For a long time young people exchange wedding rings during the wedding ceremony. At a wedding, jewelry is usually placed on a specific hand and finger. It is believed that this helps to show the desire for harmonized relationships and happiness. However, in different countries, wedding rings are worn on different hands and fingers, due to the peculiarities of religious faith.

Why are wedding rings worn on the ring finger of the right hand?

The people of Ancient Rome were the first to wear a wedding ring in this manner. They were sure: in the ring finger there is a vein that connects heart and finger. Vienna was named after love. If a person put jewelry on this finger, one could immediately understand: he was busy and married. It is for this reason that the wedding ring should be on the ring finger.

Wedding ring

There is another legend that allows us to better understand the existing tradition. In this case, the legend arose thanks to the ancient Hellenes. They noted that the ring is worn on the ring finger to confirm the busyness of a person’s heart and tie it all together. If a person decorated the index finger, he was in an active search, the little finger - unpreparedness for a marital relationship.

The ancient Hellenes also believed: the presence of a ring on the middle finger confirms amazing victories on the love front.

The Christians acted wisely, because they tied the legal wearing of the ring to the ring finger of the left hand and church ritual. Since the 9th century, symbolic religious engraving of inscriptions on jewelry was allowed, but this tradition was observed only by Catholics.

It is believed that with the choice of hands everything is much simpler. The ancient Romans believed: right hand will be happier than the left one. For this reason, the wedding ring is placed on the right hand. This tradition is followed by residents of most countries of the world, including Russia, Poland, Norway, Denmark, Spain, and Portugal. Now it becomes clear on which hand wedding rings are worn in Russia and why the corresponding tradition arose.

Photo of a wedding ring on the finger of a Russian woman

Who wears wedding rings on their left hand?

The tradition of wearing a ring on left hand originated relatively recently, at the beginning of the 18th century. It is believed that women recognized the authority of their spouses, who did not receive special decorations in the past. This opinion was due to the fact that the left hand is non-dominant. For this reason, wearing a wedding ring on the ring finger of the left hand means recognizing the authority of the spouse. This practice is common in English-speaking and Muslim countries, as well as in Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, the Czech Republic, and Romania.

Muslims in the 21st century wear wedding rings only on the left hand. There is a large number in the world Catholics and Muslims, which is important to remember. Many Europeans belong to the Catholic and Muslim religions. It is not surprising that in Turkey they also put a ring on the ring finger of the left hand.

In Russia, divorced women and men, widows and widowers wear wedding rings on their left hands

By doing this they show memory and respect for their departed or deceased spouse. People around them often understand such actions, but psychologists have a negative attitude towards such an act, since the decoration reminds a person of the past stage of life and interferes with the search for new happiness. It is advisable to discard the ring, although the memories will remain. Without an accessory, your chances of finding personal happiness will increase.

Wedding ring on a man

Married men and women wear a wedding ring only on ring finger left hand.

Is it possible for an unmarried girl to wear a ring on the ring finger of her right hand?

Girls often choose jewelry and are interested in symbolism. Sometimes the question arises whether it is right for a girl to wear a wedding ring or whether it is advisable to refuse such an act. In most cases, it is inappropriate to decorate a finger taking into account existing traditions, because such an act reduces chances of dating with potential chosen ones.

Palmists and astrologers note: each finger has a special symbolism

Each finger of the hand is under the protection of one planet or another, and therefore affects the character and habits of people. Jewelry is often worn on a specific finger and is activate the desired area, but jewelry should be simple in design and different from engagement jewelry.

Wedding ring

Many peoples believe in I will accept: a free girl should not put a ring on her ring finger, as this will lead to failure in personal relationships and celibacy. In fact, there is some truth in this, because dating will happen less often due to the fact that the other person will think about the lack of opportunities for developing the relationship.

On the other hand, the ring finger is under the beneficial influence of the Sun

Wearing a ring on this finger can promote personal self-expression, finding a partner, and gaining fame and fortune. It is believed that in order to get married, you need to wear a ring on your ring finger, but it is advisable to choose gold jewelry. It is not advisable to choose silver jewelry, as it has an energetically calming effect and makes it difficult to find a soul mate.

Hidden Jewelry cannot be given for fitting. If a girl chooses a ring that should attract her chosen one, it is forbidden to give the jewelry to other people to try on.

Wedding rings for lovers

Also, a married woman should wear a wedding ring and not give it to others. Otherwise, your personal life will be wide open, so your chances of personal happiness will decrease.

The meaning of a wedding ring on different fingers

Wedding rings are allowed to be worn on different fingers, despite existing traditions.

