As different cultures mix in our modern societies, we see some women wearing their engagement and wedding rings on their right hands and others on their left. Who is right?
How you answer that question is going to depend on three factors: 1. What country you are from, 2. Your religion and 3. Your personal preferences.
Ring wearing traditions around the world
Engagement rings became an important part of marriage traditions in the 1940s and local traditions, which vary from country to country, dictated which hand they were worn on.
Brides and grooms lovingly slip their engagement and wedding rings on to their fingers – some on to their right hands, others on the left and a few even use both hands. Here are the most common ring wearing traditions from around the world:
Rings worn on the left hand
Brides and grooms in France, the Netherlands, the United States, Great Britain, Australia and many other english-speaking countries traditionally wear their rings on their left hands. This tradition stems from the ancient Greek belief that the “vena amoris” or “vein of love” connects the ring finger of the left hand to the heart.
Rings worn on the right hand
Couples in Belgium, Russia, Poland and a few other eastern European countries prefer to wear their engagement and wedding rings on their right hands. Their tradition began years ago when the Romans ruled the world and believed that the left hand represented all that was untrustworthy.
Rings worn on both hands
Brazilians, Germans, Spanish and a few other nationalities wear their rings on both hands. This tradition began long ago when couples could only afford one set of rings. They would buy wedding bands at their engagement and wear them on one hand, and then move the bands to their other hand during the wedding ceremony. Brazilians begin with the band on their right hand and move it to their left, while Germans and Spanish do the opposite.
Religious customs affect ring wearing traditions
A bride and bridegroom’s religious beliefs don’t always influence what hand they wear their rings, but in a few religions it may, for instance:
Judaism
Judaism began more than 3,500 years ago. At that time and in some cases today, rings are not exchanged during Jewish engagements and weddings. However when a Jewish couple decides to use rings, the groom will put the ring on the bride’s right index finger during the wedding. After the ceremony, she will move it to her ring finger and also give the groom his ring in private.
Roman Catholicism
Before it began spreading around the globe, the Roman Catholic Church held the tradition of brides and grooms wearing their rings on their right hands. Historical records suggest that this was simply a tradition and not linked to any religious convictions which explains why Catholicism has since adopted the ring wearing traditions of any country they are in.
Protestantism
In 1517, different groups began breaking away from the Roman Catholic Church and beginning their own churches. These protestants changed many of the traditions that they had learned in the Catholic Church and this included moving their wedding rings from their right hands to their left. Like Catholics, protestants today adopt the ring wearing traditions of the culture around them instead of continuing their own traditions.
Hinduism
Almost 80% of people in India are Hindus and for years, their traditions did not include engagement or wedding rings. Rings are slowly rising in popularity now, but most brides still insist on wearing the traditional “sindoor” or red dot at the parting of their hair to show they are married.
Your personal preference remains important
For generations, local traditions and religious customs dictated which hands engagement and wedding rings were worn on, but now a bride and groom’s personal preference are just as important as these traditions and customs.
Couples today can choose to wear their engagement and wedding rings on their left hands or right hands based on what feels good to them or even what will be most practical with other jewellery that they enjoy wearing.
In today’s society personal preferences are important, often even more important than time-honored traditions or religious customs.
FAQs
Traditionally, the engagement and wedding rings are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. But there are many traditions about how you wear your engagement ring and your wedding band at different parts of this journey.
Which hand do you wear engagement and wedding ring? ›
Just before the wedding ceremony, the engagement ring is exchanged onto the right hand so the wedding ring can be placed onto the left hand, to be worn closest to the heart. After the ceremony, the engagement ring is then placed on top of the new wedding band.
What does it mean when you wear your wedding ring on your right hand? ›
The right hand is a symbol of trust, loyalty, and honor. All characters you want in a marriage. Other reasons couples choose to wear their wedding rings on the right hand include: Same-sex marriages- Most countries have made same-sex marriages legal.
Where should I put my engagement ring and wedding ring? ›
In Western cultures, it's customary to wear your wedding band first, “closest to the heart,” with the engagement ring on top, on the finger of the left hand. Before the wedding ceremony, the bride will transfer her engagement ring to her right hand, only to place it on top of the wedding band post-ceremony.
