On which hand are wedding and engagement rings worn in different countries and in Russia?

Content

1. On which finger to wear a wedding ring? Why is a wedding ring worn on the ring finger?
2. Can I wear an engagement ring before marriage?

Features of selection

Which finger to wear the engagement ring on?
The founder of the American jewelry house Tiffany & Co, Charles Tiffany, made engagement rings with a solitaire - a single diamond - a classic for engagement. The stone can have different shapes and types of cuts. It can be set off by small stones placed on the fastenings of the main stone and the rim of the ring. English jewelers traditionally create engagement rings with 3-5 stones placed in a row.

Since ancient times, a diamond has symbolized eternity. By presenting his beloved with a precious stone, along with his hand and heart, the groom assures her of eternal love and fidelity. The stone will help the couple strengthen feelings and overcome all adversity and difficulties. In addition, these stones are the best friends of all girls.

Transparent diamonds are suitable for daytime and evening looks, and also go well with other jewelry. If the groom can’t afford diamonds yet, then you can choose jewelry with their budget counterparts: cubic zirconia and Swarovski crystals. They are cut in the same way as diamonds. That's why they look the same but cost much less.

You can choose another precious or semi-precious stone that matches the zodiac sign of your chosen one or emphasizes the beauty of her eyes. But before buying a ring with a certain stone, you should inquire about its meaning, so as not to accidentally acquire a sign of loneliness or widowhood.

Metal shade is an important choice point

Before choosing the metal of a special item, you should observe what kind of jewelry your beloved prefers to wear. At the same time, decide on the size and shape of the ring. If a girl often wears yellow gold jewelry and warm-colored jewelry, then she should opt for yellow-colored gold.

Lovers of cool jewelry need to choose a ring made of white metal. Depending on the allocated budget, this could be expensive platinum, cheaper white gold, or budget silver.

When a girl loves massive jewelry, then you can choose a more complex multi-level model. The grace of thin long fingers will be highlighted by a narrow ring, and a heart-shaped stone will express all your feelings without further words.

Which finger to wear a wedding ring on?

There is no official legislation on this matter. It's all about traditions, family foundations, and, ultimately, comfort for each spouse. In Russia, the customs of Orthodoxy are more widespread, and according to them, when getting married, the bride and groom put wedding rings on each other’s ring finger of their right hand.

After the wedding, it happens that one of the spouses puts the wedding ring in a home box - it is not very convenient, or expensive and valuable, the jewelry has become small or, on the contrary, flies off the finger. There is nothing terrible about this: some models, especially if they are decorated with stones, are really indecent to wear every day at work, and constantly taking off and putting on a wedding ring when doing household chores can lead to the loss of the jewelry. Not all models will be handled by a jeweler if it is necessary to change the size of the jewelry. For many objective reasons, it is permissible to wear a wedding ring on any other finger, including if the size of the ring finger has changed. Focus only on your individual conditions, be guided by rational reasons and choose the solution that is right for you, regardless of popular wisdom, advice from friends, or centuries-old traditions.

Why is a wedding ring worn on the ring finger?

Different countries have their own stories that have survived to our times: in the east it was believed that only the ring fingers have a connection with the heart, and Slavic beliefs claim that each finger of the hand is assigned an invisible connection with the family. The large ones symbolize our parents, the index fingers symbolize sisters, brothers, close relatives, the middle ones symbolize the person himself, the little finger is assigned the symbol of our children. And the nameless ones correspond to the spouses.

The legend that we remembered at the very beginning sounds very beautiful: they say that by folding the middle fingers, that is, ourselves, it is impossible to tear the nameless ones away from each other and the spouses, having entered into marriage, will forever remain an inseparable couple.

Do not try to repeat this trick with yogis or, for example, pianists. Many hours of daily exercise, training the strength and flexibility of fingers, fine motor skills will quickly depreciate this beautiful legend.

Can I wear an engagement ring before marriage?

Of course, choosing jewelry is not complete without trying on dozens or even hundreds of rings, but if someone really wants to wear a piece of jewelry before the wedding day, do it.

See how beautiful the engagement ring looks on your hand while no one is looking, and put it back in the box before the appointed date. The pleasure of contemplating the beauty of precious stones and fine jewelry work will temporarily only come from your engagement ring: it can be worn permanently, before the wedding and after.