Thumb

Symbolizes willpower, reflects the inner essence of a person. If you plan to wear a ring on your thumb, you need to be especially careful and attentive, as serious changes will occur in the near future. Decoration will also contribute to the development of will and determination. Thumb rings are often surprising, although the phenomenon remains common throughout the world. In medieval Europe, rings were often placed on the thumb and spouses could wear symbolic jewelry on different fingers to attract the necessary energy.

Forefinger

The index finger is a symbol of power and leadership ambitions. Decoration activates the corresponding energy. Kings could develop leadership qualities by placing a ring on a specific hand. Nowadays, only a few people do this, but sometimes people can see a symbolic decoration on their index finger.

Middle finger

The middle finger reflects a person's personality. The decoration placed in the center of the hand is a symbol of a balanced life and attracts the energy of harmony. Russians often wear it on the middle finger of their left hand, because they are Orthodox and honor religious canons. A wedding ring on the middle finger of the right hand means that the person has become divorced or widowed, and may also belong to the Muslim or Catholic religion.

Gold ring, Pushkin Jewelry Factory(price on the link)

Ring finger

The ring finger has a direct connection with the heart, which is why jewelry is most often worn on it. It is believed that this promotes positive energy in marital relationships, strengthens joint affection, helps to get closer and gives optimism. Silver jewelry is a good option, as it has the right energy. Rings are also often made of gold. To decorate jewelry, it is advisable to choose precious stones such as moonstone, jade, turquoise or amethyst.

Little finger

Pinky rings are often worn. It is believed that in this case a person wants to report something, to give a signal to the outside world. The fact is that little finger with an engagement ring is sure to attract the most attention, and it is not associated with religious or cultural traditions. The reason for wearing a wedding ring on the little finger may be the desire to strengthen a marriage through business or joint creative activity, or to show public attention to personal relationships. It is advisable to choose jewelry with moonstone, amber or citrine.

You can also find out additional facts from the video: why wedding rings are worn on the ring finger:

Married women and married men wear wedding bands not only in accordance with traditions and beliefs, but also as a sign of respect and closeness to each other.

Whatever one may say, the most striking symbol of marriage, as well as pure and immaculate marital fidelity, is considered to be precisely such jewelry, familiar to each of us, as wedding rings. As it was sung in a well-known song from Soviet times, a wedding ring is not just a decoration for the hand, but something more, a seal of vow, a reminder of the one-time vow to love and support a partner until death separates the couple forever. Today, almost all peoples on the planet wear similar jewelry, but it would not hurt to understand which hands wedding rings are placed on in various parts of the world in more detail, so as not to one day get into an awkward situation.

Symbolism and a little history: which hand is the wedding ring put on?

It must be said that the custom of putting on wedding rings for lovers who have entered into or are about to get married has come to us from time immemorial. Scientists believed that even in Ancient Egypt there was a similar custom. Among the Egyptians, the ring signified infinity, the connection of two hearts throughout life, as well as in the afterlife. Moreover, more noble citizens chose rings from precious metals, and ordinary townspeople from iron, copper, and sometimes even lead, which was harmful to health. Moreover, at that time it was completely unimportant on which hand the wedding ring was put on the bride or groom, the main thing was that it was there and also testified that the person’s heart was already occupied.

Worth remembering

In a number of Muslim countries where a religion such as Islam is preached, wearing gold jewelry by a man has been considered a very bad omen since ancient times. Therefore, most often, wedding rings are worn exclusively by women. If a man wants to have such jewelry, which symbolizes his love and devotion to his wife, then he can choose a ring made of silver, as well as other metals or stones.

Thus, on which hand women, as well as men from Ancient Egypt, wore a wedding ring is not completely clear, we only know that it was definitely the ring finger, but we will have to talk about this in another article. It must be said that our ancient ancestors also made rings, for example, from wood, ceramics, stones, both precious and semi-precious, and so on. The second question is which hand the wedding ring is put on now, when so many years have passed since their invention, and what reasons this may be due to, which will give more understanding of the issue.

It is remarkable that Western Europe has gone the furthest in the question of which hand men, as well as women, wear a wedding ring on. During ancient history, as well as the Middle Ages, thousands of orders, regulations and decrees were issued by the most influential people of various countries, who established the rules for wearing wedding rings. In fact, all this was quite complicated and lovers sometimes had a hard time, especially if the descendants of noble families, equal in titles, but with different regulations, decided to become related.

The paradox of the Virgin Mary or the strange tricks of Raphael: on which hand is the wedding ring worn?

