Why do people exchange rings when they get married? When did the first ones appear on which hand to wear? Let's try to figure it out and answer the questions that have arisen.
Which hand do we wear the wedding ring on?
Let's turn to history. The ancient writer Plutarch explained that the first who wore wedding rings were the Egyptians. It was they who, examining the structure of a person, came to the conclusion that there is a subtle connection between a nameless person and a person's heart through a nerve. The wedding ring on the left hand confirms this conclusion. At the wedding of newlyweds in the Catholic Church, wedding rings are worn on the left hand. This is explained by the fact that this hand is closer to the heart, and the Catholics apply the cross from left to right. In the Orthodox Church, a wedding ceremony is performed and wedding rings are put on the right hand. But religious guidelines are not followed everywhere. The tradition of wearing a wedding ring on a particular hand is rather national in nature. And history confirms this. In many countries, contrary to the ordinance of the church, people who are married wear rings on their other hand.
It is not customary for Muslims to confirm a concluded marriage by wearing wedding rings. According to the Qur'an, gold jewelry is not worn. A Muslim groom can give a gift to the bride by giving her a gold, but not a wedding ring. It makes no difference which hand a Muslim woman will wear. There is a rather interesting mystical theory according to which a wedding ring is worn on the right hand. It is believed that there is a Guardian Angel behind the shoulder of the right hand, who will also preserve the marriage. Bad sign, if married woman puts on a wedding ring on his left hand. And the gypsies have a wedding ring on which hand? Not on the arm, but on a chain, on the neck.
About wedding rings
“There is no beginning and there is no end. Love is a ring ”, - is sung in a famous song. A ring is a line closed in a circle that never ends. Wedding rings weren't always made of metal. In Russia, newlyweds, getting married, put on birch bark rings. Over time, ceramic rings appeared and from simple metal with semi-precious and precious stones. Only in the 16th century did wedding rings become gold. New wedding traditions have emerged. A groom from Rome, for example, presented a ring in confirmation of the
marriage to the bride's parents. Among the Jews, the groom gave a gold coin. The noble knight put a ring with the coat of arms of his family on his wife's finger. When the exchange of rings became an integral part of the marriage, the tradition of giving rings came to the poor class. Rings were made of wood, clay, stone, copper, bronze, iron. But there was no single established rule, which hand to wear on a wedding ring, in those days there was not in any country.
Now the spouses are free in their choice and can choose rings from any metal and any shape, with or without stones, with inscriptions on the rings, only observing the country's traditions in wearing wedding rings.
The wedding ring is an ancient symbol of love and fidelity. Wedding rings can be inherited, they are traditionally worn on the ring or “ring” finger, but there are peoples who prefer the index for the wedding ring. There are many signs and superstitions associated with the wedding ring. For example, it is believed that losing a wedding ring is a divorce. The Orthodox Church calls not to believe in omens. On which hand they wear the wedding ring in different countries- in the material of Pravmir.
Which hand is the wedding ring on?
In most traditions, the wedding ring is worn on the ring finger, while someone chooses the left hand for this, and someone the right hand. It all depends on the traditions of the country, the religion of the spouses and their personal choice. On which hand the spouses wear the wedding ring - they decide for themselves, focusing on their preferences.
What does the wedding ring symbolize?
The wedding ring, which used to be called the "altar" ring, is a symbol of family ties and marriage, as a link between two people. Altar means “sacrificial,” because marriage is a voluntary sacrifice. During family life we have to give up a lot, but we get a lot in return - the love and support of loved ones, the miracle of childbearing (although the meaning of marriage is not in childbearing, but in the union of two people for the sake of God), happiness to overcome all difficulties and share the joys together.
We have not received the exact information about how the tradition - to wear wedding rings - appeared. Some of the scientists believe that it originated in Ancient Greece, someone objects that the Ancient Egyptians began to exchange the first wedding rings.
We know for sure that Plutarch wrote about wedding rings. He did not answer the question of which hand the wedding ring was worn on, but he did say why the ring finger was chosen for the ring:
“According to legend, the ancient Greeks wore a ring on the finger closest to the little finger of their left hand. The Romans had the same custom, as they say. The reason for this ... is that during dissection and dissection of human bodies according to the custom adopted in Egypt (the Greeks call it anatomy) it was found that from this one finger a certain delicate nerve leaves and reaches the heart; that is why it was considered appropriate to regard this finger as such an adornment, as being the closest participant to the heart that prevails in the body. "
Wedding rings weren't always made from precious metal, at the dawn of the formation of this tradition, they could be woven from hemp, reed or other materials. In ancient Rome, rings were already metal, but the groom did not give the ring to the bride herself. He passed it on to the parents of his future wife. Thus, the groom showed that he has sufficient wealth to become the head of the family and the girl was calmly given after the wedding to her husband's house.
