Wedding ring: which hand should you wear it on?
Although wearing the wedding ring on the left hand is a tradition in many countries, it is common to wear it on the right hand elsewhere. Between religious symbolism and cultural tradition, one can also choose on which hand to wear their wedding ring for practical and aesthetic reasons.
On which hand is a wedding ring worn ? The tradition
To decide on which hand to wear your wedding ring, you can look into local customs and traditions. In France, the wedding ring is traditionally worn on the ring finger of the left hand. Here is where this habit comes from, and why the right hand is preferred in other countries.
Wedding band on the left hand
In Antiquity, among the Romans and Greeks, people wore the wedding band on the left hand. This may have originated from an Egyptian belief regarding a " vein of love " which they located between the heart and the left ring finger. They may have thought to protect this vena amoris with a ring. Even as anatomical knowledge evolved, the tradition persisted.
Wedding band on the right hand
Nevertheless, in the Middle Ages, many people in Europe wore their wedding band on the right hand. This tradition has continued in several countries. Then, around the 17th century, wearing the wedding band on the left hand became common, especially in France.There are religious reasons, but also cultural ones. In the Catholic religion, couples often wear the wedding ring on the left hand, but not everywhere in the world.
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Find out where to wear your engagement ring after the wedding.
Woman or man: does this influence which hand the wedding ring is worn on?
In most cultures, no. Men and women follow the same traditions regarding which hand to wear their wedding ring on.However, there are fascinating exceptions where gender can influence this practice.
In Sri Lanka and among Tamils, for example, women wear their wedding ring on the left hand, while men prefer the right hand. This difference is partly explained by spiritual beliefs: the right hand is often associated with sacred actions and male authority, while the left hand, although considered less dominant, is linked to intuition and emotion.
Should the wedding ring be worn on the left ring finger ?
There are several reasons that may encourage you to wear your wedding ring on the left ring finger. The custom is extremely ancient. The etymology of the word " ring finger " is deeply rooted in the collective unconscious of many cultures.This comes from the Latin anularis meaning " related to the ring ." In English, the left ring finger is called ringfinger, literally " the finger of the ring ."
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However, you could freely choose on which hand to wear a wedding ring. When a ring is part of the marriage tradition, although the preferred finger is often the ring finger, it is not necessarily the one on the left hand. If we move away from the West, in certain cultures and religions, the wedding ring is worn on the ring finger but regardless of which hand. In some countries, the woman wears the wedding ring on the left hand and the man on the right hand.
Thus, there is no universal choice and the same applies to the appearance of the rings. They can be adorned with diamonds or have no stone, be sapphire rings, or feature other colored gemstones…
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Also read: on which finger to wear the engagement ring?
Can you wear your wedding band on the right hand ?
During the exchange of rings in Orthodox Christian ceremonies (which takes place during the engagement ceremony), they are placed on the right hand.The right hand is also strongly associated with faith in certain cultures with a Protestant tradition, such as in Northern Europe. In the Jewish tradition, there are various customs, but one of them is to place the woman's wedding ring on the right hand (ring finger or index finger).
Wearing your wedding ring on the right hand is a widespread practice around the world. This mainly depends on the religious symbolism associated with the hands, knowing that for many, the right hand is the one that swears, promises, and commits !
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Wedding ring: which hand for Islam?
The Prophet Muhammad generally wore his ring on his ring finger. Accounts differ regarding which hand was used: some hadiths mention the right hand, others the left hand. Both practices are therefore permitted, and may vary from one tradition to another. However, it is forbidden to wear a ring on the index or middle finger, in accordance with prophetic traditions (source).
Conclusion: wear your wedding ring on whichever hand and finger you prefer!
Tradition offers a reassuring framework for determining the hand and finger for wearing the wedding ring. However, these are by no means an obligation.Each woman or man is free to follow customs or to break away from them, according to their personal, morphological, or cultural preferences.
For example, although Indian culture often associates the wedding ring with the right hand, more and more city dwellers today are choosing the left hand, influenced by the West and changing mindsets. This choice perfectly illustrates the freedom to make such an intimate symbol as the wedding ring your own.
Furthermore, practical or aesthetic reasons can also guide your decision. Some people prefer to wear their ring on the left hand to avoid damaging it, especially if the right hand is dominant. Others choose a different finger than the ring finger for comfort reasons.