The priests of ancient times argued most vehemently about which hand girls wear a wedding ring on; now these customs are simply symbolic. At that time, in dark and troubled times, one could pay for a wrong decision not even with titles or money, but with one’s own life. Interestingly, the first loud controversy arose over a painting by the great artist of his time, Raphael, called “The Betrothal of the Virgin Mary.” In the picture, tenderly and lovingly painted by the master, Joseph puts a ring on his right hand for his beloved.

So why then do Catholics not follow the traditions of wearing a wedding ring on the right hand in a picture and on the left in reality? This remains a mystery, and such evidence is not the only one, since there are also similar paintings from approximately the same time.

So why is the wedding ring worn on the left hand in modern Catholic countries? Now Catholicism believes that the left hand is more suitable for wearing a ring, since it is in close proximity to a person’s heart. It's possible that this makes sense. Perhaps Raphael, due to the absent-mindedness that many creative personalities suffer from, simply painted a mirror image of reality? It may very well be so.

According to national or territorial reference: on which hand is the wedding ring in Russia and not only

Every man, wanting to claim his rights to a woman, will definitely give her an engagement ring, but on what hand do we wear such jewelry in Russia? Much here depends on the predominant religion of our region, but not only. Most often, in our country, wedding rings are put on the right hand, as in the very picture that we have already discussed a little.

• Skeptics believe, and such a theory has a right to life, that wearing rings on the right hand is due to the fact that most people on planet Earth, whatever one may say, are right-handed. That is, throughout our lives we use our right hand more often, and therefore the ring on it will be more noticeable, it will tell others a lot of information about the person, and it will signal that he is busy. For greater clarity, it is worth taking a close look at the photos of wedding rings on your hands, this will make it easier to choose models, of which there are simply a colossal number on the market today.
• Among other things, when we say hello somewhere on the street to our loved ones, relatives, friends, as well as complete strangers, we extend to them our right hand, on which the treasured ring should be. Moreover, a ring placed on this particular hand will emphasize the person’s family status, which, in principle, is what was required.
• Among other things, we should not forget that almost throughout the entire territory of our country Orthodoxy is widespread, which prescribes the wearing of wedding rings on the right hand; this fact should not be discounted.
• It is believed that it is behind the right shoulder of each of us that the same guard assigned to us by God stands - the Guardian Angel, therefore the wedding ring should be put on the right hand.

Among other things, rings are also worn on the right hand in other countries, for example, in Israel, Poland, Venezuela, Norway, India, Greece and more. It is simply impossible to name all such countries, as the list would be many kilometers long.

More than half the world: who wears a wedding ring on their left hand

As we have already said, almost all people who adhere to the Catholic faith, as well as a value system, wear wedding rings on their left hand. However, this is all unsteady and unreliable, and it happens in different ways, but by and large, even Orthodox Christians can wear wedding rings on their left hand, in special living conditions.

Interesting

An extremely interesting question is which hand Armenians, who mostly adhere to the Orthodox faith, wear a wedding ring on. Despite everything, Armenians put their wedding rings on the fingers of their loved ones on the left hand, believing that it is there that the well-known “vein of love” passes, which connects the finger directly to the heart.

It must also be said that it is on the left hand that you can see wedding rings in Sweden and Turkey, in Japan, France and Canada, as well as in Mexico and the United States. However, this is not all, because wearing wedding rings on a certain hand, and also on a certain finger, is determined by cultural traditions, religion, and similar external factors that influenced the formation of such a tradition.

It is also very interesting on which hand Muslim men wear their wedding ring, for whom the Koran strictly prohibits the wearing of gold jewelry. Moreover, the attitude of priests towards rings is generally special here. The fact is that the tradition of wearing wedding rings in general, which came from Egypt and Rome, is inherently alien to the Muslim world, by definition. These people are always faithful to traditions, so borrowing is unacceptable here. However, if you do not perceive the ring as a symbol of devotion or fidelity to God, then all girls and women can wear them as simple jewelry. Men can also afford to get a wedding ring, but it should never be gold.

Does it matter which finger you wear the ring on? There are many traditions in wearing jewelry. Knowing the symbolism of wearing rings can “make a statement” or learn something about its owner. There is no strict set of rules on which finger and on which hand to wear a ring, and anyone can wear rings as they please, with the exception of wedding rings. But there are nuances here. For example, most residents of South and North America, including the United States, and most European countries wear a wedding ring on the ring finger of the left hand, and in accordance with the Orthodox tradition, they are worn on the ring finger of the right hand. However, men often do not wear them on any finger at all. However, a trained eye can easily see even the trace of the ring if the interest arises not only theoretically. As a rule, the right hand will tell more about the physical side of a person - it is more active, dominant, more “gesticulating”. The left is usually seen as a reflection of the psychological side of a person’s personality - it says more about character and beliefs. What does the symbolism of the rings tell us? Let's walk through the fingers.

