Diamond rings have become a universally accepted symbol of love and commitment. But which finger to wear an engagement ring? Does wearing an engagement ring with a specific finger influence one’s relationship?
How high did you jump when you learned that your bae wants to take your relationship to the next level? Getting hitched is the most awaited moment in one’s life. The emotional investment it takes to build a relationship while experiencing all the ups and downs is priceless. Hence, it has to be special, be it an engagement or a wedding. Everything has to be perfect, from deciding the dates to the venue and guest lists to the engagement ring. But what about the many intricacies of a wedding? For starters, which finger to wear an engagement ring?
Let us know what finger the engagement ring is worn on and how they are worn worldwide. Are the rules different for engagement ring fingers for male and female in hindu?
Which hand and finger to wear an engagement ring?
Further, in some countries like Chile, the traditions are entirely different. Firstly, both the bride and groom must receive engagement rings. Secondly, the engagement ring hand for them is the right hand. Hence, they wear engagement rings on the right hand. However, once married, the couple shifts the rings to their left hand.
One interesting thing to note here is that couples wear their engagement rings on the ring finger, regardless of the hand they wear it on.
But, have you ever wondered why people wear their rings on the ring finger?
Engagement Ring Finger for Male and Female in India
The tradition of wearing an engagement ring on the ring finger dates back to ancient Egyptian and Roman times. Back then, people believed a vein existed, which ran from the fourth finger of the left hand directly to the heart. They called it the ‘vena amoris’ or the vein of love. Since a relationship is all about emotions arising from the heart, wearing an engagement ring on the ring finger demonstrates love and commitment. (Source)
Despite this being a sentimental notion, no one today agrees to this much. This is also because we all know that there is no such vein called vena amoris. So, while the myth no more exists, the tradition still continues. In fact, the engagement ring finger for male and female in India is the ring finger.
Ring Wearing Tradition in the UK
Wedding ring tradition in the UK comes from the ancient Romans. Let us tell you that Romans inherited this tradition from the Egyptians’ vena amoris notion. But the Egyptians did not wear engagement rings.
Therefore, the British wedding ring practice goes back to Egypt. However, their engagement ring culture also comes from ancient Rome. Here, it was customary to give a pre-marriage ring to the brides-to-be to seal the marriage commitment.
Countries with the same ring tradition as Britain
At present, many English-speaking countries including Ireland, USA, South Africa, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand follow the same engagement ring tradition as that of the UK. People here too wear their engagement rings on the fourth finger, i.e. ring finger of the left hand. Further, countries like Jordan, Turkey, Mexico, Croatia, Romania, Finland and Slovenia also follow the same practice.
Also, Egypt and Italy follow the same tradition. Please note that the left hand, ring finger tradition was originally forged in these two countries. In fact, the engagement ring finger for male and female in Hindu is also considered to be the same.
Ring Traditions in Various Parts of the World
- Several countries follow the tradition of wearing an engagement ring on the fourth (ring) finger of the right hand. This includes women from Russia, India, Spain, Denmark, the Netherlands, Russia, Norway, Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, Venezuela, and Austria.
- The right-hand tradition is an established custom in these countries, irrespective of the religion a couple belongs to. The couple put on the engagement ring first, followed by the wedding ring. There is no tradition associated with this. It is just because of the order the rings were gifted in.
- However, in Germany, a bride can wear her engagement ring on the ring fingers of both the right and left hand. As a general rule, Protestants follow the practice of wearing a ring on the left hand. However, Catholics prefer the right hand for the same.
- In Modern Jewish culture, couples, during the marriage ceremony, wear the wedding ring on the right hand’s ring finger. Later, they wear it on the left hand’s ring finger. According to the old tradition, however, some more conservative Jewish ceremonies use the index finger or the thumb to put on the wedding ring. This tradition persists in many modern Jewish families.
- Even in Brazil, the ring is first placed on the right hand’s ring finger and is later shifted to the left hand during the wedding ceremony. However, there’s no religious reason associated with this practice.
- Many Islamic countries in South Asia and West Asia also wear engagement rings. Here, women usually wear them on the left hand’s ring finger and men on the right.
- Further, Traditional Muslim wedding ceremonies do not have the custom of exchanging rings. But if one does so, the ring is worn either on the right or left ring finger.
Which Finger is for Engagement Ring in India?
Traditionally, there’s no such thing as an engagement ring finger for female in India. But with Western influence, exchanging engagement rings have become more common now. When talking about engagement ring fingers for males and females in India, men wear them on the right-hand ring finger; women put them on the left hand.
Men’s Engagement Rings
There’s no such tradition in history that demands men to wear an engagement ring. No one has heard of a groom’s engagement ring finger. However, this trend is on the rise today. Ever wondered which is the ring finger for male? Well, it’s the same left-hand ring finger as in women.
According to a survey by the Huffington Post, there has been a 280% rise in Pinterest images of men’s engagement rings. Another survey also found that 17% of men want to wear a “man-gagement” ring.
