Well, it’s the week of Valentine’s Day, which this year falls on Thursday, and there is no end to the topical articles, ads, and admonishments about Valentine’s Day expectations. Valentine’s Day has become a bit controversial here in the US, because those supposed to be lucky in love are elevated, while those sadly single are left out of the romantic antics. There has even been a cross-culture movement celebrating a version of Valentine’s Day for singles. I’ve heard it called everything from Galentine’s Day to, well, just Thursday. Valentine’s Day is also the most popular day of the year to engage your beloved, with Christmas the second most popular day to become engaged. What I wanted to know, though, was why do we wear engagement and wedding rings on the fourth finger of our left hands?
When I began to research the answer, I discovered so many articles on the subject that I suppose it’s common knowledge. But it wasn’t to me, so the first place I turned to was the authority on all things bridal. I was surprised to learn that there really is no single worldwide tradition.
According to Bride’s Magazine, [bctt tweet=”the practice of wearing a wedding ring on our left hand began back in Roman times when it was thought that the vein in the fourth finger of the left hand was directly connected to the heart.”] So, a ring, a circle, a symbol of eternity, was placed on the digit that became known as the “ring finger.” Today, of course, we know that all of our fingers have veins that run directly to our hearts, so there it is. So much for romantic lore.
In many other countries, though, the wedding ring is worn on the right hand, as in some cases, the left hand is thought to be unclean. In other cases, different fingers are used to sport wedding bands, and inn the modern era of commitments of all kinds, promise rings, chastity rings, rings that symbolize bonds of all sorts are worn on a variety of fingers. In some countries, a tradition of wearing an engagement ring on the right hand, then transferring it to the left after the wedding vows are spoken is common.
Finally, if a bride will be wearing both her engagement ring and wedding ring together, it has become a tradition in the US that the wedding band be worn geographically closest to the heart, in other words, pushed onto the finger and worn closest to the knuckle nearest the wrist, and the engagement ring worn next. Eternity bands or anniversary rings are then worn stacked next, so that it is positioned nearest the end of the finger in the ring “sandwich.”
Nowadays, there are so many non-traditional traditions, including the materials commitment rings are made of, that it hardly matters where you wear your ring. Do what is meaningful in your own relationship. Traditions, like rules, are made to be broken. Viva la romance! Sparkle on!
Laura