Detail of an Elizabethan portrait of a woman. Unknown British artist, 1600

1. THUMB symbolizes willpower and reflects the inner essence of a person. If you start wearing a ring on your thumb, be careful, changes will soon begin in your life. Also, wearing a ring on the thumb helps develop willpower.

Abraham del Court and Maria de Kaarsgieter, artist Bartholomeus van der Helst

Portrait of a Married Couple in a Park by Gonzalez Cox

Portrait of Archduchess Johanna with a portrait of Charles V, artist Sofonisba Anguissola

Portrait of a man in profile. Artist Quentin Masseys

Indian miniature of Shah Jahan wearing an archery ring on his right thumb

Thumb rings often raise eyebrows, but in fact, this phenomenon is quite common in the world. In most cases, a ring on the thumb is perceived as a symbol of wealth and influence, and rings in this case are often worn wide and large. In the past, it was not uncommon for a wedding ring to be placed on the thumb. This tradition existed, in particular, during the time of George I in England; in medieval Europe, wedding rings were generally worn on different fingers. This is also a common choice for people who want to wear multiple rings on one hand, but with some distance between the rings. A wedding ring, pinky ring, and middle finger ring together can feel overwhelming and may not always be comfortable to wear. The ring on the thumb “unloads” the composition.

The thumbs up is a gesture of friendliness, so don't wear a ring on it that will irritate other people. There is nothing worse than an expensive and tacky thumb ring. It's best when it's bold but simple. And although many authors believe that the thumb does not have astrological associations and does not have a patron among the ancient Greek gods, like all other fingers, it is often associated with the warlike Mars. It was believed that the thumb reflects character - strong, straight fingers are characteristic of authoritative individuals, and crooked ones were perceived as a sign of sinfulness. Astrology associates the thumb with carnelian, garnet and ruby.

There is another important point - since ancient times, men have worn an archery ring on their thumb; initially, such rings were made of leather. Therefore, in ancient times, having a ring on the thumb was associated with courage and the ability to wield weapons. Perhaps for this reason, wearing a rather large and wide ring on this finger remains to this day a male prerogative and a symbol of masculinity.

Left thumb will not make a statement about your status, profession, or other important part of your life. But it's a great "statement" finger - choose a wide ring that won't get in the way on your hand and people will know you're fashionable and confident.

Right thumb also doesn't speak to anything in particular - it's a great way to show off a favorite ring or use it to make a "statement". I've heard, for example, that queer minorities make similar statements using thumb rings.

2. FOREFINGER represents power, leadership and ambition. Wearing a ring on this finger is believed to activate this kind of energy. This was especially noticeable in those distant times, when famous and powerful kings wore a ring on their index finger. Wear a ring on this finger if you want to develop leadership qualities and get a push for development in this direction.

Coronation portrait of Elizabeth I by unknown artist, 1600. National Portrait Gallery

Henry VIII, artist Joos van Cleve

And this is a still from the movie "Sherlock Holmes" by Guy Ritchie. In the film, the bull ring is worn by Chief Justice Sir Thomas Rotheram and it indicates membership in the fictional Temple of the Four Orders. I don’t know whether the filmmakers thought about historical symbolism (and they touched on the symbolism of secret English organizations), but it is dressed logically, and also emphasizes belonging to power. Sherlock Holmes, with his eyes closed, was taken to this house and accurately names its location - north-west of St. James's Park. It is between Buckingham Palace and Green Park. There is quite a lot of information to use the hero's deductive method, at least for the era of Conan Doyle. I won’t go deeper - my point is that the historical symbolism of the rings is relevant to this day.

Portrait of a girl, painted in the 1840s in Russia. Presumably the portrait was commissioned in honor of an engagement - the ring on the index finger means that the young lady is engaged. Roses (white and black) symbolize purity and love. Exhibition "Unknown Artist" at the Russian Museum in 2012. Photo found here lenarudenko

The Jewish Bride of Rembrandt

Instinctively, we use the index finger more often than others in gestures (not counting the thumb). But it turns out that the ring on this finger bothers us less than the one on the middle finger next to it. In history, wearing rings (usually signets or signet rings) on the index finger was the most common, except when in some regions of Europe it was prohibited for persons below a certain status. Therefore, rings were often put on this finger (especially by men), symbolizing belonging to some kind of fraternity, membership in an organization, etc. The ring on the index finger does not stand out as sharply as on the middle finger or little finger, but thanks to gestures, it is quite noticeable. Astrological association - Jupiter, which symbolizes strength, leadership, authority and spirituality. Jupiter's metal is tin, but silver is a normal choice for a ring. Astrological stones of the index fingers - lapis lazuli, amethyst, blue topaz.

