In our modern culture, pretty much anything goes when it comes to weddings. There are the traditional brides that follow all of the cultural norms: white dress, diamond ring, and a church wedding. On the other hand, the unconventional bride may choose a unique dress of bright colors, a diamond eternity band, and a wedding at a theme park. There is no one way and no right way to get married. The same is true of the wedding ring. Whether you decide to wear it on your left hand or your right hand, Diamond Mansion can help you create the perfect ring to match your style.
What Does A Ring Mean?
It doesn’t really matter which hand wears the wedding ring. What matters is the intent and meaning behind the ring. Let’s take a deeper look into the history of the wedding ring.
History of the Wedding Ring
In the time of Ancient Egypt, rings were given to represent the shape of the sun and moon, which they worshiped, and the circle represented eternity. According to GIA, they also believed a gateway to the unknown or the afterlife was represented by the space within the circle. They even had certain rings designed like a serpent eating its tail, called an ouroboros, that represented the inevitable cycle of all things.
The Greeks adapted the wedding ring tradition to connect with their own culture. While they gave rings to show commitment to their beloved, many had symbols etched of Eros or Cupid, the god of love.
By the third and fourth centuries and even today, most wedding rings are made of gold. In the early centuries, this was to show the wealth of the giver. One of the most interesting rings, with some beautiful symbolism, is the fede ring. The fede ring has two right hands holding each other (like a handshake) to symbolize partnership, commitment, and a marriage agreement.
So, while rings have changed over time, the meaning has stood the test of time. Giving your sweetheart a wedding ring shows love, devotion, teamwork, and connection, all the things that marriage still means today. Diamond Mansion knows that the meaning behind the ring is what matters most, and they want you to feel confident in that commitment on your wedding day with the perfect wedding ring.
History of the Left Hand Ring
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) explains that Ancient Egyptians placed a wedding ring on the fourth finger on the left hand for symbolic reasons. They believed that location was significant due to a vein that ran from that finger to the heart, which they called the vena amoris or vein of love. Although the vena amoris isn’t a real part of the human anatomy (and all fingers have veins running to the heart), the tradition was already rooted and now repeated in many cultures.
Dr. James Allen, a historian specializing in ancient civilizations, notes, “In ancient Rome, it was also believed that the vein in the fourth finger of the left hand ran directly to the heart. This led to the tradition of wearing the wedding ring on this finger, a practice that has influenced many Western cultures. However, in many Eastern cultures, the right hand has been favored for similar symbolic reasons, reflecting the heart’s position closer to the right side of the body in these traditions.”
Left or Right Hand By Country
The cultures of the world are diverse in endless ways including foods, dances, religion, worldviews, traditions, holidays, and even wedding ring fingers. The reason for each country wearing their wedding ring on the left or right hand is rooted in tradition or belief systems that they find important and symbolic in their culture.
| LEFT HAND | RIGHT HAND |
|---|---|
| United States United Kingdom Canada Mexico Italy France Australia South Africa | Norway Austria Denmark Poland Belgium Germany Russia Latvia Greece Bulgaria Ukraine India Hungry Spain Cuba Peru Colombia Venezuela Jordan |
Noted Right Hand Groups
India
In India, the left hand is considered unclean and is used for restroom personal hygiene according to Reader’s Digest. It is polite to eat with and shake hands with your right hand, your clean hand. For this reason, people in India wear their wedding rings on their right hand as well.
Orthodox Christians
Many Orthodox Christians wear their wedding rings on their right hands as well. In Latin, the word “sinister” means “on the left side.” Therefore, this tradition is based on the belief that the left hand has negative connotations and associations of being ominous and menacing.
Interestingly, in a Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony, the priest blesses the wedding ring three times in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then, he places the rings on the right hands of both the groom and bride. This is because it is believed that the right hand represents virtue and honor, just as the Bible mentions Jesus sitting at the right hand of God.
Jewish Traditions
In Jewish tradition, during the wedding ceremony, the wedding ring is placed on the index finger of the right hand. There are several interpretations for this, but the most recognized explanation is that the index finger is considered the closest to your heart.
Because it is now customary in the West to wear one’s wedding band on the left ring finger and not the right index finger, many people move the ring after the wedding ceremony.
According to kabbalah and Jewish tradition, the wedding band should be pure gold and totally unadorned. In certain circles, it is customary to use a silver ring. It should not be set with a stone, nor should it contain any inscription.
LGBTQ+ People
Before 2015, same-sex marriage was illegal in the United States. However, many couples expressed commitment through an exchange of rings, typically worn on the right hand. However, since the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage is legal, most LGBTQ+ couples seem to wear their wedding rings on the traditional left hand to represent their equality in marriage to all other marriages. Another popular topic is do men wear engagement rings? or just a classic wedding band.
Left-Handed People
With around 10% of the population being left-handed, it is no surprise that they may want to wear their wedding ring on their right hand. Wearing their wedding band on their dominant hand can cause more damage to the ring, and also get in the way or snag as they are going about their daily activities.
Anthropological Lens
Anthropologists, such as Dr. Lisa Kimball, an expert in cultural symbolism and rituals, emphasize the importance of understanding wedding rings not just as physical objects but as carriers of deep symbolic meaning. She states, “Wedding rings transcend their material value by embodying the values, hopes, and promises of a marriage. Wearing the ring on the right hand in certain cultures signifies not only a connection to tradition but also an adaptation of those traditions to reflect personal or communal identities.”
Kimball further explores how in some cultures, the right hand is associated with honor, moral integrity, and the power to swear oaths, making it a significant choice for wearing a symbol of marital fidelity. “This choice,” she explains, “is a reflection of the multifaceted ways in which societies imbue everyday objects with profound meanings, highlighting the ring’s role as a marker of social and personal identity.”
Further, the work of scholars like Clifford Geertz provides a framework for understanding why this practice holds diverse meanings depending on the person’s social world. Wearing a ring on the right hand symbolizes an individual’s relationship with both cultural norms and personal experiences. Ultimately, the placement becomes a symbol embedded with rich social context.
It’s Up To You
As you can see, there is no rule about which hand your wedding band must go. When you have a ring that you love, people will notice it. Choosing the right hand for your wedding band is a deeply personal decision, reflective of your unique style and the traditions you hold dear.
But what about pairing your wedding band with an engagement ring? If you’re curious about the best ways to wear your engagement ring and wedding band together, whether on the left hand, right hand, or even combining styles for a look that’s all your own, we’ve got you covered. Discover our insights and tips in our blog post on ‘how to wear engagement ring and wedding band‘ to ensure your rings not only symbolize your love but also complement your daily style.
Finding the right ring to fit your personality doesn’t have to be hard. Diamond Mansion has experienced and professional jewelers that can help you design your own ring. Our jewelers spend over 80+ hours intricately designing and creating your ring with ethically and naturally sourced gemstones. Left hand? Right hand? What matters is the heart and love behind the ring that goes on any finger.
Sources:
Link 1: https://4cs.gia.edu/en-us/blog/origin-of-wedding-rings/#ancient
Link 2: https://www.rd.com/article/wedding-rings-ring-finger/
Link 3: https://bestlifeonline.com/wedding-ring-finger-origin/
Link 4: https://www.brides.com/story/why-are-wedding-rings-worn-on-left-hand
Link 5: https://4cs.gia.edu/en-us/blog/origin-of-wedding-rings/#ancient
