Which hand to wear an engagement on is motivated by a number of traditions, culture, and personal choices. What seems like an easy decision can actually be quite variable, rooted in historical convention and modern usage. This guide will help you understand the tradition associated with the placement of an engagement ring, cultural differences, the symbolism of the ring finger, and how to wear your engagement ring both before and after the wedding.
Engagement Ring Hand: Left or Right?
An engagement ring is worn on the ring finger, which is the fourth finger of the left hand, and this is a tradition. It’s actually commonly referred to as the ‘ring finger’; many cultures do this—more especially those in the western world—the Americans, Canadians, and the British in particular. They took engagement rings to be worn on the ring finger in the left hand, and this can be dated back to the Roman civilization of the feeling that there was a vein, commonly known as the vena amoris, which passed directly on the ring finger of the left hand through the heart. Saying that one puts a ring on that finger just means that love is eternal and one is linked to the heart in the most direct manner.
There are other places and customs where it is exactly the right hand where the engagement ring is worn. Such practices exist in countries like Germany, Russia, and India in which cultural and religious belief hold the supremacy to decide the side of the ring fingers on which the engagement ring has to be worn.
Which Finger for an Engagement Ring?
The engagement and the wedding ring have, for tradition, been placed on the ring finger, which is the fourth finger of the hand. But, where did the ring finger stem from? The ring finger should be emphasized together with the ancient Roman myth about the vena amoris; however, there is another superstition that this finger is associated with stability and loyalty.
The engagement ring, which is worn on the fourth finger, symbolizes love and at the same time the promise of marriage; it is, therefore, a perfect finger for such an important kind of jewelry.
Engagement Ring Tradition
Engagement rings have been in practice from Roman times, when men gave their ladies silver rings as a sign of commitment but the present engagement ring, which is the diamond ring, became fashionable in the 15th century. It is believed that this practice was started by Archduke Maximilian of Austria to his sweetheart, who was to become his wife in the next year, Mary of Burgundy, in the year 1477, by presenting her with a diamond ring.
In the long run, it was turned to use as an engagement ring and thus transformed part of wedding traditions as to engagement, to mean marriage. In the present day, there is what can be referred to as the ‘engagement ring', which is presented to the partner before the marriage ceremony, while the ‘wedding ring’ is presented to the same partner during the marriage ceremony.
Wedding Ring vs Engagement Ring
While most people wear them together, there is also a distinction made between the two: the wedding ring and another ring, which is given to the lady before marriage, commonly known as the engagement ring.beliefs This is the ring that is normally offered when one offers to make a proposal with the aim of getting married. The wedding ring or what is commonly known as the wedding band, is presented to each other during the wedding, which makes it legal.
While the engagement ring may have a diamond or any other precious stone, it is louder than the wedding ring, which, in most cases, is plain. Together, the two rings are usually worn on the left-hand ring finger, the wedding ring being nearer to the heart.
Left Hand Engagement Ring
In most western countries, it is tradition to wear the engagement ring on the left hand and on the fourth finger. This is as old as hundreds of years and up to the present time, this is the most frequently followed tradition; the engagement ring is worn on this finger. Its meaning is love, oneness and a perfect love ship to the heart and that is used at the left hand.
Right Hand Engagement Ring
Many cultures still apply the practice of wearing an engagement ring on the right hand. Countries like Germany and Russia, among others in India, exercise this tradition according to their cultural or religious beliefs. In these countries, the right hand has more meaning for a particular occasion, such as engagement and marriage.
Others wear the engagement ring on the right hand for more practical purposes, such as being a left-handed person and setting the ring on the non-dominating hand to avoid wear and tear.
Ring Finger Meaning
Love, commitment and tradition are associated with the ring finger. It has been usual for centuries to take such an idea as symbolic; that is why, according to the ancient belief, the ring finger is the direct vein to the heart. It is also a sign of love and commitment between two people that is eternal to wear in engagement or wedding ring on this finger.
Engagement Ring Placement: Cultural Differences
From which hand the engagement ring should be worn is commonly widespread in many cultural differences. In many Western cultures, the left hand continues to be the favorite for both the engagement and wedding rings. However, as was said, the right hand is traditionally chosen in countries like Germany, Russia, Poland, and India.
More culturally, the engagement ring may even be taken off after the wedding, leaving only the wedding band to wear. Other cultures allow for rings to be worn on separate hands; this is both a historical significance and personal preference.
Engagement Ring Customs
It is interesting to know that traditions and engagement rings are totally different in the world countries. In some cultures, both people exchange engagement rings, while in some cultures only the woman has to wear a ring. While some cultures have a strong perception towards the material from which the ring is made or the gemstone, for others the real concern is towards what that ring symbolizes.
How to Wear an Engagement Ring
Traditionally, the engagement ring is worn on the ring finger of the left hand and it will be traditional that the wedding band will be worn below it after the marriage. But there are people who just like to pick them depending on the feel they want or the texture that really suits them and at times, even the cultural value.
Wedding Band and Engagement Ring Etiquette
The most widely accepted rule on how to wear the band and engagement ring is that the wedding band goes first, following the engagement ring. This signifies that the wedding band has to be closest to the heart since it represents the marriage itself.
There are many customs and traditions that people use; some brides switch the engagement ring to the right hand during the wedding to make way for the wedding band. They then return it to the left hand over what has become the wedding band.
Engagement Ring Symbolism
The engagement ring is more than just the visible beauty of a diamond or stone: the love, commitment, and promise of a lifetime together. The circular shape of the ring contributes to the symbolism, too, evoking eternal meaning, where the bond can never be broken.
The meaning of each gemstone and metal can be selected in the ring. A diamond is a stone of purity and strength, although there may be other stones, like sapphires or emeralds, that have different meanings due to cultural significance.
Engagement Ring History
The story of an engagement ring is not as simple as a piece of jewelry given from one person to the other. Although, as it has been mentioned, ancient Egyptians used to give braid reed rings as engagement rings, the tradition of proposing with a diamond ring is considered to originate from the 15th century only. In the course of time, an engagement ring has turned into an antithesis of a symbolic pledge of love. For most of the century, due to persuasive advertising strategies, diamond attained an unbeatable position in the list of the general most admired gems.
Wearing Engagement Ring After Marriage
An engagement ring is usually worn with the wedding band after the wedding ceremony is over. Some do prefer to wear them daily, while others switch the engagement ring to events that are special only. Of course, there is not black and white in personal feelings; there is only comfort and significance.
FAQs
To which hand does an engagement ring should be worn?
In most of the customs within Western culture, the engagement ring is worn on the left hand of the intended. But in some nations, such as Germany or Russia, men wear this piece of jewelry on their right hand.
Should I wear the engagement ring while going through the actual ceremony of a wedding?
It is used that almost all brides move the engagement ring for the right hand during the wedding ceremony and then put it on the left hand after the wedding ring is placed.
May I wear my engagement ring on my right hand?
Of course, you can wear it on the right hand if you like this, or it has to be like this in your country, or maybe it would be better for you to wear it on the right hand.