Engagement rings are the modern standard, but this wasn’t always the case. An engagement ring is worn to signify the promise of marriage and commitment between two individuals. Which hand and finger did the ancient Egyptians wear it on? As previously mentioned: Ancient Egypt, and also Rome. Whether you have a blue sapphire or a pink morganite, your gemstone engagement ring has one ultra-special value. Does that mean I can wear it on either hand? Wedding traditions of the Jewish community dictate the wedding ring … Once diamonds were discovered in South Africa in the late 1800s, miners optimized production and by the mid 20th century, diamond engagement rings populated department stores. Prior to modern science, the ancients believed in a vein called “vena amoris.” They also believed that this “vein of love” connected the fourth finger on the left hand with the heart. Call it religious folklore, but the latin origin of the word ‘left’ means sinister or evil. For example, if you are left-handed, wearing the ring on your right hand will offer more protection to the ring and keep it safer from impact and blows. There is no vena amoris and the fourth finger of the left hand does not have any connection to the heart. Does everyone wear their engagement rings on the left ring finger? Attribute it to good ol’ mythology. Like many fashion trends, the meaning of wearing an engagement ring on your right hand depends on personal preference. Now, what about wearing an engagement ring on the right hand? People believed that the vein from the heart travelled through that finger. In countries such as the UK and the US, where the left ring finger tends to be earmarked for love and commitment, wearing a diamond ring on the right hand makes it clear that it is not an engagement ring. Some chose to use the ring finger (next to the pinky) on the right hand for the engagement and/or wedding ring because of it's resonance with, but difference from, the traditional heterosexual symbolism. We’ve covered the left ring finger. However, where it is placed distinguishes it from being just another ring on your hand. In much of North and South America, the ring finger is most commonly associated with wedding symbolism: a band on the right fourth finger indicates engagement, while a band on the left fourth finger indicates marriage. Because she wants to. The method of inscribing one’s name on the ring is from the times of Ramayana. An engagement ring is a ring indicating that the person wearing it is engaged to be married, especially in Western cultures. Which is it, then: left or right? After which, they can choose to leave the engagement ring on their right hand, or move it on top of the band. Black Gold Jewelry : Everything You Need To Know. The United States, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, Australia and Great Britain are among countries whose people prefer to wear engagement rings on the left ring finger. Fortunately, we’ve come a long way since ancient Rome! Ancient Egyptians believed circles were symbolic of eternity. But wait, I hear you ask. These rings may be worn again after marriage too, or substituted by wedding bands. Maybe she’s left handed, and she doesn’t like the way the ring feels on her dominant hand. Alas, the left ring finger became the delegated spot for engagement rings. This is classified as a ring of professional status. Right! In some countries, the engagement ring is worn on the fourth finger of the right hand. After the ceremony, the engagement ring gets paired with the wedding band on the left ring finger. Afterall, the most important factor regarding your engagement is the lifelong union you’re forming with the one you love. An engagement ring is traditionally worn on the ring finger of your left hand, which is right next to your little finger. Even so, while the myth has been debunked, the tradition continues. For same-sex couples, a ring on the right hand usually signifies that someone is in a monogamous relationship — whether that’s a long-term partnership or marriage. It acts as a signal to others that you’ve found the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. Although this was a beautiful and sentimental notion, today we know that such a vein does not exist. Another point to note is that there is an increase in the number of men wearing engagement rings in general. If you want to hold onto the traditional significance of an engagement ring, then stick with the fourth finger of either the left or right hand. Shouldn’t it be worn on the left hand together with the wedding ring? Ultimately, which hand you choose to wear your engagement ring on is entirely up to you. It has simply evolved over time and become widely accepted in those specific regions. As a rule of thumb, Catholics prefer to wear their engagement rings on the right hand as well. White Gold Vs. Silver: A Complete Guide To Help You Decide. Just like the left hand, people wear their engagement rings on the fourth finger, or ring finger, of the right hand. Ring Finger Meanings - What Finger Should You Wear Your Ring On? For men, there is no rule regarding the appropriate hand for the ring. Heavenly Halos: Double Halo Engagement Rings and What You Need To Know. An engagement ring and wedding band receive less wear than if worn on the dominant hand. Germany and Netherlands also wear their wedding ring on the right hands while keeping the engagement ring on their right hand. Whether you choose to wear your engagement ring on the right or left hand, what’s important is to have a ring that compliments your