The ring symbolizes infinity, as a sign of the infinity of love. V Lately on the rings, which were traditionally smooth, began to place gems, engraving inscriptions and their design began to differ from the classic.
Interestingly, in many traditions, the finger on which the wedding ring is worn is called not "ring", but "ring", since it is intended for a wedding ring.
On which hand do women and men wear a wedding ring in Russia?
Orthodox Christians usually wear a wedding ring on their right hand. But not only the Orthodox have such a tradition, it was formed in the following countries:
It is customary for Orthodox Christians to wear a ring on the ring finger of their right hand during marriage. On the right hand, wedding rings are worn in the following countries:
- Uzbekistan,
- Ukraine,
- Belarus,
- Russia,
- Moldova,
- Kazakhstan,
- Serbia,
- Poland,
- Georgia,
- Chile,
- Norway,
- Greece,
- Iceland,
- India,
- Venezuela,
- Argentina,
- Kyrgyzstan.
Who wears a wedding ring on their left hand
Catholics usually wear a wedding ring on their left hand. Countries where the wedding ring is more often found on the left hand include:
- Australia,
- Turkey,
- Azerbaijan,
- Armenia,
- Cuba,
- Brazil,
- France,
- Finland,
- Ireland,
- Canada,
- Mexico,
- Slovenia,
- Croatia,
- Sweden,
- Great Britain,
- Italy,
- Czech,
- Slovakia,
- Estonia,
- Japan,
- Korea,
- Syria.
Traditionally, it is believed that the left hand is closest to the heart, but for Orthodox Christians the right side of the body is considered “correct”, therefore the ring is worn on the right hand. This has nothing more than a symbolic meaning.
Which hand is wearing a wedding ring depending on religion
Judeans
In Judaism, the wedding ring is most often worn on forefinger, it is interesting that the same tradition existed in Ancient Russia. It is known that in a number of regions of Egypt and Ancient Israel, wedding rings were worn on the middle finger of the left hand. It is believed (although we do not have exact information) that this is exactly how Saint Joseph and the Virgin Mary became engaged.
An engagement ring is not just a piece of jewelry. This is a sign of genuine love and devotion. A man with a gold ring on his finger shows his feelings to his beloved wife and people around him. Attribute should also be treated appropriately. But you need to know on which hand the wedding ring is worn.
A bit of history
Judgments about where the first products appeared, and on which finger they wear the wedding ring, differ. It is believed that the tradition of exchanging rings and wearing them for many years appeared in Ancient Greece.
Others think the custom took root with the participation of the ancient Egyptians. The inhabitants of this country said that a thin nerve runs from the ring finger to the heart. This fact was the reason for wearing the ring on the finger closest to the little finger.
And the very custom to exchange them came from ancient times. Previously, reeds were used instead of metal.
Today their choice is huge. And rings are already being bought as jewelry. By the type and shape of the accessory, you can learn about the financial well-being of the family, as well as about the relationship of a married couple.
This is also influenced by the shape and design of the jewelry:
In some families, one of the spouses does not wear an engagement ring. There are reasons for this too:
- Instinctive attempts to show the absence of marital restrictions.
- Original protest.
- Desire to make new acquaintances.
- The ring has become out of size over the years.
Choose this attribute responsibly. After all, this is a sign of family, love and fidelity.
Traditions of Christians and Muslims
Many people are interested in what hand people of different faiths put on a wedding ring. In Russia, family people wear wedding bands on their right hand, and it is on the ring finger. This has been the custom for a long time.
In Russia, girls wore two rings:
Nowadays, Christians also wear a wedding attribute on their right hand. And this custom is followed not only in Russia, but also in Ukraine, Greece and Belarus.
Muslims wear jewelry on the left hand. But they usually do not wear gold, but prefer silver jewelry. It is customary for Catholics to wear rings on the finger of their left hand. This has been the custom for a long time. After all, the left hand is closer to the heart.
