Which hand does a regular ring fit on? Where to wear a wedding ring
Wedding ring– on which hand are rings worn? different countries? What was it like before? Let's try to figure it out.
Ancient Egypt is considered the birthplace of rings, including wedding rings. At first, they served as a kind of seal, with the help of which the pharaoh transferred his power. Some time later, wearing rings ceased to be the prerogative of high-ranking officials. Rich people wore gold rings, while the poor could choose jewelry made of copper, bronze, silver or other various materials.
Since ancient times, rings were exchanged at a wedding by the bride and groom as a sign of their devotion to each other. The ring was presented to the bride's parents as a sign that future husband undertakes to support his wife, to support her in joy and sorrow. Does everyone know on which hand the wedding ring is worn?
History of tradition
The tradition of exchanging rings during a marriage ceremony has been known since ancient times. The first mention of this custom dates back to the era of the Old Kingdom, that is, 4 millennia BC. At that time, the presentation and acceptance of a wedding ring or bracelet (usually made of hemp or sedge) meant that the woman became the property of the man, and he was obliged to protect her.
Men began wearing wedding rings (bracelets) about 1,500 years later. And then it became a symbol of the unification of two halves into a single whole. During the times of Ancient Rome, rings began to be made of iron or bronze. Everyone knows gold ring appeared only in the III-IV centuries.
So, the ring, which is vicious circle, since ancient times has been a symbol of the infinity of feelings of two lovers and is magically designed to strengthen the earthly and heavenly connection between them. The noble metal from which the rings are made is a symbol of purity and purity. Initially, wedding rings were extremely simple and did not have any decorations.
Rituals in ancient and modern times
In ancient Rome, after the wedding ceremony, the groom gave a ring not only to the bride, but also to her parents, thereby confirming that he agreed to enter into a union. The ancient Jews had a custom of giving a gold coin to their beloved in order to emphasize the seriousness of their intentions, only a few centuries later the coin was replaced by a ring. In medieval Europe, wealthy aristocrats gave their wife a ring with the family's coat of arms, confirming that she was the full-fledged mistress of his house.
For a long time, the ring was given only to brides, while grooms could do without this accessory. Now there are two types of rings: engagement (or engagement) and wedding. In the West, there is still a tradition of giving an engagement ring before proposing, and then purchasing a wedding ring. There was also a custom according to which the groom’s ring was made of gold, and the wife’s from silver, to emphasize that the man was the head of the family, but now the rings of both newlyweds, as a rule, are the same, and they are not limited in the choice of metal.
How is it customary to wear wedding rings?
On the right hand
Wearing a wedding ring on the left hand is a relatively recent tradition, dating back to the early 18th century (before that, even in English-speaking countries, rings were worn on the right hand).
An 1869 article suggests that in some countries, changing the hand on which the ring is worn from the right (dominant, main hand) to the left (non-dominant) became a sign of deference with which a woman treated her spouse (men did not wear wedding bands at that time). rings).
In Orthodoxy, everything connected with right side body is considered correct. Accordingly, wedding rings in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Greece, Serbia are placed on the ring finger of the right hand. Widows and widowers wear their rings on the ring finger of the left hand (in Catholic and Protestant countries - on the ring finger of the right hand).
On the left hand
As a result of archaeological excavations, scientists were able to discover that the first wedding rings appeared in Ancient Egypt. Noble spouses wore gold and silver rings, while the poor wore copper and iron rings. It is known that long before our era, Egyptian healers had a good knowledge of human anatomy. They believed that there was a nerve that went from the heart to the ring finger of the left hand. Therefore, wedding rings began to be worn on this finger. True, in some parts of Egypt and Ancient Israel, wedding rings were worn on the middle finger of the left hand. This is exactly how, according to legend, Saint Joseph and the Virgin Mary became engaged.
During the Middle Ages, dissections were prohibited for doctors, as a result of which all knowledge about anatomy was drawn from ancient manuscripts. The nerve supposedly connecting the left arm and the heart was poetically called the “artery of love.” However, at that time, the way of wearing wedding jewelry completely depended on the decree of the ruler. Many kings, sovereign dukes and counts issued decrees on exactly how wedding rings should be worn.
