Fortunately, we’ve come a long way since ancient Rome! Related categories Fashion Rings, Rings and Multi Stone Gemstone Rings. When you wear an engagement ring, you’re partaking in a cherished tradition of publicly announcing your intent to marry. After which, they can choose to leave the engagement ring on their right hand, or move it on top of the band. Certainly not. Unfortunately, the Romans weren’t so romantic. The 1920s concept that a ring worn on the right hand says ‘me’ while the left hand represents ‘we’ still resonates with women today. The neologism "mangagement ring" is sometimes used for an eng… Seems straightforward, right? An engagement ring is traditionally worn on the ring finger of your left hand, which is right next to your little finger. As far as we know, there is no specific or historical reason for this tradition. Maybe she’s changed weight, and the ring fits better on the right hand. Why? It represents a formal agreement to future marriage. Religion, spiritual or cultural values may influence one person to wear their engagement ring on the right hand, and another to favor the left hand. In some countries, such as Germany, it is common to wear the engagement ring on the fourth finger of either hand. In some European cultures, the ring finger on both the right and left hands are interchangeable, and there’s no distinction between the two. This balance signifies a status change from engaged to married. Ultimately, which hand you choose to wear your engagement ring on is entirely up to you. There is no discrimination between the hands and either is considered just fine. In Western countries, engagement rings are worn mostly by women, and rings can feature diamonds or other gemstones. What influenced them to choose the left ring finger? An engagement ring is a ring indicating that the person wearing it is engaged to be married, especially in Western cultures. Fashionable Jewelry for Older Ladies – A No-Nonsense... Wishbone in Jewelry – Meaning and Symbolism, Fashionable Jewelry for Older Ladies – A No-Nonsense Guide, Symbols of Strength and Power and What They Mean in Jewelry. Similarly, signet rings worn on the pinky finger are also associated with marital status. They can choose to wear it on either. Traditionally, a wedding ring was worn only by the bride/wife, but in recent times more men also wear a wedding ring. Ring Finger Meanings - What Finger Should You Wear Your Ring On? Black Gold Jewelry : Everything You Need To Know. Which is it, then: left or right? Which hand and finger you choose to wear your engagement ring on is subjective. Browse engagement rings and wedding bands to find your perfect match! The method of inscribing one’s name on the ring is from the times of Ramayana. In much of North and South America, the ring finger is most commonly associated with wedding symbolism: a band on the right fourth finger indicates engagement, while a band on the left fourth finger indicates marriage. After the wedding ceremony, many women will place the ring on their left hand, as is the custom in the modern, Western world, but there are also plenty who will wear the wedding ring (and engagement ring) on the right hand on the ring finger. Wearing a ring on your middle finger is a very bold choice that gets you noticed and maybe it can even be a conversation starter. Which hand and finger did the ancient Egyptians wear it on? In anatomy, the ring finger is called digitus medicinalis, the fourth finger, digitus annularis, digitus quartus, or … But if you are one who likes to try something new, then you can choose what works for you and go with that. Accordingly, couples handcrafted braided plants and reeds to exchange and wear as a symbol of love and marriage. In many cultures and countries, wearing an engagement ring on the right hand is preferred. In fact, in many countries it’s tradition to wear the engagement ring on the right hand. As you’ll see, culture and religion largely determine the chosen finger for the engagement ring. Wearing an engagement ring signifies to your betrothed and the world that you’re vowing to spend your life together. Alas, the left ring finger became the delegated spot for engagement rings. Some people wear their engagement rings on their middle fingers while others prefer their index fingers. What Is Electroforming In Jewelry Making? People believed that the vein from the heart travelled through that finger. The United States, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, Australia and Great Britain are among countries whose people prefer to wear engagement rings on the left ring finger. Except for that tiny matter of which hand (and finger) to wear your engagement ring on. A ring located at the center of the hand is said to symbolize responsibility and balance. As previously mentioned: Ancient Egypt, and also Rome. In earlier times, the Kings and Emperors imprinted their insignia on the ring and used it as a stamp (Rajamudra).Hence, a ring is also called Mudrika.Nowadays rings are made of copper, brass, five-metal alloy etc. Heavenly Halos: Double Halo Engagement Rings and What You Need To Know. Personally, I don’t like the look of it and I don’t like the feel and because of that, I don’t wear one. Although the engagement ring is typically worn on the left hand, the tradition is mixed up a bit during the actual wedding ceremony. So, where did it all begin? It acts as a signal to others that you’ve found the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. Although this was a beautiful and sentimental notion, today we know that such a vein does not exist. For example: There is substantial evidence that at an early period among the Gauls, the engagement ring was placed on the right hand, and not on the left. Eastern Orthodox Christians, like those in Greece, continue the tradition of the Romans in this manner. This is derived from ‘left,’ in latin, meaning ‘sinister.’ Therefore the left hand was considered unlucky by some. Like many fashion trends, the meaning of wearing an engagement ring on your right hand depends on personal preference. For a graduate of ecology, engineering, or any other esteemed discipline, a ring on the right pinky finger is a symbol of the degree acquired or professional prominence. There s nothing as timeless and elegant as silver colored... Everything you need to know about Jewelry, What's new in the world of all things sparkly, Emerald .50ct Platinum Finish Solid Real (not indian that turns your finger, 18 K White Gold Engagement Diamond Ring Size 7 - H61 - R11575, 18 K White Gold Engagement Diamond Ring Size 7.5 - H62 - R11578 -1, RE SELLERS DEAL THREE RINGS SIZE 6.5 TR 800. White Gold Vs. Silver: A Complete Guide To Help You Decide. Protestants also tend to choose the left hand for engagement rings. For example, depending on where you live, the cultural values of your community, history and tradition of the region; you might wear engagement rings on your right or left ring finger. Following the wedding ceremony, men transfer the ring from the right ring finger to the left. Maybe she’s left handed, and she doesn’t like the way the ring feels on her dominant hand. A ring is presented as an engagement gift by a partner to their prospective spouse when they propose marriage or directly after a marriage proposal is accepted. Catholics also commonly wear their engagement and wedding rings on the right ring finger. But wait, I hear you ask. Some refer to the right hand as the active hand. As you can see, the ways in which one can wear a wedding band is as diverse as wedding ring styles themselves! In fact, in Chile and Sweden, men wear engagement rings on their right hand until they’re married. Germany and Netherlands also wear their wedding ring on the right hands while keeping the engagement ring on their right hand. After the ceremony, the engagement ring gets paired with the wedding band on the left ring finger. Different cultures have different meanings associated with each finger. For example, if you are left-handed, wearing the ring on your right hand will offer more protection to the ring and keep it safer from impact and blows. In countries such as the UK and the US, where the left ring finger tends to be earmarked for love and commitment, wearing a diamond ring on the right hand makes it clear that it is not an engagement ring. Sometimes, it may be more practical for you to wear your ring on a certain hand as per your lifestyle. Right! A ring is an ornament that is worn on the fingers. It is also the custom in some cultures to wear an engagement ring on the ring finger. Does that mean I can wear it on either hand? In today’s modern world, you can get as creative or unique as you like. Ancient Egyptians believed circles were symbolic of eternity. While your wedding ring finger is traditionally on your right hand, some cultures wear wedding rings on their right index finger. Find out what the color says about you and your relationship. Some chose to use the ring finger (next to the pinky) on the right hand for the engagement and/or wedding ring because of it's resonance with, but difference from, the traditional heterosexual symbolism. © 2018 JEWELRYSHOPPINGGUIDE.COM ALL RIGHT RESERVED |, ENGAGEMENT RINGS, WEDDING RINGS AND WEDDING BAND, WHAT JEWELRY TO WEAR WITH YOUR WEDDING DRESS, List of Good Luck Gemstones (A Handy Guide). If the negative connotation of the word left is enough to manipulate a person’s left-hand orientation, it’s no surprise that engagement rings are worn on the right hand. Attribute it to good ol’ mythology. It isn’t just Sweden and Chile that practices ring swapping. Halo vs. Solitaire Engagement Rings: How To Choose Your Forever Ring! The only difference is that, in the case of Brazil, they are worn on the ring finger of the left hand. Women then move it to the right hand to make way for the wedding band. There is no vena amoris and the fourth finger of the left hand does not have any connection to the heart. An engagement ring and wedding band receive less wear than if worn on the dominant hand. Even then, diamonds and precious stones were reserved for royalty. Tips on How to Wear Your Engagement and Wedding Ring Rings on the Left Hand. In Russia, Germany, Norway and India, engagement rings are worn on the right hand. It ultimately depends on your cultural background and social values. Back then, before medical science, it was believed that there existed a vein, which they called the ‘vena amoris’ or the vein of love, which ran from the fourth finger of the left hand directly to the heart. Once diamonds were discovered