Left index finger does not have one hundred percent clear symbolism, although it is a good finger for demonstrating important rings. To make sure your ring is noticed, you can put your especially valuable or cocktail ring etc.

Right index finger - place for a wedding ring during a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony. Typically, a simple gold ring is used for this purpose. Often brides after the ceremony move the ring to their familiar ring finger, but some continue to wear it on the index finger. So take a closer look before you hit on the girl you like. Previously, in Rus' there was also a custom of wearing a wedding ring on the index finger.

3. MIDDLE FINGER- this is the individuality of a person. Placed in the center of the hand, the ring symbolizes a balanced life. And wearing a ring on the middle finger helps make life more harmonious.

Melancholy (La Fumeuse), Artist Georges de Fur, symbolist and one of the founders of Parisian modernism, the painting depicts Juliena Raskin, later the artist’s wife.

Portrait of Louise Marie of Orleans, Queen of Belgium, wife of the Belgian King Leopold I. Artist Franz Xaver Winterhalter

If you do not take into account the well-known gesture, then the middle finger is the largest, strongest and bravest finger. Rings on it are worn surprisingly rarely, partly, apparently, because it is located next to the index finger and 2 rings next to each other become an obstacle for various small actions. To prevent the ring from interfering, it is better to wear simple and small rings on the middle finger. However, wearing a ring on your middle finger is very comfortable, especially when you put a ring on it for the first time. In addition, unlike the ring finger, or, for example, the little finger, the symbolism of this finger is the safest; it does not create any secret meaning or confusion. Due to its central location, the middle finger symbolizes balance. It is associated with Saturn, the metal of Saturn is lead, simple gray metals work well for this finger. Saturn stands for balance, justice, law, responsibility and self-reflection. His stones are calming ones, such as rose quartz, coral, aquamarine.

Left middle finger. If the ring is worn on this finger, it may not mean anything. But since it occupies a central place on the hand and is the longest finger, a ring on it can symbolize power and responsibility. This finger is a good choice if you want to show off the ring without making any statements related to your life.

Right middle finger, just as the left has no specific meaning and is open to interpretation. You can choose your own symbol and meaning for the ring.

4. RING FINGER the left hand has a direct connection with the heart. For this reason, a wedding ring is worn on this finger in most countries of the world. Wearing a ring on this finger will add positive emotions and affection to your life, and will also increase creativity and taste for creativity. Wearing a ring on the ring finger of your right hand will make you more optimistic.

Princess Albert of Broglie , artist Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres

Portrait of Isabella de Valois, French princess and Spanish queen. Daughter of King Henry II of France and Catherine de Medici, wife of Philip II. Artist Juan Pantoja de la Cruz. Prado Museum

In most countries of the world ring finger most often associated with an engagement ring - in the USA, a ring on the right hand indicates engagement, and on the left symbolizes marriage. Most people choose a simple gold or silver ring, particularly because the ring is worn all the time and is more convenient. But that doesn't mean people don't wear rings with large stones or obviously artistic and decorative rings on their ring fingers. Most likely, in this case they simply will not be perceived as rings associated with marriage. At the same time, the rings are of a fairly simple shape; if they are made of different metals or have inscriptions, they will most likely be.

Symbolically, the ring finger is associated with the moon, beauty and creativity, and also, obviously, with romantic relationships. The Moon's metal is silver, so it is a natural choice for rings worn on the ring finger, unless it is a wedding ring. Wedding rings are traditionally often made of gold. The finger is associated with Apollo. Precious stones - moonstone, jade, amethyst, turquoise.

Left ring finger. In most cases, this finger is worn wedding ring. Many believe that this custom comes from the belief of the ancient Egyptians, and then the Romans, that blood through the veins from this finger goes straight to the heart (according to Apion, this is a nerve). But the ring on this finger may mean that its owner is just about to get married (engagement ring). A promise ring can be worn on the same finger (romantic promise), despite the fact that the finger is assigned the status of an official proposal. Many young people prefer to wear a purity ring on this finger. (chastity ring). A wedding ring on the ring finger of the left hand is worn in France, Italy, Great Britain, Ireland, Slovenia, Croatia, Sweden, Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. And also in Japan, Korea, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Canada, USA, Cuba and other countries. According to tradition, the wedding ring in Russia is moved to the left ring finger after a divorce, and widows and widowers wear two wedding rings (one’s own and the other’s).