There were exactly ten options: in some countries, rings were even put on the thumbs. Over time, a historical tradition has developed according to which in Catholic and Protestant countries, wedding rings are worn on the ring finger of the left hand. This is the case in England, France, Germany, Austria, USA, Canada, Spain, Mexico, Brazil, Australia. Catholic theologians explain this by saying that left hand is closer to the heart. Muslims also adhere to the custom of wearing the symbol of marital fidelity on the left hand.
However, in many Muslim countries only women wear such rings, since it is considered bad luck for men to wear gold jewelry. Therefore, Muslim men usually either do not wear wedding rings at all, or wear silver ones. Gypsies generally prefer to wear them around their necks, on gold chains.
When are rings changed to the other hand?
Wearing a ring on the ring finger of a certain hand is a kind of demonstration of one’s status. The presence of a ring can indicate not only marriage, but also that a person is just getting ready to get married or is single, as he is divorced or widowed. Knowledge of the traditions of other countries and nationalities will allow you not to make a mistake in interpretation and correctly determine the status of the person you are interested in.
For example, in the countries of the Middle East, when getting engaged, rings are put on the right hand, and at the time of marriage, the ring is changed to the left hand. If women's engagement rings usually differ from wedding rings in the presence of a stone, then for men it is most often the same ring.
Orthodox Christians begin to wear their rings on the left hand in the event of the loss of a spouse or divorce. At the time of the wedding ceremony, Jews put the ring on their right hand and then wear it on their left.
If spouses belong to different cultures and are followers of different religions, they come to a compromise solution, choosing one way of wearing rings, or follow their traditions separately.
Engagement rings
Engagement rings, also known as proposal rings, are usually worn in Russia on the ring finger of the right hand. The fact is that when a young man proposes marriage to his beloved woman, he puts the engagement ring on his right hand. Taking off a ring and putting it on another finger is considered bad omen, which can upset the wedding.
After marriage, a woman can wear a wedding and engagement ring on the ring finger of her right hand. Today it has become very fashionable to choose a diamond engagement ring and a wedding ring with diamonds or without stones in the same style. You can select rings similar to each other that make up a harmonious ensemble or figure, visually merging into one piece of jewelry in our catalog of engagement rings or order engagement rings according to your design.
Wedding rings
Wedding rings are worn only by people who have undergone an Orthodox wedding ceremony. Since Orthodox Christians make the sign of the cross with their right hand, it is customary to wear wedding rings on the ring finger of the same hand. In this case, the engagement and wedding rings are removed from the ring finger and are no longer worn, because people who have undergone a wedding ceremony after registering a marriage are considered married by the Lord God himself. Such a marriage is considered made in heaven. Accordingly, the wedding ring is considered the most important and important.
- Newlyweds must only have their own wedding rings; they are strictly forbidden to take someone else’s rings or use them.
- The loss of engagement jewelry after the wedding is considered a bad sign - this entails separation and discord between the spouses.
- It is forbidden to give a ring to a stranger - this way you can give him your happiness.
- There is a taboo against marrying a widow or widower with a ring - this is a very bad sign.
- You cannot wear a wedding symbol over a glove - only on your finger. And it is not recommended to remove it under any circumstances.
- If a widowed person remarries, the new wedding jewelry should also be put on the right ring finger, and the widow’s ring should be removed and hidden. It cannot be given as a gift - it is someone else's decoration.
- But the wedding paraphernalia of happy marriages can be passed on to your children by inheritance - this should be kept as family heirloom. In this case, the symbol of marriage acquires powerful protective properties. They can only be given if the parents celebrated their silver wedding anniversary.
Putting on a wedding ring is an individual matter; you can adhere to the traditions of your native country or be original, like Muslims. The most important thing is not to lose the meaning that is embedded in this beautiful symbol of marriage, a romantic sign of the union of two destinies.
