What Hand Does a Wedding Ring Go On? (Global Traditions)

The subject of which hand a wedding ring should be worn on is one that is frequently asked by engaged couples before they get married. The phrase “the left hand” is something that many people automatically utter, yet it is just a portion of the image. Where you reside, your religious upbringing, and even the traditions that your family has always followed all play a role in determining the response.

Left Hand: The Most Common Choice in Western Cultures

The wedding ring is traditionally worn on the fourth finger of the left hand in several Western countries, including the United States of America and Italy. This practice originates from the ancient belief in the vena amoris, which literally translates to “vein of love” in Latin. It was believed that the vena amoris went from this finger directly to the heart.

Although the vena amoris does not have an anatomical foundation, the sexual connotation associated with it has survived for generations. Although there is no scientific evidence to support this belief, many people attach considerable emotional importance to the practice of wearing their wedding ring on their left hand.

Countries where the left hand is commonly used:

United States
United Kingdom
Ireland
Canada
Australia
New Zealand
Italy
France
Mexico
South Africa

Right Hand: A Strong Tradition in Europe and Beyond

When it comes to wearing a wedding ring, the right hand is the one that is traditionally chosen in many different cultures. The reasons encompass a wide range of things, from cultural symbolism to religious importance. Strength, honor, and taking public vows have all been linked with the right hand for a very long time.

For instance, Orthodox Christians, who are prevalent in countries such as Greece, Russia, and other Eastern European nations, often wear their wedding bands on the right hand. In a similar vein, nations that have a significant influence from the Catholic Church, such as Austria and Poland, frequently favor the right hand.

Countries where the right hand is commonly used:

Russia
Germany
Norway
Greece
Ukraine
Bulgaria
Austria
Poland
Spain
India (in many regions)

Latin America: Diverse Traditions Based on Country and Religion

The customs of the countries that make up Latin America are quite diverse from one another. In the countries of Brazil and Colombia, for instance, it is normal to wear the engagement ring on the right hand first and then to move it to the left hand once the wedding ceremony has been completed. In Chile, people wear both wedding bands and engagement rings on the right hand.

A combination of Catholic rituals, colonial history, and local traditions frequently contributes to the formation of these types of customs.

Examples:

Following the ceremony, the engagement ring is shown on the right, and the wedding ring is displayed on the left.
In Chile, people traditionally wear their wedding and engagement rings on the right side of the finger.
In Argentina and Mexico, the wedding band is often placed on the left side, as is customary in the United States.

Middle East and South Asia: A Blend of Customs

The Middle East frequently connects Islamic, Jewish, or cultural traditions to the practices associated with rings. Although the Quran does not specify which hand should be used for wedding rings, the majority of Muslim men choose to wear their rings on their right hand, particularly during the wedding ceremony.

In India, faith is a significant factor in determining one’s identity. When it comes to wearing wedding rings, the right hand is typically the one that is chosen in Hindu customs because of the auspicious importance of the right hand. Nevertheless, newer generations occasionally embrace the left-hand custom as a result of the impact of Western culture.

Key observations:

India (Hindu): Often the right hand for auspicious reasons.
India (Christian/Muslim): Varies—some adopt Western left-hand tradition.
Israel (Jewish): The wedding ring is often placed on the right index finger during the ceremony, then moved to the left ring finger.

African Traditions: Varied and Evolving

Many African societies do not have a long-standing custom of wearing wedding bands as a symbol of their marriage. African civilizations instead used symbolic rites, dowries, or gifts to represent the institution of marriage. However, as a result of globalization and the impact of Western culture, the practice of wearing wedding bands has grown increasingly conventional.

Taking South Africa as an example, a significant number of individuals adhere to Western traditions and wear their wedding bands on the left hand. But in other places, colonial history or religious beliefs may affect hand choice.

East Asia: Blending East and West

Wedding ring customs in East Asian countries like China, Japan, and South Korea are relatively modern and largely influenced by Western trends.

Japan: After World War II, Americans influenced the custom of wearing wedding rings on the left hand.
South Korea: Left-hand ring placement is the norm, but some opt for the right hand due to personal preference.
China: Urban couples often wear wedding rings on the left hand. In some traditional communities, men wear rings on the left and women on the right to represent Yin and Yang.

Scandinavia: Unique Traditions Persist

Every country in Scandinavia has its own unique characteristics. When compared to many Western cultures, where the habit of wearing engagement rings is less widespread, Sweden and Denmark are two countries in which both men and women frequently do so. Engagement with Wedontherihan Anothinaspis demonstrates that both men and women wear rings, which is a break from the norm in many Western societies.

Traditionally, engagement rings are worn on the left hand in Finland. After the ceremony, wedding bands can stay on the same finger or be moved to the right hand.

What if you move countries or marry interculturally?

One of the most common questions that many couples confront in today’s more interconnected world is, “Which hand should we choose for our rings if our traditions are different?”

There is no wrong hand to wear your wedding ring on. Within the context of intercultural partnerships, it is typical to

Observe the customs of one of the partners.
It is common practice to combine the two traditions, such as wearing a wedding band on one hand and an engagement ring on the other.
Make your decision depending on your own personal comfort or taste for symbols.

In the end, the significance of the hand that the ring is worn on is less important than the meaning of the band itself.

Modern Trends: Personalization Over Tradition

Over the past few years, an increasing number of couples have decided to wear their wedding bands in unconventional ways. Nowadays, the selection of which hand to wear your wedding ring on is considered more of a personal choice than a formal custom. This is because the choice can be made for various reasons, including comfort, occupation (for example, left-handed people tend to favor their right hand), or fashion.

Many solutions are available, all of which are considered suitable options. These possibilities range from silicone bands for your exercises to stacking minimalist rings on both hands, respectively.