Right ring finger. Although in many countries the wedding ring is worn on the left ring finger, there are countries where the right ring finger is used for the same purpose. This applies to the Orthodox tradition and the countries of Central-Eastern Europe - Russia, Belarus, Serbia, Poland, Moldova, Ukraine. Also, a wedding ring is worn on the right hand in Germany, Spain, Austria, Greece, Norway, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Chile and a number of other countries. However, with wedding rings everything is especially ambiguous. There is such a joke - “Sofochka, why are you wearing the ring on the wrong hand?” - “Because I married the wrong man!” So, if you set out to find out whether the girl you like is married, you need to take into account many factors.

5. LITTLE FINGER combines all relationships and connections with the outside world, as well as connections with other people. Wearing a pinky ring helps improve relationships, especially in marriage, but also in business. The little finger is also responsible for success in creativity, harmony in the emotional sphere and in the material world.

Portrait of Francesco d'Este, artist Rogier van Weyden

Portrait of Philippe de Croix, artist Rogier van der Weyden

Portrait of Charles Couperin with the artist's daughter, Claude Lefebvre

Little finger often becomes the choice of a person who wants to “make a statement” about something, since the little finger with a ring will attract the most attention - it is less bound by religious or cultural traditions and associations, so it carries your pure idea. That is, they wear rings on the little finger when they want to draw attention to this fact. People who are interested in astrology and palmistry will perceive this symbolism through a connection with the intellect and beliefs. The little finger symbolizes mercury, but this does not mean that you need to wear a ring made of this metal - it is liquid at room temperature and is also highly toxic to humans. The patron is Mercury, which personifies intelligence, communication, beliefs and intuition; it patronizes crafts and trade. Traditionally, wearing pinky rings is associated with intelligence and creativity, as well as business. Stones - moonstone, amber, citrine.

Little finger of the right hand - in the 19th and early 20th centuries in a number of countries, 2 rings on the little finger showed that a person was married (divorce ring) . The bottom ring was a wedding ring, and a ring was put on top. Now this tradition has been forgotten; some historians claim that such rings were worn by American President Franklin Roosevelt. Sometimes wearing a pinky ring is associated with organized crime traditions (mafia rings), The Soprano clan, in particular, wore such rings. In Great Britain and other Western countries, men wore a signet ring on their left little finger; antique rings of this type are more than 100 years old. Usually such rings have a coat of arms and in many families they were passed down from generation to generation (family rings with coat of arms) .

Little finger of the left hand often used for rings indicating professional status. This is typical for engineers in a number of industries, for example, mechanical engineering, where a ring can indicate achievement of a certain educational level. Graduates do not wear the ring on their dominant hand so that it does not interfere. Professional rings can be simple iron, silver, stainless steel and other materials, often they have inscriptions or signs. All of the above is typical for right-handed people; left-handed people sometimes create confusion in this entire symbolic system.

HOW MANY RINGS CAN YOU WEAR? ARE THERE ANY LIMITATIONS?

It depends on the rings. For example, a set of several thin rings on one finger is perceived as one. A safe maximum can be considered 2-3 rings scattered on both hands. Care must be taken to ensure that the rings as a whole do not look too bright, so that it is not perceived as a caricature. Men are better off wearing one “statement” ring and nothing else, or in combination with an engagement ring. But I repeat - there are no rules in this regard; here only a sense of proportion and taste can become advisers. I spent a long time looking through paintings by artists from different eras, because jewelry, including rings, are depicted in most of the portraits. It is interesting that most often people in portraits wear rings on their little finger, or on their little finger and index finger. Rings are found almost equally on the ring and thumb fingers and are least common on the middle finger. I hope you enjoy these illustrations, chosen from among the ancient paintings of masters of painting.

Portrait of Isabella Clara Eugenia, artist Alonso Sanchez Coelho

Portrait of Madame Montessori, artist Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres
National Gallery of Fine Art (USA)

Portrait of Eleanor of Toledo, wife of the Duke of Tuscany Cosimo de' Medici, artist Agnolo Bronzino

The picture when a very little girl makes herself an impromptu ring from a flower or grass and puts it on her ring finger can be seen quite often. It just so happens that girls dream of marriage from a very early age, and a wedding ring is a sign of happiness and prosperity in marriage. But today it is not entirely clear on which hand the wedding ring is worn, since Western traditions, rapidly bursting into our lives, introduce their own trends, which have not escaped the tradition of wearing these jewelry. That is why many are so often puzzled, sincerely perplexed which of the options is still correct.