Wearing on special occasions
A ring put on the ring finger of the right hand shows that a person is not free. He already has a second half in this life. People value relationships with loved ones. Weddings are also worn on the finger in other cases:
- When parting. Sometimes love leaves, and two loved ones become strangers. The decision on which hand to put on the wedding ring after a divorce is made by each person independently. Usually after breaking up ex-spouses get rid of the rings. Men sometimes take it to a pawnshop. And women are sorry to throw out gold decoration... Since it cannot be redirected, ladies continue to wear the attribute of marriage, but already on their left hand. There are signs according to which you do not need to leave your wedding ring, as it will remind you of the past. And in a new marriage, it is better to buy a new piece of jewelry.
- Death of a spouse. After the death of one of the spouses, the ring can not be removed, only changed into the other hand. This is a sign of loyalty to a dear husband even after his departure to another world. Some women take off and put away their jewelry, then put the husband's ring on their left hand as a symbol of eternal bond. Sometimes both rings are strung simultaneously on the ring finger. The widow decides for herself whether to continue wearing the ring. But this is optional. It will be more difficult for her to cope with the loss of her spouse.
It may happen that a person is deprived of a favorite piece of jewelry. Despite the fact that this is a thing and nothing bad will happen, many believe that such a sign is unkind, and the incident can lead to strong conflicts in the family.
If the engagement party is lost, the person is worried about how to protect himself and his family so that nothing bad happens. All beliefs associated with his loss indicate that problems will begin in the relationship of the spouses.
New wedding supplies can be bought. And the remaining one ring can be taken to the church. The priest will tell you what prayer can be read in this case, so that good relations remain in the family.
Other signs
People are convinced that the wedding ring is a magical symbol of the bond of marriage. And they want to know on which hand the ring is worn, whether it is possible to take it off so that there is family happiness. With these jewelry many signs are connected:
People are interested not only in which hand the wedding ring is worn on, but also if it is possible to wear it before the wedding. It is undesirable to do so. This can cause offensive moments during the wedding or lead to its cancellation. Therefore, you need to take the rituals seriously and responsibly.
Wearing wedding rings in marriage has been adopted since antiquity. But, despite the age of this fashion, men and women still have a dilemma - on which finger to wear a wedding ring.
What finger do married girls wear their wedding ring on?
One of the more popular wedding ring legend stories is the engagement story of Mary and Joseph. According to legend, the carpenter put his narrowed ring on his left hand, but on which finger - views diverge. Someone thinks that the nameless, others - the middle. Famous artists often depicted the moment of engagement in their paintings, but not everyone adhered to the classic version - Raphael and Perugino, for example, depicted Joseph, who string a ring on the finger of Mary's right hand.
In the countries of the Middle Ages, there was also no agreement regarding these symbols of marriage - almost every ruler by his decree prescribed on which finger his subjects would wear them from now on. And the choice in this case could fall on absolutely any finger of both hands. The 17th century English, for example, wore this symbol of marriage on their thumb, and the Germans on their little finger.
Since in Christianity the answer to the question of choosing a finger for a wedding ring remains controversial, historians have tried to turn to other sources. In Ancient Egypt, historians also did not decide on the choice of a hand, but the inhabitants of this country preferred the ring finger. By the way, in Ancient Egypt, a strip of metal connected into a ring was a symbol of pure and eternal love. Wealthy Egyptians gave their beloved gold rings, and less prosperous ones made of copper, bronze or silver.
There is an interesting version of the explanation of the reason that the ring fingers are mainly chosen for wedding rings. According to this myth, all fingers of the hand symbolize close relatives - children, parents, brothers and sisters, and the nameless ones - spouses. If you put your palms together, pressing your fingers together, then all fingers, except for the ring fingers, can be easily spread apart. This symbolizes the main idea of marriage - people get married in order to live for each other, to serve each other. Children, parents, brothers and sisters leave home, and only spouses remain together forever.
What finger do they wear a wedding ring on today?
V modern society the custom of stringing a wedding ring on one finger or another predetermines religion and place of residence. The adherents of the Catholic faith choose the ring finger of their left hand, because it is believed that the wedding ring should be worn on the same side where the heart is located. And, in addition, there has long been a legend that the ring finger of this hand is directly connected to the heart with a vein, vein or nerve (depending on the interpretation). Orthodox Christians put the symbol of marriage fidelity on the fourth finger of their right hand, proceeding from the idea that “right” is a relative of the word “truth,” in addition, the sign of the cross is also performed with this hand.
