What hand and finger do you wear your engagement ring on? This may seem like a silly question because you know that an engagement ring goes on the “ring finger” of the left hand. Or does it? Where the engagement ring goes can vary according to tradition in your nation of origin and according to your religion. For that matter, engagement rings are a much newer tradition than wedding rings. While married couples have been wearing wedding rings for as long as 5,000 years, engagement rings have “only” been around since the 1400s.
Who Wears the Engagement Ring on the Left Hand and Ring Finger?
The choice of the “ring” or fourth finger on the left hand goes back to ancient Rome. Those folks incorrectly thought that there was a vein that ran from the finger right to a person’s heart. They named this vein (which does not really exist) Vena Amoris. That translates to “Vein of Love.” So, they put the wedding ring on that finger. The choice of a ring was significant in ancient Rome as a symbol of completeness. As such it was a more appropriate symbol of a long and faithful marriage than a necklace, bracelet, or earrings. Although the Romans placed significance in the “ring” finger of the left hand, other people in other cultures did not.
Catholic couples, whose religious traditions center on Rome still follow this ring placement for both the wedding ring and engagement ring. But, those of the Greek and Russian Orthodox faiths usually wear their rings on the right hand on the fourth or “ring” finger.
How Did Engagement Rings Come to Be?
It was in the 1400s in Austria when an Archduke gave his fiancée a ring when they became engaged. That started the tradition of giving a ring as a promise of marriage at the time of the engagement. The addition of an eternal diamond to the ring that signifies completeness is another statement of the promise of enduring love. In fact, over the years, engagement rings for men have occasionally been in fashion! With the legalization of same-sex marriages, this tradition has become more common.
Where Is the Engagement Ring at the Time of the Marriage?
There is a practical matter of where to wear the engagement ring during the wedding ceremony. Whether you are wearing your rings on the left or right hand, the wedding ring always is placed closer to the heart than the engagement ring. But, what happens when the groom wants to place the ring on the bride’s finger and the engagement ring is already there? A practical solution followed by many brides is to switch the engagement ring to the fourth finger of the other hand just before the ceremony. The wedding ring is properly placed closest to the heart and the married woman simply moves the engagement ring back to the original finger after the ceremony! This simple “trick” helps avoid a lot of fumbling and fussing during a touching part of the wedding ceremony.
Is There a Hard and Fast Rule about Where to Place the Engagement Ring?
The answer is, no. It is up to you where to place your engagement ring and your wedding ring. Although most women wear their rings all of the time, others only wear their rings on special occasions. It really is up to you!
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