A little history

The tradition of wearing rings itself is incredibly ancient, because the first mentions of them were made about 6 thousand years ago, we are talking about documentary sources, and archaeological finds are even older. Initially, rings served as confirmation of the nobility and status of their owner, and only centuries later they began to be given sacred meaning. The first appearance of a ring as a symbol of creating a family can be traced back to Ancient Egypt, where the tradition of giving it to a beloved became quite widespread among all faiths of the population. Immediately, for the first time, the tendency to wear it on the ring finger began to be traced, although it is not known which hand.

In Rus', a kind of betrothal was also accepted, when a young man gave his beloved a ring made of hemp or sedge, thereby confirming his intention to marry her. When the “hand and heart” was asked from the parents, they gave a metal ring, which symbolized the wealth and ability of the future groom to support his family. In those days, any metals were valuable, so no particular importance was attached to what the jewelry was made of.

By the eighteenth century, the popularity of rings had increased so much that even men wore them as jewelry. By its location, it was quite possible to understand at what stage of the love relationship its owner was. For example, a decorated middle finger was evidence that a person at the moment did not want anything other than friendship, a ring on the little finger indicated an opponent of marriage, on the index finger it spoke of the desire to find a worthy mate, and for a man in love it was on the ring finger of the left hand.

Wearing traditions: why they wear a wedding ring on the right hand

In fact, there is no universal rule that would regulate the preference for the hand on which the ring is put on when getting married. As a rule, the division on this issue occurs along religious lines, with rare exceptions. Thus, among Orthodox Christians, the majority wear wedding bands on their right hands, while Catholics, in most cases, wear wedding bands on their left hands.

There is no scientific interpretation for this. It’s just that for Orthodox Christians, the right hand is a symbol of truthfulness and honesty; they use it to make the sign of the cross, which is why the ring is worn that way. Those who wear a wedding ring on their left hand are also guided by similar beliefs. . Also, the tradition of putting jewelry on this hand is associated with the fact that it is located next to the heart, so blood will flow from the wedding ring directly to it, which will help make the marriage happy and lasting.

The exceptions mentioned earlier are the Armenians, who, regardless of their religion, and they are Orthodox, do not honor the custom of wearing it on the right hand. Also, the tradition does not quite correspond to the religion in Germany and Poland, where zealous Catholics put rings on their right hand after marriage. True, in Germany it is customary to wear the ring given during the engagement on the left, and at the wedding it is “sent” to the right. As a rule, traditions are the same for everyone, because which hand men wear a wedding ring on , First of all, it depends on the customs established in society. In the post-Soviet space this is in most cases the right hand, for Europeans it is the left.

Choosing a finger: on which finger do women wear a wedding ring?

Over time, traditions regarding the choice of finger for wearing a wedding band have changed quite often. Sometimes it is not worn on the hand at all, but, for example, on a chain as a pendant. This custom is quite common among the gypsies, but like them, many believe that this way the symbol of their love is located as close as possible to the heart. The medieval canons were quite interesting, which were rewritten and modified very often, since each of the appanage princes tried to carry out maximum reforms, they even concerned such trifles. Therefore, it is not uncommon to wear wedding rings on the thumbs or index fingers of both hands.

However, today, the question of which finger the wedding ring is worn on , practically no one is interested, since wearing it on the ring finger has become an unwritten tradition. Why is that? There are several versions. The most practical one is based on the theory that in this way it will not interfere with work, since it is protected by other fingers. The historical version says that the ancient Egyptians discovered that an artery branched off from this finger directly to the heart, which is why they decorated it with such a romantic symbol. Fans of the symbolic theory believe that each of the fingers on the hand symbolizes one of its generations, so the thumbs - parents, the index fingers - brothers and sisters, the middle ones - you directly, and the ring fingers - your soulmate. Therefore, the ring, as a symbol of infinity and indestructibility of feelings, adorns that finger, which is the prototype of your spouse.

In our country, there are even traditions associated with wearing a wedding ring after the breakdown of a marriage. On which hand do married women wear a ring? , whose husband died or died? Of course, this is the opposite of the one on which the wedding ring is worn, so for us it is the left. In the event of the death of a spouse, quite often his ring was put on the left one, but his own was left in the same place. However, this custom has not become widespread, since it is our custom not to remove the wedding ring from the deceased. A ring is also worn on the left hand after a divorce, if, of course, anyone wants to wear it at all.

Engagement Rings

Many consider engagement to be an innovation that appeared in our open spaces after the collapse of the Soviet Union. In fact, it has deep roots in our lands. As mentioned earlier, some semblance of a ritual was already found in Ancient Rus'. It became most widespread in the 17th and first half of the 18th centuries among the wealthier segments of the population. It was customary to conduct the ceremony directly in the church, where the future groom presented his beloved with a ring, by accepting which she agreed to become his wife. And already in the second half of the 18th century, the custom of betrothal was officially combined with wedding, thereby disappearing from everyday life almost until the beginning of the 21st century.