On the right hand, symbols of marriage are worn by Germans, Indians, Norwegians, Spaniards, Russians, Ukrainians, Poles, Greeks, Venezuelans. Armenians, Azerbaijanis, 
Brazilians, Slovenes, Swedes, Americans, Japanese, British, Koreans, Austrians wear a ring on their left hand during a wedding. At the same time, there are nations where marriage symbols can be seen on both hands, as, for example, in Belgium.
On which finger do widows and divorces wear their wedding ring?
There are no special rules about which finger should be on the wedding ring after the loss of a spouse or divorce. The most common option is to change hands, i.e. if after marriage a woman wore a wedding ring on her right hand, then during the period of widowhood - on her left. For the most part, divorced people prefer to take off their wedding ring altogether so that it does not evoke painful memories.
Due to some discrepancies regarding the marriage traditions practiced in Europe and in Russia, some confusion arises from time to time. It is connected with which hand should wear the wedding ring, as well as what to do with the engagement ring after the wedding, and also how to be widows and widowers.
Is an engagement ring a must-have for a wedding?
For painting in the registry office, rings are not required, it is enough to submit an application on time and write in the appropriate journal on the day of marriage registration. Wedding rings are a beautiful and very popular tradition that rarely anyone wants to retreat from.
What rings and how to wear
An engagement ring is put on the hand of her lover by her newly-made groom. And this happens after the marriage proposal has already taken place, and an affirmative answer has also been received. Unlike wedding rings, such a ring is an adornment. It is, as a rule, decorated with inserts of precious or synthetic stones, and also has a very stylish appearance... However, it all depends on the tastes of the fair sex for whom it is bought. Some prefer external laconicism to everything.
It is curious that the jewelry that the groom gives before the wedding, as a rule, is more expensive than the one that will be worn on the finger during the wedding ceremony itself. The engagement ring is worn on the ring finger, on the right hand. But, after the wedding, the main jewelry symbol of marriage will be dressed there in the registry office. In this regard, wedding rings are often made in pairs, the same for the groom and the bride. But the engagement is usually worn only by girls.
After the wedding ceremony, Catholics, as well as Muslims, in most cases wear wedding rings on their ring fingers, on their left hand. We put them on the right hand. This directly depends not so much on the characteristics of religious beliefs, but on what customs have developed in a particular country. Since ancient times, it was believed that it was the left hand that was directly connected with the heart. And so the rings were worn on her. However, if the newlyweds wish, then they may well place the rings anywhere after the wedding ceremony, for example, hang them on a chain, as gypsies do, or put them in a box at home to wear on holidays. Well, in the registry office you still have to follow the rules, putting the ring on your hand.
Two or one
If an engagement ring with an engagement ring is a couple, then after the wedding a woman can wear both of them on one finger. When jewelry is made in completely different styles, then one would be better to remove. Many families have a tradition of passing on the engagement ring by inheritance, especially if the previous family unions in this family were successful.
Wedding rings are needed for the wedding ceremony performed in the church. These days they are often engraved with, for example, the date of the wedding or the names of the husband and wife. Wedding rings may not be gold. Some people choose simple or silverware... They may have the words "Save and Preserve" written on them. They are worn mainly on the left hand. It is generally accepted that the wedding ring helps a woman during childbirth, therefore many do not take them off, even going to the hospital.
Advice
After the death of one of the spouses, it is no longer necessary to wear a wedding ring. However, if a widow or a widower wants to preserve the memory of his deceased soulmate in this way, then he need not be removed. Usually, the jewelry is changed to the opposite hand. That is, from right to left, if we have it, and from left to right, if we are talking about Europe.
Engagement
The engagement is a very beautiful and old rite that follows the matchmaking, it precedes the wedding. When the young man received permission from the bride's father, he presents her with an engagement ring. It is not removed until the very day of the wedding and is considered a symbol of the strength of future relationships, as well as sincerity of feelings.
Why the wedding ring is worn on the ring finger
Conclusion:
Almost all married couples have wedding and engagement rings. Giving and wearing them is a beautiful and long-standing tradition that is popular all over the world. In this regard, it is very important to know how to choose and wear rings correctly.
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