There are a lot of superstitions associated with wedding rings. And when it comes to the wedding rings of widowers, people immediately begin to come up with the idea that “gold absorbs the energy of the deceased,” “calls to the next world,” and “wearing a wedding ring if your spouse has died means dooming yourself to misfortune and loneliness.” All this is nonsense, and often wedding rings remain the only reminder of your loved one.
As for atheists, everything is simple: in the registry office, a husband and wife put rings on each other’s ring finger of their right hand - this custom comes from Orthodoxy. If someone loses a spouse, then the choice remains with the widow or widower. Some leave the ring on their right hand, others move it to their left hand, and still others wear not only their ring but also their spouse’s ring on their left hand, or hang their spouse’s ring around their neck on a chain. But for believers, things are not so simple.
Jews
The custom of wearing a wedding ring on the left hand is associated with an ancient belief that came from Egypt that a certain artery, the “nerve of love”, runs on the ring finger of the left hand; exactly the same belief was widespread among the ancient Jews. This custom is indicated in the book “Tikunei Zohar” by the Jewish priest Shimon bar Yochai, who lived at the dawn of our era.
In Judaism, during the wedding ceremony - chuppah, the groom puts a ring on the bride's index finger of his left hand, so he, as it were, sanctifies the woman with this object and dedicates her to himself. Only a woman wears a ring; when she looks at it, she must remember that she is now and forever married. A woman wears a ring on her index finger on her wedding day, and then puts it on her ring finger; Moreover, she chooses her hand depending on the traditions in which she was brought up.
If the spouse dies, the widow removes the ring from her finger and keeps it with herself or can donate it to charity, which must be given to a certain number of days.
Muslims
According to the Koran, a Muslim man has no right to wear gold, it defiles the flesh, but he can wear a thin silver ring, the weight of which should not exceed 4.375 grams. There is a ban on wearing rings on the index and middle fingers; these prohibitions do not apply to women.
In Islam there is no custom of exchanging rings; moreover, there is a ban on imitation of other religions. The Islamic hadith scholar Abu Dawud said: “Whoever imitates any people is one of them.”
However, in Islam it is permissible to give rings to a wife for a wedding, but only as a wedding gift, and a woman can wear them the way she wants. A man can wear a silver ring as a sign to others that he is married, but there is no spiritual meaning attached to this jewelry.
If a Muslim woman remains a widow, then according to the Koran she is ordered to maintain a certain period of mourning - Iddah, after which she is considered free. There are no guidelines regarding rings, except that all gifts belong to the woman. There are no special regulations for widowers at all.
Buddhists
There is also no place for rings in the Buddhist ritual - during the ritual, five Buddhist monks read mantras around the bride and groom and fumigate the couple with incense. But according to Buddhist ideas about life energy human body, the ring finger is responsible for the husband or wife, which means that a married person can wear a ring with ritual inscriptions on it, that is, a husband and wife can exchange memorial rings.
But more often they do this according to secular laws in the registry office. The decision to wear or not wear a ring after the death of a spouse remains with the widowed person. However, various beliefs, of which Buddhists have many, often interfere with his decision. For example, by continuing to wear a ring, a person connects himself with the deceased.
Orthodox
In Orthodoxy, as well as in some countries where Catholicism is widespread (for example, in Belarus, Germany, Spain, Austria, Denmark, Hungary and the Netherlands), a wedding ring during a wedding is put on the ring finger of the right hand, because according to teaching, it is behind the right standing on the shoulder is the Guardian Angel, who is given to a person at baptism and who will protect him and his marriage.
In case of widowhood, an Orthodox Christian puts a ring on his left hand as a sign of grief and fidelity to his deceased spouse. There is another custom: you can take the wedding ring (yours and the deceased’s) to some miraculous image and leave it there as a gift, or melt it down, sell it, and donate the money to charity, asking them to pray for the deceased. You can also store the ring near the icons in the “red corner”.
Catholics and Protestants
In Catholicism, the wedding ring is worn on the left hand, and in the case of widowhood - on the right. This is due to the belief that the left hand is closer to the heart. However, this was not always the case - in the Middle Ages in different countries there were different decrees regarding which finger the ring should be put on, and it was on all fingers of the right and left hands.
