Junior Rasmussen
Wedding ring placement varies across the world, with different countries and cultures favouring different hands and fingers. In Turkey, wedding rings are exchanged during an engagement ceremony, where they are worn on the right hand. Then, after the wedding, the rings are moved to the left hand. This is the opposite of some European traditions, where the wedding ring is worn on the left hand before marriage and then transferred to the right hand during the ceremony.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Which hand is the wedding ring worn on? | In Turkey, the wedding ring is worn on the left hand. |
| When is it moved to the left hand? | On the wedding day or sometime after the official ceremony. |
| Which hand is the ring worn on before the wedding? | The ring is worn on the right hand before the wedding. |
| Why is it worn on the right hand before the wedding? | It is worn on the right hand during the engagement ceremony. |
| Which finger is the ring worn on? | The ring is worn on the fourth finger (ring finger) of the right hand before the wedding and moved to the fourth finger of the left hand after the wedding. |
| Who places the ring on the finger? | An elder member of the family places the ring on the finger of the couple during the engagement ceremony. |
| What are wedding rings called in Turkey? | Wedding rings are called "alyans" in Turkey. |
| What is the origin of the word "alyans"? | The word "alyans" is borrowed from the French word "alliance". |
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What You'll Learn
Turkey's wedding ring traditions
Turkey has several unique wedding traditions, including the placement of the wedding ring on the right hand until the wedding day, after which it is moved to the left hand. This custom is also practised in Lebanon, Syria, Brazil, and several European countries.
In Turkish culture, the engagement ceremony is a significant event, almost like a small wedding. The bride's family hosts the ceremony, inviting friends and family to announce the couple's intention to marry. During the ceremony, the couple wears their wedding rings for the first time, tied together on a red ribbon. The ribbon is then cut, and guests cut small pieces to swallow, as it is believed to bring good luck to those hoping to marry.
Other Turkish wedding traditions include the bride writing the names of her single friends on the soles of her shoes, similar to the bouquet toss. In the past, a red ribbon was tied around the bride's waist as a symbol of virginity, though this is less common today. Another custom involves the groom's family and friends driving in a long car convoy to the bride's house, with the wedding car joining the convoy to the ceremony.
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Engagement and wedding ring differences
The customs and traditions surrounding engagement and wedding rings vary across the world. In Western countries, the left ring finger is where a wedding ring is most commonly worn. This custom has its roots in the ancient Egyptian belief in the "vein of love", which was supposed to lead from the fourth finger of the left hand directly to the heart.
In some European traditions, including many Orthodox ones, the wedding ring is worn on the left hand before marriage and then transferred to the right hand during the ceremony. In Turkey, it is generally the other way around. In other traditions, a relatively plain engagement ring is worn on one hand before marriage and replaced by a more ornate wedding ring on the other hand after marriage. In the UK, some people 'stack' the rings, wearing the engagement ring over the wedding ring, both on the left ring finger.
In India, wedding rings are worn on the right hand as the left is considered impure. In Brazil, the bride wears her wedding ring on the right hand, while the groom wears it on the left. In Taiwan, the wedding ring is worn on the left hand for men and the right hand for women. In Sri Lanka, the groom wears his wedding ring on his right hand, especially among the Sinhalese and Tamil people. In Muslim countries, exchanging wedding rings is not usually part of the wedding ceremony, and both men and women wear engagement rings, with men wearing them on their right hand and women on their left.
Engagement rings typically have a large central stone, either alone or surrounded by smaller stones. Wedding rings, on the other hand, are traditionally a plain metal band or a diamond-encrusted eternity band. Wedding bands are usually simpler in style and are often soldered together with the engagement ring. However, some people choose to wear their wedding ring and engagement ring in unique ways, such as on separate fingers.
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Wedding ring placement history
The history of wedding ring placement is a varied and fascinating topic. The choice of which hand to wear a wedding ring on has been influenced by various factors, including cultural traditions, personal beliefs, and practical considerations. While there is no universal "correct" way to wear a wedding ring, several traditions and customs have guided how people wear their rings over the years.
In Western cultures, the tradition is to wear the wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand, known as the "ring finger." This custom has its roots in the ancient belief of the "vein of love" or "vena amoris," which was supposed to run from the fourth finger of the left hand directly to the heart. This belief can be traced back to ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and Romans. The circular shape of the ring, with neither an end nor a beginning, also symbolized the infinity of love.
However, in many Eastern European, Northern European, and some Asian countries, the wedding ring is traditionally worn on the fourth finger of the right hand. This custom is particularly prevalent in Orthodox Christian cultures like Russia, Greece, and Bulgaria, where religious beliefs and historical practices dictate this placement. In these cultures, the right hand is often associated with righteousness and symbolic of a deep commitment.