Which goes first, engagement, and wedding ring? ›
And while there's a standard answer that's rooted in tradition, ultimately, the decision is a personal choice. As tradition dictates, a wedding band is usually placed first on the left ring finger, followed by the engagement ring.
What is the proper etiquette for wedding ring and engagement ring? ›
For those opting to wear both rings, tradition dictates that you wear your engagement ring and wedding ring together on the fourth finger of your left hand. As far as how to stack them, tradition also holds that you'll wear the wedding band inside the engagement ring so that it's closer to your heart.
Do guys wear engagement rings on right hand? ›
The Custom of Wearing Engagement Rings
Traditionally, an engagement ring is worn on the ring finger of the left hand. While this may still be the most common practice among women and men, it is certainly not the only way, or finger, to wear an engagement ring, and can be entirely dependent on other factors.
What is a divorce ring? ›
While engagement rings symbolize commitment and unity, divorce rings represent "empowerment, closure, or simply a way to signify a new chapter in one's life,” Akmakjian says. She stresses the importance of having a design that is all about your style.
Where not to wear your engagement ring? ›
You CAN'T wear your engagement ring in the shower.
All the products you use to clean your face, hair, and body can latch onto your diamond, creating a film that makes it look cloudy, dull, and all-around dirty. Not to mention that you don't want your ring to slip off your finger and down the drain.
What hand does a widow wear her ring on? ›
The widow wears the ring on the right ring finger while the widower wears the ring on the left little finger. In this manner, the surviving spouse aids in the grieving process by allowing the spouse to express their status as a widowed person. The combined rings are attractive and a fitting memorial for the deceased.
The engagement ring is given at the time of a proposal and is worn throughout the engagement period, but a vast majority of couples continue to wear them long after the I-dos. Wedding rings, on the other hand (pun intended), are worn by both partners and exchanged during the ceremony as a symbol of unity and marriage.
Should I wear my engagement ring every day? ›
Many people choose to wear their engagement rings, wedding bands or other jewelry all day. As long as you're not wearing your ring in situations that can potentially damage it or result in losing the ring, it's generally perfectly safe to wear your ring all day.
What to do with an engagement ring after a wedding? ›
Traditionally, the wedding band goes first on the finger so it's closest to the heart. To ensure the proper position, some brides temporarily move their engagement ring to their right hand. Then, after the nuptials, they return the ring to their left hand over the wedding band.
Do I wear my engagement ring on my wedding day? ›
As per tradition, a wedding band is worn first—"to keep it closer to your heart"—and an engagement ring is then placed above the band, explains jewelry expert Tiina Smith.
Can I wear my wedding ring on my right hand? ›
While this tradition remains, many people choose to wear their wedding rings on their right hand. You may choose to do this because you're left handed, or perhaps you follow different cultural customs.
What is the correct order to wear wedding rings? ›
Conventionally, couples wear the wedding band “closest to their heart,” meaning the wedding band is stacked below the engagement ring on the left ring finger. However, some people like to wear their wedding band on top of their engagement ring as a way to secure it on the finger.
Does the wedding band go on top or bottom? ›
A: Conventionally, couples wear the wedding band “closest to their heart”, meaning the wedding band is stacked below the engagement ring on the left ring finger. However, some people like to wear their wedding band on top of their engagement ring as a way to secure it on the finger.
Why is the wedding ring on the left hand? ›
The Origins Of The Tradition
The ancient Romans believed that the fourth finger of the left hand had a vein that ran directly to the heart and so chose to wear the ring as a symbol of love on this finger.
Do you wear your engagement ring after marriage? ›
A person wears their engagement ring throughout their engagement and often after they are married. They are traditionally only worn by the person who was proposed to. Engagement rings are typically made of metal and have a diamond on top.
Which hand wedding ring is male? ›
Traditionally in most countries worldwide: the USA, Britain, New Zealand, and Australia, men wear their wedding rings on the left hand. Some people try and explain the concept by claiming that the wedding ring is worn on the left hand's fourth finger because a vein runs from the finger to the heart.