For Protestants, the wedding itself is similar to the Catholic one, and the hand on which the ring is placed depends on the country. Protestants and Catholics do not give any special instructions regarding rings for widowed spouses, although according to European etiquette, a widow should not wear a wedding ring at all; it should be removed and kept at home.
Wedding ring – on which hand are rings worn in different countries? What was it like before? Let's try to figure it out.
Ancient Egypt is considered the birthplace of rings, including wedding rings. At first, they served as a kind of seal, with the help of which the pharaoh transferred his power. Some time later, wearing rings ceased to be the prerogative of high-ranking officials. Rich people wore gold rings, while the poor could choose jewelry made of copper, bronze, silver or other various materials.
Since ancient times, rings were exchanged at a wedding by the bride and groom as a sign of their devotion to each other. The ring was presented to the bride's parents as a sign that the future husband undertakes to support his wife, to support her in joy and sorrow. Does everyone know on which hand the wedding ring is worn?
In Russia?
In Russia women and men putting on a wedding ring on the right hand on the ring finger. However, in other countries things are different. It is known that a wedding ring can be worn not only on the right hand and not only on the ring finger. For example, Jewish women prefer to wear a similar accessory on their index finger, and gypsies are accustomed to wearing a ring around their neck, hanging it on a thin chain.
In other countries?
It is worth saying that wedding rings are worn on the right hand in Venezuela, Israel, Austria, Norway, Georgia, Poland, Greece, Germany and India. Residents of Turkey, Japan, Sweden, France, Canada, Cuba, Mexico and America wear rings on their left hands. Such traditions are rooted in deep history. Some people believe that the wedding ring should be on the left hand because it is closer to the heart.
Thus, a person expresses all his warm feelings, all his love to his soul mate, with whom fate brought him together. On the other hand, the right hand has always been considered “correct”, wise, and therefore its decisions are more correct.
You can also ask: what hand is the wedding ring worn by widowers and divorced people? The answer is simple: widowers should wear the ring on the opposite hand than during marriage, while divorced people, as a rule, take it off altogether.
Many people also think about what an engagement ring should be like: simple, carved, with stones. However, only those getting married can answer this question, because such a decision depends only on their tastes and preferences. Recently, rings with engravings that will reflect all the feelings of two people entering into a relationship have become most widespread. new life hand in hand.
According to tradition, on their wedding day, the newlyweds exchange wedding rings, which are a symbol of endless love, fidelity and constancy. Since they act as a link between two loving hearts, it is better to wear them constantly and take them off only in rare cases. When choosing rings on the eve of the wedding, many people wonder: on which hand and finger it should be put on. Let's try to understand this, in fact, simple issue.
Historical aspect
It is difficult to say how old the engagement ring is and when exactly it appeared. According to one legend, the ancient Egyptians were the first to exchange them during marriages, and initially only their most influential and wealthy representatives. They took a small strip of gold and gave it a round shape, which was a symbol of love and fidelity. Well, they put on such a decoration, and subsequently wore it, on the left hand and specifically on the ring finger.
The Egyptians believed that it was the connecting link between the heart and veins, which symbolized love. Subsequently, they began to wear wedding rings and ordinary people, only they made them from more inexpensive materials - copper, bronze, silver.
In many historical sources, it is the ring finger that appears, and not only the Egyptians, but also many residents of European and eastern countries put a wedding ring on it. It is interesting that during the Middle Ages there was special attention to such wedding jewelry: numerous European rulers issued their own decrees, which clearly stated which finger was allowed to wear a wedding ring. So, at the end of the 17th century in England it was allowed to be worn on thumb any hand, while German knights - only on the little finger.
How to wear it in Russia
Wearing a wedding ring these days is determined by religion. Again, this has developed historically, depending on the religion that a person adhered to. As a result, it turned out that residents of European countries where Catholicism is dominant wear a ring on the ring finger of their left hand.
In Russia, the majority of residents profess Orthodoxy, so it is customary to put jewelry on the ring finger during a wedding, but only on the right hand. Catholics cross themselves with their left hand, believing that it is closer to the heart, so the newlyweds thus receive a blessing for eternal marriage. The Orthodox are of the opinion that right is a synonym for correct, reliable, true.
