Franklin Dean
There are many traditions and beliefs surrounding the wearing of engagement and wedding rings. The simplest way is to wear the wedding band first, closer to one's heart, followed by the engagement ring. This is said to depict the marriage bond. The wedding band, representing your marriage vows, is positioned nearest to your heart, while the engagement ring acts as a protective guard for your marriage bond. However, there are many different ways to wear wedding bands and wedding sets, and it ultimately boils down to personal preferences and whether one is a stickler for tradition or enjoys making up their own.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cultural traditions | In the US, the wedding ring is worn under the engagement ring; in Sweden, the wedding ring is worn over the engagement ring. |
| Personal preferences | Some people choose to wear the engagement ring on top because they take it off more often, while others prefer to wear the wedding band on top as it was given after the engagement ring. |
| Symbolism | The wedding band is closest to the heart, representing the marriage bond, while the engagement ring acts as a protective guard for the marriage. |
| Order of receiving the rings | Some people prefer to wear their rings in the order they are received, with the engagement ring received first. |
| Ancient traditions | The ancient Egyptians wore their rings based on a belief in the 'vena amoris' or 'vein of love' in Latin, which they believed travelled directly from the ring finger of the left hand to the heart. |
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What You'll Learn
There is no wrong way
In most cultures, the wedding and engagement rings are worn on the right hand's ring finger before the wedding. Some people choose to move their engagement ring to their right hand during the wedding ceremony so that the wedding band can be placed on the left ring finger. This is because, in Western cultures, the left ring finger is thought to be closest to the heart.
Traditionally, the wedding band is placed first, followed by the engagement ring. This is said to symbolise the phases a couple goes through in their relationship, with the engagement ring representing a promise and the wedding ring crystallising that promise. However, some people choose to wear their engagement ring first, either because it makes logical sense to wear the rings in the order they are received or because it can be annoying to take off the wedding ring each time you want to remove your engagement ring.
There are also some people who choose not to wear both rings at the same time. You might choose to wear only your wedding band every day, reserving your engagement ring for special occasions. Or you might want to wear only your engagement ring and forgo the wedding band.
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Traditions and symbolism
Engagement rings are typically given before the wedding as a symbol of devotion, commitment, and the promise of marriage. The circular shape of the ring represents eternity and infinite love. In some cultures, the engagement ring is worn on the left hand's ring finger, believed to contain a vein, the "vena amoris," that leads directly to the heart. This belief dates back to ancient Egyptian and Roman traditions.
During the wedding ceremony, the engagement ring is often moved to the right hand to make way for the wedding band on the left ring finger, closest to the heart. The wedding ring signifies the couple's eternal commitment and is usually a simple band of gold or platinum. In some cultures, both spouses exchange wedding rings, while in others, only the bride receives a ring from the groom.
While these are general traditions, there is no single right or wrong way to wear engagement and wedding rings. Couples may choose to follow cultural customs or create their own unique traditions, reflecting their personal preferences and beliefs.
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Different cultures, different practices
The tradition of wearing wedding bands and engagement rings is observed in many cultures, but the way they are worn and the significance behind them differ.
In Western culture, the engagement ring is worn first, followed by the wedding ring during the wedding ceremony. Both rings are typically worn on the left-hand ring finger, with the wedding band closest to the heart, and the engagement ring worn in front of it. In the United States and Canada, wedding rings were initially only worn by wives, but during the 20th century, it became customary for both spouses to wear them. In some Western countries, partners wear matching rings, and engagement rings may also be used as wedding rings.
In Hindu culture, engagement and wedding rings are not traditionally worn. Instead, a necklace or pendant, known as a "Mangalsutra," is given to the bride during the wedding ceremony, symbolizing her married status. In some parts of India, Hindu women may wear a toe ring or "bichiya" instead of a finger ring. In eastern India, primarily in West Bengal, women wear an iron bangle called a "loha," which may be gold- or silver-plated.
