Left Hand: Wedding Band Hand

The wedding band is traditionally worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, also known as the ring finger. This tradition can be traced back to the Ancient Romans, who believed that this finger had a vein, the Vena Amoris or vein of love, that ran directly from the finger to the heart. However, it is not a global tradition. In some countries, such as Russia, Germany, Norway, Austria, Denmark, Poland, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Spain, and India, wedding bands are traditionally worn on the right hand.

The left hand is the most common choice for a wedding band

The tradition of wearing wedding rings on the left hand can be traced back to ancient Roman times. According to Roman belief, the "vena amoris" ran directly from the fourth finger of the left hand to the heart. This belief gradually spread throughout Europe and evolved into a widely adopted symbolic gesture of love and commitment. Many cultures worldwide have embraced this tradition, including those in the Western world and much of Europe, where it is customary to wear the wedding ring on the left hand.

In some countries, however, different traditions and cultural preferences come into play. For instance, in Germany, Norway, Austria, Denmark, Russia, and India, it is customary to wear the wedding ring on the right hand. These variations often stem from historical beliefs or cultural perceptions of the left hand. For example, the ancient Romans considered the left hand unreliable and untrustworthy, while in India, the left hand was traditionally regarded as impure.

While these cultural differences exist, the left hand remains the predominant choice for wedding bands globally. This choice is often influenced by the romantic sentiment associated with the belief that the left hand's ring finger is directly connected to the heart. The tradition has persisted even though modern anatomical understanding disproves the existence of a singular "vein of love."

Ultimately, the choice of which hand to wear a wedding band on is a personal decision. Couples may opt to follow cultural traditions, create their own unique variations, or make decisions based on comfort and practicality.

The right hand is also used in some cultures

The tradition of wearing wedding rings on the left hand can be traced back to ancient Roman times. According to Roman belief, the vein of love (or Vena Amoris) runs directly from the fourth finger of the left hand to the heart. This tradition gradually spread throughout Europe, evolving into a widely adopted symbol of love and commitment.

However, the right hand is also used in some cultures. In Germany, for example, the wedding ring is worn on the ring finger of the right hand. In India, the left hand was considered impure, so wedding rings are worn on the right hand. Similarly, in Jewish tradition, women wear their engagement band on the right ring finger and then swap it out for a wedding band on the same finger after marriage. In Greece, Belgium, Russia, Norway, Austria, Denmark, Latvia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Poland, and Spain, the wedding ring is also traditionally worn on the right hand.

In some countries, the placement of the wedding ring varies depending on the stage of the relationship. In Brazil, Colombia, and Turkey, the ring is worn on the right hand before the wedding and then moved to the left hand after the ceremony. In Sri Lanka, the groom wears the wedding band on the right hand, while the bride wears it on the left. In Germany and the Netherlands, golden engagement rings are worn on the left hand, and wedding rings are worn on the right.

The left hand was considered 'unlucky' in some cultures

The left hand has been considered unlucky in many cultures throughout history. The Latin word for 'left' is 'sinister', which also means 'unlucky' or 'evil'. In some cultures, the left hand is considered impure or unclean, and food is traditionally eaten with the right hand only. In India, for example, the left hand is often considered impure, and parents are often seen trying to force their left-handed children to use their right hand. In ancient Rome, the left hand was believed to be unreliable, untrustworthy, and unhappy.

In many religions, including Christianity, the right hand of God is the favoured hand. For example, Jesus sits at God's right side. God's left hand, however, is the hand of judgement. The Archangel Gabriel is sometimes called "God's left hand" and sits at God's left side. In some parts of Scotland, it is considered bad luck to meet a left-handed person at the start of a journey. In Ghana, pointing, gesturing, giving or receiving items with the left hand is considered taboo or rude.

In some cultures, the left side of the body is associated with female energy, while the right side is associated with male energy. In Vedic astrology, the left part of a woman's body is considered auspicious and sacred, which is why during marriage, the woman is seated on the man's left side.

In some cultures, the left hand is associated with spiritual powers. Indigenous tribes from the Andes, for example, believe that left-handed people possess spiritual powers, such as magic and healing.

The left hand's ring finger was once believed to have a vein connected to the heart

The tradition of wearing a wedding band on the left hand dates back thousands of years. The left-hand ring finger, also known as the fourth finger, was once believed to be connected to the heart through a vein called the Vena Amoris, or the "vein of love". This belief originated in ancient Egypt and was later adopted by the ancient Greeks and Romans. According to the ancient Egyptians, wearing a wedding ring on this finger symbolised the strong love shared between two people.

The Romans also believed that the left hand was unreliable, untrustworthy, and unhappy, which may have further reinforced the custom of wearing wedding rings on the right hand. In the 16th century, King Edward VI of England decreed that all couples must wear their wedding rings on the fourth finger of the left hand, formalising the tradition.

Over time, this tradition spread and persisted, particularly in Western cultures, where it remains common to wear a wedding band on the left hand. However, modern anatomy has since disproven the existence of a direct vein from the left-hand ring finger to the heart, revealing that all fingers have venous connections to the heart. Nevertheless, the tradition continues, with many couples still choosing to designate their left-hand ring finger as a symbol of their commitment and love.

While the left hand is the more popular choice for wedding bands, there is no universal rule, and the choice of which hand to wear a wedding ring is influenced by cultural traditions, personal preferences, and comfort. Some cultures, such as in India, Germany, Norway, and Russia, traditionally wear wedding rings on the right hand due to various beliefs and associations with the left hand. Ultimately, the decision of which hand to wear a wedding band is a personal choice, allowing couples to customise their wedding traditions to align with their beliefs and preferences.

There is no 'correct' hand for a wedding band

There is no correct hand for a wedding band. While many cultures and countries have traditions dictating which hand wedding and engagement rings are worn on, there is no universally accepted rule.

In the Western world and much of Europe, it is traditional to wear a wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand, or the 'ring finger'. This tradition is said to have originated with the ancient Egyptians and was later adopted by the ancient Greeks and Romans. The Romans believed that this finger had a vein, the 'vena amoris' or 'vein of love', that ran directly to the heart. However, our modern understanding of anatomy has since disproved this.

Despite this, many people around the world continue to wear their wedding rings on their left hand. This includes people in the UK, US, and Chile. In Chile, engagement rings are worn on the right hand and then moved to the left after the wedding.

However, there are several countries and cultures that wear wedding rings on the right hand, including Russia, Poland, Norway, Austria, Denmark, Latvia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Spain, India, Germany, and the Netherlands. In Germany, golden engagement rings are worn on the left hand and wedding rings are worn on the right. In the Netherlands, Catholics traditionally wear wedding rings on their left hand, while Protestants wear them on their right.

In some cultures, the hand that wedding rings are worn on differs between men and women. In Turkey, for example, wedding rings are worn on the right hand before the wedding and then moved to the left hand after. In Sri Lanka, grooms wear their wedding bands on their right hand, while brides wear them on their left.

Ultimately, the hand you choose to wear your wedding ring on is up to you and may be influenced by your personal preferences, traditions, or culture.

Frequently asked questions