while gazing at that sparkling rock. To begin, it’s important to know that wedding rings are traditionally worn lower on the finger than the engagement ring.

An increasingly common practice is to switch the engagement ring to the right hand before the wedding so that the bride can wear it as she walks down the aisle. After your fiance has put your wedding ring onto the left hand, you can next add your engagement ring.

Right-hand ring sizes tend to be somewhat larger than left-hand rings, but as long as the difference is less than a quarter of a size, this should fit.

It’s fine to wear your wedding ring over your engagement ring if the ring is too small or too big to fit underneath it, or if you simply do not want to take it off and potentially lose it. To further symbolise the unity of marriage, some couples choose to have their wedding bands welded to their engagement rings.

It doesn’t matter how you wore your wedding and engagement rings on the big day, as long as you’re happy with the way they look now.

Both rings can be worn together or separately; the most common option in the United States is to wear them on the left hand’s ring finger, the wedding band coming first. The question of which finger to wear a wedding band on is a common source of anxiety, but ultimately the decision is yours to make.

These days, many people aren’t content to just wear one band on their right hand, thus the wedding band is often worn alone as a way to justify the purchase of additional bands. It’s becoming increasingly common for brides to receive multiple wedding bands on the big day, one for each finger.

Not only are gorgeous diamond eternity bands becoming increasingly popular, but some couples are even forgoing engagement rings altogether in favour of them.

The fact that you’re willing to go against conventional wisdom about engagement rings speaks volumes about your individuality. While customs may exist, no such thing as rules applies. Unique wedding jewellery is a great way for guests to share their own style and preferences on the big day.

Conclusion

Engagement rings and wedding bands are only ever worn on the ring finger, the fourth finger on the left hand. It was believed that a vein on this finger ran directly to the heart, so wedding rings were traditionally worn here by ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans.

Science has disproved this long-held myth and shows that no such vein exists in humans. In the West, wedding rings are typically worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. In northern and central Europe, however, the right hand is the preferred location for wedding bands.

They may even wear the rings on a different finger than they would for a formal engagement. After exchanging vows, the wedding band moves from the left ring finger to the right. It is becoming increasingly common for the bride to switch her engagement ring to her right hand before the wedding.

More and more grooms are giving their future wives more than one wedding band as a gift. In the United States, a ring is typically worn on the fourth finger of the left hand.

Eternity bands are becoming so popular that some couples are choosing them over engagement rings. Guests can express their individuality through the wedding jewellery they wear.

Content Summary

• The ring finger of the fourth finger on the left hand is traditionally the only place to wear an engagement ring or wedding band.
• They all believed that the fourth finger on the left hand had a vein that led straight to the heart, so that’s where they actually wore their wedding rings.
• The ancient Romans believed that there was a vein that ran from the fourth finger directly to the heart, and they called it the vena amoris (Latin for “vein of love”).
• Unfortunately, modern science has disproved this long-held myth and shown that no such vein exists in humans, connecting the ring fingers to the heart.
• Wedding rings are typically worn on the right hand in Austria, Germany, Denmark, and India.
• As was previously noted, in the West, wedding rings are typically worn just on the fourth finger of the left hand.
• Nonetheless, you can also choose to keep your wedding band on your right ring finger if you want.
• For same-sex couples, the significance of this custom is amplified.
• Now that the Supreme Court has recognised same-sex marriage as a fundamental right, however, virtually all LGBTQ+ couples are opting to have their rings placed on the left ring finger.
• Newly engaged couples continue to wear their rings on the left ring finger, sometimes known as the engagement ring finger, as was customary in the past.
• Some Europeans who opt to wear the wedding bands on the right hand do so only after first wearing their engagement ring just on the left.
• In contrast, in Colombia and Brazil, engaged couples may wear bands on their right hands before switching to the left after exchanging vows.
• When you get married, you should switch from wearing your commitment band on the left hand to your rightmost ring finger.
• You don’t have to use a ring to signify your marriage, but if you want to, it’s a beautiful gesture.
• To begin, it’s important to know that wedding rings are traditionally worn lower on the finger than the engagement ring.
• It doesn’t matter how you wore your wedding and engagement rings on the big day, as long as you’re happy with the way they look now.
• The question of which finger to wear a wedding band on is a common source of anxiety, but ultimately the decision is yours to make.
• The fact that you’re willing to go against conventional wisdom about engagement rings speaks volumes about your individuality.

FAQs About Wedding Rings

Why are there 3 rings in a wedding set?

The promise of marriage is symbolised by the engagement ring, the wedding ring symbolises the legalisation of that union, and the third ring symbolises yet another significant life event shared by the couple. The third ring is presented after either an anniversary or the arrival of the first child into the family.

When should you not wear your wedding ring?

While swimming or exercising especially for sterling silver, the effects of salt water and chlorine are detrimental. As an added downside, sterling silver jewellery can quickly tarnish if worn by someone who perspires heavily.

What is the wedding ring rule?

Typically, the wedding band is worn on the left-hand ring finger first, closest to the heart, followed by the engagement ring. Again, this custom is not binding; the rings can be worn on different fingers if that is more convenient for you or if you find that more aesthetically pleasing.

Should wedding rings be worn every day?

In regards to when and where you should wear your wedding band, there are no hard and fast regulations. Remember, you are under no obligation to wear them together. Many people only wear their engagement ring on special occasions or when they want to present themselves in a more formal manner.

What does the rule for a wedding ring cost?

The X months salary rule is the most widely believed falsehood about the cost of a wedding or engagement ring. It’s become standard practice to factor in one, two, or even three months’ worth of salary when determining how much to spend on an engagement ring.