In Chinese culture, both rings are worn on the left hand's ring finger, with the wedding band in front of the engagement ring. In Japanese culture, the wedding band is first worn on the right ring finger during the ceremony, and then moved to the left hand's ring finger, with the wedding band in front of the engagement ring.
In Muslim culture, engagement and wedding rings are not traditionally exchanged, but a simple gold band may be exchanged during the wedding ceremony. In Nordic countries, engagement rings are worn by both men and women, and they are typically plain gold bands. In Germany, it has been customary for both spouses to wear a wedding ring since at least the 1870s.
In Latin American culture, the engagement ring is worn first on the left hand's ring finger, followed by the wedding band during the wedding. Couples in Latin America might change hand positions after getting married. In Greece, the same practice is followed, with the engagement ring worn first, followed by the wedding band during the wedding, both on the left hand's ring finger.
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Infinity and eternity rings
There is no one correct way to wear your engagement and wedding rings. The order in which you wear them can depend on your culture, religion, or personal preference. The traditional way, passed down by the ancient Egyptians, is to wear the wedding band first, closest to the heart, followed by the engagement ring. This is because the engagement ring is given before marriage, acting as a promise or a declaration of future intentions, while the wedding band is exchanged during the ceremony, signifying the start of a new phase in the couple's relationship.
Now, let's talk about infinity and eternity rings. These rings are given to express undying love and can be used as promise rings, engagement rings, or to commemorate a special occasion, such as an anniversary or the birth of a child. They are incredibly versatile and can be designed with a lot of creativity. While they share similar meanings, there are some differences between them.
Infinity rings are named after their prominent feature: the infinity symbol, or figure 8, which symbolises eternal love with no beginning or end. The symbol can be incorporated in various ways, such as at the top of the ring, replicated in the band, or with a twisting pattern in the band. They may also include a centre stone, which can increase the price.
Eternity rings, on the other hand, are usually bands of precious metal, like gold or silver, set with a continuous line of identically cut gemstones, most often diamonds, symbolising never-ending love. They are sometimes referred to as "half-eternity" rings if the stones are only across the face of the ring. Eternity rings were created in the 1960s by diamond companies to promote the use of multiple small diamonds, which were more readily available than large ones.
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Personal preference
Ultimately, there is no right or wrong way to wear your wedding and engagement rings—it's a matter of personal preference. While some cultures and traditions have prescribed ways of wearing these rings, you can choose to follow or disregard them as you see fit.
For example, in Western cultures, it is customary to wear both the engagement and wedding rings on the fourth finger of the left hand, with the wedding band placed first (closest to the heart) and the engagement ring on top. This arrangement symbolises the phases a couple goes through in their relationship, with the engagement preceding the marriage. It also represents the marriage vows and the promise of commitment, with the wedding band positioned nearest to the heart and the engagement ring acting as a protective guard for the marriage bond.
However, you may choose to wear your rings on different fingers or hands, or even forgo one of the rings in favour of the other. For instance, some people prefer to wear their engagement ring on its own, reserving it for special occasions, while wearing their wedding band daily. Others may opt to wear their wedding ring on the outside, with the engagement ring on the inside, as is traditionally done in Sweden.
Additionally, you might decide to incorporate additional rings, such as eternity or infinity rings, into the mix. These rings can be worn on the right hand or stacked together with the wedding and engagement rings on the left hand. Ultimately, the decision of how to wear your rings is entirely up to you and can be based on factors such as comfort, ring design, symbolism, and personal preference.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no right or wrong way to wear your engagement ring and wedding band. You can follow traditions or do something completely different.
In most Western cultures, the wedding band is worn first (closest to the heart) followed by the engagement ring. This arrangement symbolises the phases the couple goes through in their relationship.
Some people choose to wear their engagement ring and wedding band on different hands, or wear them on the same finger in the opposite order. In Sweden, for example, the wedding ring is placed over the engagement ring to seal the marriage.
You don't have to wear both rings at the same time. You might choose to wear only your wedding band daily and reserve your engagement ring for special occasions, or vice versa.
