What Hand & Which Finger Does a Wedding / Engagement Ring Go On?

When we’re talking about wedding rings and engagement rings, there are a lot of questions that come up. What finger should they go on? Why do some people wear their wedding ring on the right hand while others wear it on the left? But there’s one question that often gets overlooked: which hand do your wedding and engagement rings go on? If you’re not sure which hand to put your gorgeous new bling on, don’t worry—we’ve got all the answers here. We’ll also share with you some interesting facts about how people traditionally wore their rings as well as what wearing them in certain ways might mean for your relationship!

The Traditional Ring Finger Meaning

The tradition of wearing an engagement or wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand is romantic, but the reason behind it is untrue. The ancient Romans believed this finger had a vein, the Vena Amoris, that connected directly to the heart.

However, today it is known that this vein does not exist. Despite this, the tradition of wearing the ring on the fourth finger of the left hand still continues in America. In Russia and Greece, it’s common to wear the ring on the right hand.

The Wedding Ring Finger Meaning

The tradition of wearing wedding rings originated in Egypt around 4,800 years ago, according to Ghanimian. The ring is symbolic of eternity, with the circle having no beginning or end, and the hole in the center representing a gateway or door.

The choice of which hand to wear the ring on is now a personal one, as etiquette rules have become more relaxed. Nowadays, there are various options for wearing wedding rings, such as on one hand, separately switching off each day/night, or stacking multiple bands together.

The Engagement Ring Finger Meaning

An engagement ring is traditionally worn on the left hand, but any finger will do. It’s meant to symbolize love and commitment between two people who are engaged (or planning to be).

The engagement ring can be made from any type of material, but the most popular option is a diamond. The tradition of giving an engagement ring comes from ancient Rome, where it was customary for a man to give his bride-to-be a small piece of gold when proposing marriage.

Which Finger Do You Wear Your Engagement Ring On?

You may be surprised to learn that the left ring finger is not always the correct answer. The most commonly worn engagement ring finger is on your fourth (pinky) finger, but there’s nothing wrong with wearing it on another digit or even both hands if you like.

Since it’s become so mainstream over the years, the engagement ring finger is generally known to be on the left hand. However, there aren’t any steadfast rules about ways you must wear your wedding jewelry. If the ring feels comfortable on another digit or your opposite hand, you can wear it wherever you please.

Which Finger Is the Wedding Ring Finger?

There are many ways to choose where you’re going to wear your wedding ring and engagement ring, but there is one important rule: Your wedding band goes below the engagement ring. That’s because this position reflects the fact that married people typically wear their rings closer to their hearts—in other words, below the engagement ring.

The most popular way in the US is to have both on the ring finger of the left hand with your wedding band first, but you can separate them and wear them on opposite hands or even just one at a time. While it’s easy to obsess about which finger does a wedding ring go on, as long as it works for you and feels comfortable then that’s all that matters!

What Finger Does a Promise Ring Go On?

There is no specific rule for wearing a promise ring. Some couples opt to wear it on the same finger as their engagement and wedding rings, the fourth finger of the left hand, while others choose a different finger. If a promise ring is worn on the left hand, it is traditional to move it to the right hand ring finger after getting married, according to Lawler-Trustey.

As stated by Rachel Zoe: “It’s not about having expensive jewelry or being trendy; it’s about feeling comfortable in what you have.”

Why Do Some People Wear Their Wedding Ring on the Right Hand?

While it’s true that the original tradition is to wear your wedding band on your left hand, you’re certainly not obligated to follow this custom. If you don’t want to go against tradition, there are plenty of reasons why wearing it on the right hand makes sense! Some people prefer that because they feel like it looks better or more balanced with their other jewelry (like an engagement ring). And if you’re worried about what others might think if they notice your wedding ring is on the wrong hand? Don’t sweat it! Most people won’t even notice unless it’s pointed out—and even then, most will assume you just had a bad day at work and not give much thought beyond that.

If you do decide to go against tradition by putting your wedding band on the right hand instead of the left, some cultures may consider this as a signifier for widowhood rather than marriage. However, in countries where this is not seen as normal practice and therefore a widow wouldn’t have any reason to be wearing her wedding band on her right hand instead of her left—such as Britain—this isn’t likely an issue at all!

But if you choose to wear your wedding ring on your right hand, you’ll be in good company! Married couples in the following countries tend to wear their ring on the right hand:

• Bulgaria
• Germany
• Norway
• Austria
• Latvia
• Denmark
• Poland
• Netherlands
• Russia
• Some parts of Belgium
• Ukraine

In India, the left hand was considered unclean and unlucky, so wedding rings have always been worn on the right. Greek brides and grooms traditionally wear their wedding rings on the right, as do Orthodox Christians.

What Does Wearing Rings on Different Fingers Mean?

Different cultures associate different meanings with each finger. Traditionally, wedding rings are worn on the right hand ring finger, but some cultures wear them on their right index finger. Signet rings on the pinky finger are also sometimes related to marital status. However, there are no strict rules to follow and you can choose the finger that works best for your ring.

In the US and much of North and South America, the fourth finger on the left hand is commonly associated with wedding symbolism. An engagement ring is worn on the third finger of the left hand and the wedding ring is worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. But, there is no strict rule that these rings must be worn on specific fingers, and you can wear them on any finger that you find comfortable or that best suits the ring.

The tradition of wearing engagement and wedding rings is more about showing love and commitment than following specific rules. Choose the finger that you feel comfortable with and that showcases your symbol of love in the best way possible.

What Hand Should You Wear a Promise Ring On?

If the idea of giving or receiving a promise ring sounds appealing, then you’ll be happy to know that they can be worn on any finger, and even in other ways. The hand you wear your promise ring on is entirely up to you—so if wearing it on your right hand feels more natural for you, by all means go ahead! Promise rings are sometimes also worn as necklaces or bracelets.

As many couples choose not to announce their engagements publicly until they’re ready (or until it won’t ruin the surprise), some people opt out of exchanging diamond engagement rings altogether and instead give each other simple but meaningful promise rings as a symbol of their commitment before getting engaged.

Conclusion

We hope that we’ve been able to clear up any confusion you might have had about which finger you should wear your wedding ring on, and why. If you have any other questions about this topic, feel free to reach out! We’re always happy to help out with any advice or information we can offer.

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