Some countries, like Spain and the Netherlands, have regional or religious variations. For example, in Spain, wedding rings are generally worn on the right hand, except in regions like Catalonia, Valencia, and the Balearic Islands, where they are worn on the left. Similarly, in the Netherlands, Protestants wear wedding rings on the right hand, while Catholics wear them on the left.
Turkey is another country where wedding ring placement varies. Some sources indicate that Turkish people generally wear their wedding rings on the right hand before marriage and then move them to the left hand after the wedding. However, there are also accounts of Turkish women wearing their wedding rings on the left hand, while their husbands wear them on the right.
Over time, wedding ring placement has become a matter of personal preference for many people. Individuals may choose to wear their rings on the left hand to honor longstanding traditions or on the right hand to embrace their cultural heritage or express their personal beliefs. Celebrity trends and social media influences have also played a role in shaping wedding ring placement in recent years, with some celebrities opting for right-hand ring placement. Ultimately, the decision should be based on what resonates with the couple and their unique relationship.
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Other Turkish wedding traditions
In Turkey, wedding rings are worn on the right hand until the wedding day, after which it is moved to the left hand.
Turkish weddings are full of unique customs and rituals. One of the most prominent superstitions is the newlyweds stepping on each other's feet after saying "I do". This custom, which originated in Ancient Rome, symbolises that whoever steps on the other's shoes first will have the ultimate say in the marriage.
Henna night, or "kına gecesi", is another important ritual in Turkish weddings. It is a ceremony held a day or two before the wedding, where henna, associated with devotion and protection from evil, is applied to the bride's palm and the groom's pinky finger. During the ceremony, traditional folk songs are sung, and the bride is expected to cry to symbolise her true sorrow for leaving her family.
Turkish weddings also include a gold-adorning ceremony, where friends and family pin gold coins or bills to a sash worn by the newlyweds. This is done to wish the couple a prosperous future.
Another Turkish wedding tradition is the serving of keşkek, a traditional dish consisting of wheat barley and chicken. It is believed that the longer and more vigorously it is beaten, the better it tastes. Keşkek is considered indispensable for weddings as it symbolises marriage.
Lastly, Turkish weddings traditionally last three days and three nights, with the whole community participating in the celebrations through music and dance.
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Wedding ring customs in other countries
Wedding ring customs vary across the world, with differences in the hand on which the ring is worn, the finger, and the type of ring.
In some countries, the wedding ring is worn on the left hand, while in others, it is worn on the right. For example, in the UK, France, Italy, Turkey, and Sweden, the wedding ring is typically worn on the left hand. On the other hand, countries like Germany, Russia, Poland, and Ukraine favor wearing the wedding ring on the right hand. Some countries, such as the Netherlands and Spain, have varying traditions depending on the region or the wearer's religion. Additionally, in certain cultures, the ring may be worn on the left hand before marriage and then transferred to the right hand during the wedding ceremony or vice versa.
The finger on which the wedding ring is worn also differs internationally. While the ring finger is the most common choice globally, some traditions, like the Claddagh ring tradition in Ireland, dictate that the ring be worn on the right hand before marriage and moved to the left hand during engagement or after the wedding.
The type of ring also varies across cultures. In France, engagement rings often feature gemstones like sapphires, emeralds, or rubies instead of diamonds. In Russia, wedding rings may consist of three interlocking bands in different colors, symbolizing the Holy Trinity or the couple's past, present, and future. In Germany, couples exchange promise rings on their left hand during the dating phase and move them to their right hand after marriage. In Sweden, simple gold or silver bands are exchanged as engagement rings, and the bride receives a diamond ring on her wedding day. In Hindu cultures, brides may wear toe rings called "Bichiya" instead of finger rings.
The customs surrounding the exchange of rings also differ. In Argentina, couples exchange rings during their engagement rather than at the wedding ceremony. In Thailand, men present their prospective brides with golden jewelry, including an engagement ring, during a "thong mun" ceremony, symbolizing their ability to provide for their future wife.
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Frequently asked questions
In Turkey, the wedding ring is worn on the right hand before marriage and then moved to the left hand after the wedding.
In Turkey, the wedding ring is called "alyans", and it is part of the engagement ceremony. The couple wears the ring on their right hand until the wedding day.
The wedding ring is worn on the fourth finger (ring finger) of the right hand before marriage and then moved to the fourth finger of the left hand after the wedding.
Yes, in some regions of Turkey, the engagement ring is worn on the left hand before marriage and then transferred to the right hand during the wedding ceremony. This is the opposite of the more common practice in the country.
Yes, Turkish weddings have several unique traditions. One tradition includes the bride writing the names of her single friends on the soles of her shoes, similar to the bouquet toss. Another tradition involves tying a red ribbon around the bride's waist before she leaves her parents' home, symbolizing virginity.