Even in those days, there was no stable or strict regulation regarding which engagement ring to wear on which hand, or what kind it would be, because historical traditions in each country developed differently. For example, back in the Principality of Moscow, it was first customary to give silver, exchanging it for gold at a wedding, then the man wore gold jewelry, and the woman received silver. A little later, men stopped wearing jewelry altogether, while their wives decorated their fingers with gold. In some European countries, this ring was worn exclusively before the wedding, and then removed, turning it into a family heirloom. To this day, many families pass down rings from generation to generation that are hundreds of years old.

Nowadays, it is not uncommon to wear an engagement and wedding ring together or change it to the other hand after the wedding. In the post-Soviet space, such a tradition is not very widespread, since here it is customary to put wedding rings on the right hand, while jewelry on the left is considered a symbol of the collapse of a marriage or the death of one of the spouses. However, the younger generation is gradually renouncing these beliefs, either due to ignorance or because of their nihilism. Therefore, this issue began to be given rather little importance.

Many also have a question about which finger the engagement ring is worn on. Of course, from the moment the proposal is received until the wedding day, it flaunts on the ring finger of the future bride. However, there are exceptions here too. The groom doesn’t always know the size of his future wife’s finger, so it’s so easy to make a mistake. In this case, the girls put it on the one that it fits on. Buying a set of three rings, which includes two wedding rings and one engagement ring, has become very popular now. This set is usually worn on the ring finger, since it is created in the same style and looks very harmonious.

The custom of wearing a wedding ring is one of the most ancient. There is no clear answer to the question of which hand you should wear your wedding ring on. To a large extent, everything depends on religious beliefs, traditions and the desires of the young people themselves. Since ancient times, this decoration has been considered a symbol of the happiness and well-being of the young, an attribute of fidelity and family hearth. What determines the hand for the wedding ring is adherence to a particular denomination.

In Russia, of all faiths, Orthodoxy predominates. It is customary for Orthodox Christians to wear a wedding ring on their right hand. Since ancient times, the right hand has been considered more powerful, stronger, representing “truth,” and people rely on it. They make the sign of the cross with their right hand.

Wedding rings are a necessary attribute of a church wedding. Since ancient times, betrothal and wedding rites have been completely different sacraments. The newlyweds purchased special rings for these ceremonies. As a rule, the metal used to make such rings was different: the bride had to make a silver wedding ring, the groom had to make a gold one. Today, the boundaries between rituals are blurred, and newlyweds buy one pair of rings for wedding and registration. They can be made of various metals and have different designs.

It is believed that a ring as a symbol of fidelity should be smooth, without reliefs or precious stones. There is an old proverb: “no matter how smooth the ring is, the life of the young will be just as smooth.” Today this proverb is no longer so relevant and many consider it a superstition. The newlyweds engrave the rings and use inclusions of precious metals. The main thing is that you like the ring and that it is pleasant to wear.

However, the answer to the question about which hand a wedding ring is placed on in Russia is not limited to the above. It is customary for widows and widowers to change the wedding ring to the other hand or to put two rings together on the right hand. But there is nothing reprehensible in the fact that widowers and widows refuse to wear a ring at all.

The situation with the wedding ring is different for Catholics. There, the left side is considered closer to the heart, closer to feelings. Therefore, the wedding ring in Catholic countries is worn on the left hand. The connection of the left side with the heart is decisive when choosing the hand on which to wear the symbol of fidelity among Catholics. They also believe in the protective function of the ring as a family amulet, passed down from generation to generation.

There are branches of religions that do not recognize wedding rings, considering it a fetish. These include, for example, Baptists.

In addition to religious affiliation, the choice of hand for wearing a ring can also be territorial affiliation. For example, wearing a ring on the right or left hand depends on the territory of residence of some peoples.

Muslims do not attach as much importance to rings as other faiths. But wearing rings is not forbidden. Gold is worn mainly by women. Men wear more jewelry made of silver and copper.

Armenians, for example, in most cases professing the Christian faith, also wear rings. But to wear the symbol of fidelity, they choose the left hand, since they inherited this tradition from Egypt. In addition, they cross themselves from left to right, which can also be the reason for wearing a ring on the left hand.

There are other, rarer options for wearing wedding rings. For example, Jewish women wear rings on their index fingers, while Gypsies wear them on a chain around their necks. In any case, no matter how you wear your wedding ring, the main thing is what you put into this tradition. The main thing in this custom is to preserve the well-being of the family and home, and what finger and hand to put the wedding ring on is no longer so important.