sacred union. Finally, wearing a wedding ring on the right hand can simply mean that the wearer is left-handed and doesn’t want his or her ring to be subjected to the wear and tear from their dominant hand. Wearing your wedding ring on your left ring finger stems from an old belief that it contained a vein that connected to the heart, an edict that England's King Edward VI made official during the 16th century. © 2018 JEWELRYSHOPPINGGUIDE.COM ALL RIGHT RESERVED |, ENGAGEMENT RINGS, WEDDING RINGS AND WEDDING BAND, WHAT JEWELRY TO WEAR WITH YOUR WEDDING DRESS, List of Good Luck Gemstones (A Handy Guide). Accordingly, couples handcrafted braided plants and reeds to exchange and wear as a symbol of love and marriage. Sometimes, it may be more practical for you to wear your ring on a certain hand as per your lifestyle. Wearing a ring on your middle finger is a very bold choice that gets you noticed and maybe it can even be a conversation starter. If the negative connotation of the word left is enough to manipulate a person’s left-hand orientation, it’s no surprise that engagement rings are worn on the right hand. Truth is, wearing an engagement ring on left ring finger is not a universal or international tradition. However, in nations around the world, wedding rings are worn on the right ring finger. However, non-english speaking countries including Italy, Mexico and Egypt also favor the left ring finger. In other cultures, such as Brazilian and Jewish cultures, the engagement ring is initially worn on the ring finger of the right hand and then transferred to the ring finger of the left hand after marriage. In fact, in many countries it’s tradition to wear the engagement ring on the right hand. During many western wedding ceremonies, the engagement ring initially worn on the left ring finger gets switched to the right ring finger to make space for the wedding band. In fact, roughly about 5% of men in the USA prefer to wear an engagement ring. As you’ll see, culture and religion largely determine the chosen finger for the engagement ring. Seems straightforward, right? The 1920s concept that a ring worn on the right hand says ‘me’ while the left hand represents ‘we’ still resonates with women today. However, where it is placed distinguishes it from being just another ring on your hand. While your wedding ring finger is traditionally on your right hand, some cultures wear wedding rings on their right index finger. Wait, it’s gotta be the left ring finger, right? How did the diamond work its way into the homes of common folk? It acts as a signal to others that you’ve found the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. The tradition of wearing fine jewelry to denote pending nuptials wasn’t made a standard until the last few hundred years. Women then move it to the right hand to make way for the wedding band. After the wedding ceremony, many women will place the ring on their left hand, as is the custom in the modern, Western world, but there are also plenty who will wear the wedding ring (and engagement ring) on the right hand on the ring finger. In Sweden and Chile, it is not just brides-to-be that receive engagement rings, men wear them too. While some may wear it as a sign of fortune, others might wear it as a sign of their commitment. A ring is an ornament that is worn on the fingers. All this goes to show that there are many rules and traditions on the right engagement ring finger depending on your region, culture and religion. Maybe she’s changed weight, and the ring fits better on the right hand. There s nothing as timeless and elegant as silver colored... Everything you need to know about Jewelry, What's new in the world of all things sparkly, Emerald .50ct Platinum Finish Solid Real (not indian that turns your finger, 18 K White Gold Engagement Diamond Ring Size 7 - H61 - R11575, 18 K White Gold Engagement Diamond Ring Size 7.5 - H62 - R11578 -1, RE SELLERS DEAL THREE RINGS SIZE 6.5 TR 800. Different cultures have different meanings associated with each finger. As you can see, the ways in which one can wear a wedding band is as diverse as wedding ring styles themselves! Many cultures don’t even place emphasis on which hand the engagement ring should be worn. Where did it all start? It is also the custom in some cultures to wear an engagement ring on the ring finger. Religion, spiritual or cultural values may influence one person to wear their engagement ring on the right hand, and another to favor the left hand. In India and Spain for example, the engagement and wedding rings are usually worn on the right hand. In the early aughts and prior to the legalization of same-sex marriage, we saw examples of lesbian and gay couples using a wide variety of options for their engagement and wedding rings. A ring is presented as an engagement gift by a partner to their prospective spouse when they propose marriage or directly after a marriage proposal is accepted. Whether you choose to wear your engagement ring on the right or left hand, what’s important is to have a ring that compliments your sacred union. The tradition of wearing a ring on this specific finger goes back to ancient Egyptian and Roman times. For a graduate of ecology, engineering, or any other esteemed discipline, a ring on the right pinky finger is a symbol of the degree acquired or professional prominence. Elizabeth Taylor wore a right-hand ring to make room for a bigger, better left-hand ring. In many cultures and countries, wearing an engagement ring on the right hand is preferred. 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