Engagement Ring Fingers Today
Engagement ring traditions are no doubt exciting for most people. Knowing the history behind which finger to wear the engagement ring feels amazing. However, not everyone likes to follow the crowd for their reasons. And that’s okay!
Couples are usually caught between different cultures these days. Hence, they have different ideas about how the ring ceremony should work. Also, some other couples want to take it the way that excites them the most. And that’s great. Whatever you choose to do, whichever finger you put your ring on, the important thing is what it means to you and your partner. The ring finger in Indian culture is unimportant as rings are not traditionally part of Indian culture.
Be it a promise of foreverness, a declaration of love, or something else, you two decide how to take it further and what it means to you.
CONCLUSION
So, there’s no fixed or proven answer to “Which finger to wear engagement ring”? We know many traditions and rules on the right engagement ring finger based on the region or religion. It’s entirely up to you which to choose. But one thing is for sure. There isn’t a right or wrong way to wear an engagement ring, particularly in today’s modern world. Hence, you can get as creative or unique as you and your partner like.
While some prefer their middle fingers, others wear engagement rings on their index fingers. People sometimes take a practical approach to deciding on the ring, hand, or finger as per their lifestyle. If you are left-handed, for example, you may wear the ring on your right hand to protect it and keep it safer from damage. On the contrary, if you want to follow the traditions, you can stick with the groom engagement ring finger on either the left or right hand. However, if you are free-willed and want to try new things, you can choose what works for you.
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FAQS
In India, the customs surrounding the wearing of engagement rings can vary depending on the specific cultural, regional, and religious practices. While there is no universal tradition or fixed rule, there are some common practices regarding engagement rings for men.
In many Indian cultures, including Hindu customs, engagement rings are more commonly associated with women than men. The engagement ring is typically worn on the left hand’s ring finger by the to-be bride. This finger is believed to have a vein that leads directly to the heart, symbolizing love and commitment.
On the other hand, there isn’t a specific finger designated for men to wear engagement rings in Indian traditions. If men choose to wear an engagement ring, it is more common to wear it on the right hand, particularly on the ring finger. This is often done to differentiate the engagement ring from the wedding ring, traditionally worn on the left-hand ring finger after marriage.
In the United States, men and women conventionally wear engagement rings and wedding bands on the left ring finger. This tradition is deeply rooted in Western culture and has been followed for many years. The left ring finger is often referred to as the “ring finger” and is believed to have a direct connection to the heart through the vein called the “vena amoris” or the “vein of love.”
Wearing the engagement ring on the left ring finger in the United States symbolizes the commitment and bond between two individuals. After getting engaged, it is common for the engagement ring to be worn on the left hand, and later, during the wedding ceremony, the wedding band is added alongside the engagement ring on the same finger.
The engagement ring is traditionally worn on the left ring finger. The left ring finger is also commonly called the “ring finger” in many cultures. This finger is believed to have a direct connection to the heart, symbolizing love and commitment.
Wearing the engagement ring on the left ring finger is widespread in countries like the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and many Western cultures. However, it’s important to note that customs can vary across different cultures and individuals.
While the left ring finger is the traditional choice, some people may wear their engagement ring on a different finger or even on the right hand based on personal preference, cultural traditions, or individual significance. Ultimately, deciding which finger to wear the engagement ring on is up to the individual and what feels most meaningful and comfortable to them.
In India, the customs and traditions regarding the wearing of engagement rings can vary based on cultural practices and individual preferences. While there is no universal rule, there are common practices in India.
Typically, in Indian culture, the engagement ring is worn on the ring finger. However, there is a gender distinction regarding the hand on which the engagement ring is worn. It is common for the to-be bride to wear the engagement ring on the ring finger of her left hand. This aligns with the general convention of wearing rings on the left hand in Indian culture.
On the other hand, for the to-be groom, it is more customary to wear the engagement ring on the ring finger of the right hand. This practice differentiates the engagement ring from the wedding ring, usually worn on the left-hand ring finger after marriage.
It is possible to wear an engagement ring on the right hand. While it is more common in many Western cultures to wear engagement rings on the left hand, there are no hard and fast rules regarding which hand to wear an engagement ring. Wearing an engagement ring on the right hand is often a matter of personal preference, cultural customs, or individual significance.
For females, in many Western cultures, the traditional finger for wearing an engagement ring is the ring finger of the left hand. This finger is called the fourth or “ring finger.” It is believed to have a direct connection to the heart through the “vena amoris” or the “vein of love.” However, cultural practices can vary, and the choice of finger for wearing an engagement ring can differ based on personal, cultural, or religious traditions.
No specific finger is considered the absolute best when it comes to a diamond ring or any other type of ring. The choice of finger to wear a diamond ring is mostly based on personal preference, cultural customs, and individual style. The ring finger, the fourth finger of the left hand, is commonly chosen for diamond rings, but it’s not mandatory. Some people prefer diamond rings on the other fingers or the right hand.