in South Africa in the late 1800s, miners optimized production and by the mid 20th century, diamond engagement rings populated department stores. Elizabeth Taylor wore a right-hand ring to make room for a bigger, better left-hand ring. Since the wedding band is usually worn closer to the heart (on the inside of the engagement ring), some brides choose to wear the engagement ring on the right hand on the day of their ceremony. This is why for centuries, left-handed children were forced to learn to write with their right hand. Wearing the ring on this finger demonstrated love and commitment. This tradition is commonly followed in Russia, India, many Scandinavian countries, as well as some East European and South American countries. As a rule of thumb, Catholics prefer to wear their engagement rings on the right hand as well. If you want to hold onto the traditional significance of an engagement ring, then stick with the fourth finger of either the left or right hand. For men, there is no rule regarding the appropriate hand for the ring. Whether you choose to wear your engagement ring on the right or left hand, what’s important is to have a ring that compliments your sacred union. Some Jewish and Brazilian cultures also switch ring hands following the wedding ceremony. It has simply evolved over time and become widely accepted in those specific regions. Wearing your wedding ring on your left ring finger stems from an old belief that it contained a vein that connected to the heart, an edict that England's King Edward VI made official during the 16th century. Engagement rings are a centuries-old tradition representing everlasting love and lifelong commitment. Finally, wearing a wedding ring on the right hand can simply mean that the wearer is left-handed and doesn’t want his or her ring to be subjected to the wear and tear from their dominant hand. People from countries such as Italy, Egypt, Mexico, Britain, America, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Ireland, to name a few, tend to wear their engagement rings on their left hand. The left hand ring finger. Nowadays people wear their engagement ring on the ring finger of their left or right hand. A circle symbolizes everlasting love, and an engagement ring is a beautiful token of the underlying promise of love and marriage. In this way, this finger was seen as being directly connected to the heart. Afterall, the most important factor regarding your engagement is the lifelong union you’re forming with the one you love. Wait, it’s gotta be the left ring finger, right? This sentimental origin was centuries before engagement rings became a booming and lucrative industry. If the ring was given to the recipient as a pre-engagement promise ring, the recipient may choose to wear it on the ring finger of her left hand to symbolize that an engagement is in her future. During many western wedding ceremonies, the engagement ring initially worn on the left ring finger gets switched to the right ring finger to make space for the wedding band. A ring on the left ring finger indicates that the lady wearing it is soon to get married, as the engagement ring sits on this finger until the wedding day. Even so, while the myth has been debunked, the tradition continues. For this reason, engagement rings are worn on the right hand, instead of the left. Whether you have a blue sapphire or a pink morganite, your gemstone engagement ring has one ultra-special value. These rings may be worn again after marriage too, or substituted by wedding bands. Perhaps the most common way to wear them, this tradition stems all the way back to an idea from the Ancient Egyptians, who believed we had a vein leading directly from the left ring finger to the heart. She might not be ready to have it resized. A circle symbolizes everlasting love, and an engagement ring is a beautiful token of the underlying promise of love and marriage. All things considered, there isn’t a right or wrong way for wearing an engagement ring. The tradition of wearing fine jewelry to denote pending nuptials wasn’t made a standard until the last few hundred years. Before we get to the great debate of engagement ring fingers, here’s a brief overview of the history of engagement rings. Just like the left hand, people wear their engagement rings on the fourth finger, or ring finger, of the right hand. Let’s explore how location, culture, history and tradition influence where people wear their engagement rings. In the early aughts and prior to the legalization of same-sex marriage, we saw examples of lesbian and gay couples using a wide variety of options for their engagement and wedding rings. An engagement ring is worn to signify the promise of marriage and commitment between two individuals. Another point to note is that there is an increase in the number of men wearing engagement rings in general. However, where it is placed distinguishes it from being just another ring on your hand. In some countries, the engagement ring is worn on the fourth finger of the right hand. Traditions are a bit different in other countries. Often, the engagement ring is placed on the fourth finger of either the left or right hand. Usually the couple buys a pair of rings, each one to be worn on the ring finger of the right hand. All this goes to