Junior Rasmussen
The tradition of wearing a wedding band on the left hand dates back to ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. These cultures believed that a vein in this finger, the vena amoris or vein of love, connected the finger and the heart. In many Western countries, the wedding ring is worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. However, in some countries, including Germany, Norway, Austria, and Russia, wedding rings are traditionally worn on the right hand. Ultimately, the choice of which hand to wear your wedding ring on depends on traditions, cultural norms, and personal preferences.
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What You'll Learn
The left hand's 'vein of love'
The tradition of wearing a wedding band on the left hand comes from the now-disproven belief that the left ring finger contained the "vena amoris", or the vein of love, that ran directly to the heart. This belief has been cited in Western cultures as one of the reasons the engagement ring and/or wedding ring was placed on the fourth finger, or "ring finger".
The notion of the vein of love dates back to ancient times and is thought to originate in Egypt. The Egyptians believed that a diamond ring worn on this finger could ignite eternal love. The earliest known documentation of the vena amoris is accredited to Macrobius (395-423 AD), who implies in his work of fiction that the vein is more magical than physical. The Christian philosopher and historian Saint Isidore of Seville (c.560-636) wrote during the 7th century of a Roman story telling of a vein connected to the heart and the bond of love.
A thousand years later, in 1686, English ecclesiastical lawyer Henry Swinburne identified the vena amoris as a vein of blood passing to the heart, found in the fourth finger of the left hand. This belief continued in England until the 17th century, when more came to be understood about the circulatory system. It was not until the 17th century that physician William Harvey proved that all blood veins flow to the heart.
Despite the fact that this romantic notion has been debunked, tradition holds true for many couples, and newlyweds across the world continue to designate the fourth finger of their left hand as a space to signify their commitment to each other.
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Traditions in Germany
In Germany, there are several traditions and customs associated with weddings. Firstly, the engagement ring is traditionally worn on the left hand, and after the wedding, it is moved to the right hand, where the wedding band is placed. This custom is said to originate from the idea that the right hand is the "correct" hand used for swearing oaths and is considered a symbol of honour and trust. The left hand is associated with the heart, conveying that the couple is together by heart.
Before the wedding, the friends of the groom may throw a bachelor party, known as a "Junggesellenabschied", at a local pub a few weeks prior. On the eve of the wedding, a tradition called "Polterabend" involves food, drink, and the breaking of plates and tableware (except glasses and crystal). The bride and groom clean up the mess together, symbolising their ability to work as a team.
The wedding ceremony itself often includes a civil ceremony at the local Standesamt a few days or months before a larger church wedding. The civil ceremony is legally binding, and some couples opt only for this simple ritual with close relatives and friends as witnesses. The bride typically wears a white gown, and the groom dresses in black. After the church wedding, rice is thrown as the newlyweds exit, and a white ribbon is tied to the antennas of cars in the procession through town, with horns honking.
At the reception, the first dance is customarily a waltz reserved for the bride and groom, followed by a dance for the bride and her father, and the groom and his mother. May is usually a preferred month for weddings in Germany.
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Customs in India
In India, the right hand is considered auspicious, and wearing the engagement ring on the right hand is believed to bring good fortune. Traditionally, Indian couples wore their engagement and wedding rings on their right hand. This practice stems from the cultural and religious beliefs unique to the region.
However, Indian wedding customs have evolved over the years, and many couples now wear their engagement and wedding rings on their left hand, influenced by popular Western culture. The left hand is considered inauspicious in India, and most Hindu rituals involve adorning the left ring finger with bands. The left hand is also considered the hand closer to the heart, honouring the ancient belief that a vein called the "vena amoris" or the "vein of love" runs from this finger directly to the heart. This belief dates back to ancient Egypt, where people wore rings on the third finger of their left hand, and later spread throughout the Mediterranean and into Europe during Greek and Roman times.
In India, the wedding ring is placed on the fourth finger of the left hand for both men and women. This mirrors the bride's ring and engagement finger, symbolising their parallel pledges before their families and communities. It also signifies fidelity, unity, and the merging of two souls.
While the left-hand tradition is now widely accepted in India, some modern grooms are choosing to express their individuality by wearing their wedding band on the right hand, adopting Western conventions, or following specific regional and religious traditions that call for wearing wedding jewellery on the middle finger. Ultimately, the decision of which hand to wear the wedding ring on is a personal choice that may be influenced by cultural, religious, and personal factors.
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Same-sex couples
For same-sex couples, there is no set rule for which finger to wear your wedding ring on. You might choose to wear your ring on the same finger of the same hand as your partner, or you might prefer to wear it on different fingers. Ultimately, the choice is yours.
In Western cultures, the wedding ring finger is traditionally the fourth finger of the left hand. This tradition dates back to ancient times, with some sources saying it originated in ancient Egypt, and others saying it began with the Romans. The Romans called the vein on this finger the "Vena Amoris", or vein of love, believing it ran directly to the heart. However, modern science has shown that all fingers have venous connections to the heart.
In recent years, it has become popular for same-sex couples to wear their wedding rings on the right-hand ring finger. This may be to make a statement of monogamy, to differentiate from the traditional practice, or to signal their relationship status discreetly. In some countries, such as Germany and the Netherlands, it is common for both men and women to wear their wedding rings on the right hand. In other countries, such as Russia and India, the wedding ring is worn on the right hand during the engagement period and then switched to the left hand during the wedding ceremony.
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Practical considerations
There are several practical considerations to take into account when deciding which hand to wear your wedding ring on. Firstly, comfort is an important factor. If you are left-handed, for example, you might prefer to wear your wedding ring on your right hand to avoid interfering with your daily activities. Similarly, if you work with your hands often, you may want to choose a different finger or hand for your ring to avoid any interference or wear and tear.
The type of metal used for the wedding ring is another practical consideration. Softer metals, such as gold, are more susceptible to scratches and wear. If you engage in manual work or have an active lifestyle, opting for a harder metal or wearing the ring on a less-used hand or finger can help protect it from damage.
For those who plan to wear both an engagement ring and a wedding ring, practicality may dictate that they be worn on separate hands or fingers. This can be for comfort, to showcase each ring, or to create a balanced feeling. Additionally, some couples choose to solder their engagement and wedding rings together, creating a unified piece with added symbolism.
Ultimately, the decision of which hand to wear your wedding ring on is a personal choice that may be influenced by a combination of factors, including tradition, comfort, culture, and practicality.
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Frequently asked questions
There are no fixed rules on which hand wedding rings should be worn on. In many Western countries, the wedding ring is worn on the fourth finger on the left hand. However, in countries including India, Germany, Spain, Norway, Russia, Austria, Bulgaria, Greece, Poland, Latvia, and Ukraine, wedding rings are traditionally worn on the right hand.
The custom of wearing a wedding ring on the right hand goes back to the Roman Catholic Church, which referred to the right ring finger as the "finger of truth".
The tradition of wearing a wedding ring on the left hand dates back to ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. These cultures believed that a vein in this finger, called the "vena amoris" or "vein of love", connected the finger and the heart.