Thus, in Russia it is customary to wear a wedding ring on the right hand on the ring finger. Actually, this tradition is followed by everyone who decides to unite their lives by marriage. True, the ring can subsequently be worn on the left hand: in cases where the spouses divorced or one of them became a widower.
Wedding rings are a symbol of marriage and marital fidelity.
Therefore, many people give them a mystical meaning. U different nations Various traditions are associated with them.
Today, the custom of wearing wedding rings exists in almost all countries.
However, different peoples have significantly different ways of wearing and wedding signs associated with them.
Even scientists have not come to a consensus about when the first rings appeared and the reasons for their occurrence.
What does the ring symbolize?
According to one version, in ancient times, when the presence of any rings: gold, silver, iron, testified to the well-being of their owner.
The future husband brought them as a gift to his bride's parents as a sign that he was able to support his wife and she would not need anything.
According to another theory, in ancient times the ring symbolized infinity, so putting this on symbolic decoration, the newlyweds took a vow of boundless and immortal love.
The third version says that the rings are links in the chain that connected husband and wife. The spouses wore them as a sign of the inviolability of the bonds by which they were bound.
How is it customary to wear wedding rings?
On the left hand
As a result of archaeological excavations, scientists were able to discover that the first wedding rings appeared in Ancient Egypt.
Noble spouses wore gold and silver rings, while the poor wore copper and iron rings.
It is known that long before our era, Egyptian healers had a good knowledge of human anatomy. They believed that there was a nerve that went from the heart to the ring finger of the left hand. Therefore, wedding rings began to be worn on this finger.
True, in some parts of Egypt and Ancient Israel, wedding rings were worn on the middle finger of the left hand. This is exactly how, according to legend, Saint Joseph and the Virgin Mary became engaged.
During the Middle Ages, dissections were prohibited for doctors, as a result of which all knowledge about anatomy was drawn from ancient manuscripts. The nerve supposedly connecting the left arm and the heart was poetically called the “artery of love.”
However, at that time, the way of wearing wedding jewelry completely depended on the decree of the ruler. Many kings, sovereign dukes and counts issued decrees on exactly how wedding rings should be worn. There were exactly ten options: in some countries, rings were even put on the thumbs.
Over time, a historical tradition has developed, according to which in Catholic and Protestant countries, wedding rings are worn on the ring finger of the left hand. This is the case in England, France, Germany, Austria, USA, Canada, Spain, Mexico, Brazil, Australia. Catholic theologians explain this by saying that the left hand is closer to the heart.
Muslims also adhere to the custom of wearing the symbol of marital fidelity on the left hand.
However, in many Muslim countries only women wear such rings, since it is considered bad luck for men to wear gold jewelry. Therefore, Muslim men usually either do not wear wedding rings at all, or wear silver ones.
Gypsies generally prefer to wear them around their necks, on gold chains.
On the right hand
In Orthodoxy, everything connected to the right side of the body is considered correct.
Accordingly, wedding rings in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Greece, Serbia are worn on ring finger of the right hand.
Widows and widowers wear their rings on the ring finger of the left hand (in Catholic and Protestant countries - on the ring finger of the right hand).
Signs
This is how man is designed that even in accidents he sometimes looks for secret signs of fate. And it would be strange if many objects and superstitions were not associated with wedding rings - a symbol of marital ties.
It is believed that Under no circumstances should you give your wedding ring to anyone to try on or wear..
If such a request is made by a completely persistent person who you don’t want to offend, then you can put the ring on the table so as not to pass it from hand to hand.
The ring should be returned in the same manner - across the table, or even better - before putting it on, hold it for a while under running water or in a salt solution.
It is considered a lucky omen if the newlyweds get engaged with the same rings as their grandparents, who lived in peace and harmony for many years, and are still alive at the time of their grandchildren’s wedding. Using rings from divorced or deceased people is bad luck.
In many northern countries, there was a custom before the wedding to freeze both rings in a small amount of water: by thawing, they supposedly remember that they were once one and will always be drawn to each other.