show that there are many rules and traditions on the right engagement ring finger depending on your region, culture and religion. The tradition of wearing a ring on this specific finger goes back to ancient Egyptian and Roman times. Furthermore, diamonds didn’t enter the engagement ring arena until the 15th century. Here's a little symbolism behind both stacking orders. However, non-english speaking countries including Italy, Mexico and Egypt also favor the left ring finger. Whether you choose to wear your engagement ring on the right or left hand, what’s important is to have a ring that compliments your sacred union. Where did it all start? Does everyone wear their engagement rings on the left ring finger? For same-sex couples, a ring on the right hand usually signifies that someone is in a monogamous relationship — whether that’s a long-term partnership or marriage. In the US and much of North & South America, the ring finger is most commonly associated with wedding symbolism: a band on the right fourth finger indicates engagement, while a band on the left fourth finger indicates marriage.That said, nearly all men opt for a simple gold or silver band for their wedding/engagement rings. In Germany and the Netherlands, couples start by wearing their engagement rings on the left hand, and then when they are married, they move the wedding rings to the right hand to signify their change in social status. A practical explanation for wearing an engagement ring on the left hand. Because she wants to. However, this is the standard in most English speaking countries. Prior to modern science, the ancients believed in a vein called “vena amoris.” They also believed that this “vein of love” connected the fourth finger on the left hand with the heart. However, in nations around the world, wedding rings are worn on the right ring finger. Men, in most traditional Jewish communities, do not wear a wedding ring. While these rings have come to represent individuality and single womanhood, the ring's meaning may change depending on who purchases it. For instance, in Poland, which is predominantly Catholic, married people wear their rings on the right hand, and so do couples in Orthodox Greece. Wearing the engagement ring on the fourth finger of the left hand is common in many countries, English-speaking and otherwise. While some may wear it as a sign of fortune, others might wear it as a sign of their commitment. Engagement rings are the modern standard, but this wasn’t always the case. In Sweden and Chile, it is not just brides-to-be that receive engagement rings, men wear them too. Call it religious folklore, but the latin origin of the word ‘left’ means sinister or evil. This is typical in India, Russia, Germany, Norway and some Eastern European and South American countries. In much of the Western world, it is traditional to wear a wedding ring on the left-hand ring finger. A betrothal ring signified a binding agreement of ownership over a future bride. Truth is, wearing an engagement ring on left ring finger is not a universal or international tradition. We’ve covered the left ring finger. Basket Setting Vs. Prong Setting - Which Is Safest For Your Engagement Ring? Wedding traditions of the Jewish community dictate the wedding ring … Now, what about wearing an engagement ring on the right hand? It acts as a signal to others that you’ve found the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. In fact, roughly about 5% of men in the USA prefer to wear an engagement ring. In India and Spain for example, the engagement and wedding rings are usually worn on the right hand. Promise rings can be worn on any finger, however people usually wear their promise rings on the ring finger of their right hand so it is not confused with an engagement or wedding ring. But there are people today who choose to wear it on their right hand. For example unlike in Ireland and the UK where the engagement ring is worn on the 4th finger of the left hand, in countries like India, Russia, Norway, & Germany, the word “left” means “sinister” in Latin and as such, the left hand was seen as unlucky. Vena Amoris isn’t actually real, however it’s a romantic, time-honored ritual meaningful enough to retain its tradition. Many cultures don’t even place emphasis on which hand the engagement ring should be worn. Since Roman times, the hand used for engagement and wedding rings has changed many times, along with the reasoning behind it. How did the diamond work its way into the homes of common folk? An engagement ring is worn to signify the promise of marriage and commitment between two individuals. In some countries, women aren’t the only ones who wear engagement rings. In other cultures, such as Brazilian and Jewish cultures, the engagement ring is initially worn on the ring finger of the right hand and then transferred to the ring finger of the left hand after marriage. This is classified as a ring of professional status. As with many ancient religious rituals, what began as superstition is now tradition. Since most people are right-handed, there is a certain practical sense to wearing an engagement ring on the left hand. However, where it is placed distinguishes it from being just another ring on your hand. 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