Why Are Wedding Rings Worn on the Left Hand?

Have you ever wondered why wedding rings are worn on the left hand? With a little bit of digging, I discovered a few possible reasons for this long-standing tradition...

The story of wearing your wedding ring on the left hand can be traced all the way back to the ancient Egyptians who wrongly believed that the vein in the ring finger on the left hand ran directly to the heart.

The ancient Romans also adopted this belief and named the vein  "vena amoris" or vein of love! During the engagement process, if a suitor could afford a ring, he would slip it over his love's fourth digit on her left hand, symbolizing a grip around her heart.

Others contend that the fourth finger became popular due to an early Christian ritual. Worshipers, as an expression of their devotion, "crossed" themselves in an Orthodox Church using their thumb joined with the index and middle fingers. Historians submit that this grouping of fingers represented the Holy Trinity when placed together, and  the “ring” or fourth finger represented natural love, making it the ideal spot for a ring.

A more practical explanation for wearing the wedding ring on the fourth finger stems from the belief that since most individuals are right-handed and use that hand more, the left hand is a safer place for a wedding ring to be!

But did you know that not every country uses the wedding ring on the left hand? Countries such as Spain, Venezuela, Peru, India, Norway and Denmark wear their wedding bands on the right hand, but still on the fourth finger. It is believed that the wedding ring is worn on the right hand because it is the stronger of the two, thereby symbolizing the strength of the marriage between a husband and a wife.

While no one can say for sure where this traditions stems from, ultimately the choice about which hand you wear your wedding ring on is yours! Whether you wear it on your left or right hand, we hope you choose Mullen Bros. Jewelers for your ring!

We're honored that Mullen Bros. Jewelers ranks #1 in overall customer ratings among all jewelry stores in Southeastern Massachusetts and we will continue to take care of our neighbors and friends, one jewel at a time.

Sources: www.mentalfloss. com, www.todayIfoundout.com