No bad omens, of course, will work if the couple expresses a desire to wear wedding rings before the wedding. But definitely, the wedding ceremony itself will no longer be as sublime if before the wedding the newlyweds simply take off their rings, and during the ceremony they put them on each other again. However, some are ready to put rings on each other at least every day: romance is a purely personal thing, but also an integral part of married life.

Wedding rings in folk signs and superstitions

Wedding rings have always been attributed special significance and even power. Therefore, there are many signs associated with them. Here are a few of the most famous and “popular” to this day:

• the joint purchase of a pair of wedding rings promises the newlyweds a long life together;
• You should never (either before or after the wedding) let anyone try on your wedding ring. It is believed that this way you can give your family happiness into the hands of another person;
• people believe that if the ring falls during a wedding, then the young couple will face separation or an early break in the relationship;
• It is considered a bad omen to remove the wedding ring immediately after the wedding;
• parental jewelry can be used as wedding jewelry only if their marriage was happy, since it is believed that by putting on someone else’s wedding ring, a person takes on “someone else’s fate”;
• If one of the single guests at a wedding manages to touch the wedding rings of the bride and groom, this is a sign of his imminent wedding.

When preparing for a wedding, paying attention to various little things and superstitions, do not forget that only people create happiness in family life.

Who wears it on the left hand

Russia is a hospitable, multinational country, and different peoples have their own traditions, which would take quite a long time to list. Here are just a few options why the wedding ring is worn on the finger of the left hand:

• It is more comfortable
• These are the traditions of Catholic, Muslim or other denomination
• The spouses belong to different nationalities and beliefs, but agreed to wear rings on their left hands
• Decoration means the person is divorced

Signs associated with wedding rings

All beliefs originate from the ancient traditions of nationalities. In Russia, people follow these signs:

• The wedding ring should be smooth and without elaborate patterns. If the conditions are met, then life together will be just as smooth.
• You cannot put rings on other fingers. This can lead to betrayal in the family.
• If the jewelry doesn't fit or is dropped during the exchange, it's bad luck.
• Wedding rings should not be given to other people to try on. It is believed that it absorbs human energy.
• If a couple gets divorced, it is not recommended to wear rings or even keep them at home. They also cannot be used during a second marriage.

Similar signs exist in all countries, and in many ways they are similar to each other.

Despite all beliefs, wearing a ring should be practical and not cause discomfort to the owner. Some manual labor simply will not allow you to keep the ring intact. Therefore, often what finger a ring is put on when getting married is an individual question.

What does a wedding ring on the right hand mean?

In fact, the explanations are exactly the same as for the left hand, it all depends on habits and traditions. The only thing that can be added is that owners of wedding rings, if they are left-handed, despite all the recommendations, may well change the jewelry to their right hand, since for them the left hand is dominant. And since it performs all the actions, the ring can simply get in the way.

After divorce

First, decide for yourself whether to wear it or not to wear it. Neither secular nor religious etiquette have any rules or even recommendations on this matter, leaving the choice to the owner of the ring after the divorce.

In case you want to continue to shine with the ring - it is dear to you, despite the failed relationship, it is very beautiful, you are used to it for a million other reasons, the jewelry is worn on the other hand. That is, if at the wedding the wedding ring was worn on the right, after the divorce it is worn on the left and vice versa. An unconventional solution is also possible: a wedding ring (even together with an engagement ring) is hung on a chain and is a stylish alternative to a pendant: fashionable, beautiful, and versatile.

But in addition to traditions, it is worth taking into account the issue of the emotional sphere - whether others will have questions about their marital status, or whether they will have to experience awkwardness, having to explain themselves in front of a less than well-educated public. This aspect also needs to be considered before changing the position of the wedding jewelry.

Traditions of different pages and religions

The most important word here is traditions: not laws, not strict regulations, not clear recommendations or guidelines. Traditions are an expression of habits, customs that have developed over centuries and nothing more. To accept them or not is the voluntary choice of each person.

Notice how great the differences are between the characteristics of wearing wedding rings among many nations, but family happiness is, on average, the same for everyone. Some wear rings on their right hand, others wear jewelry on their left, middle or ring finger, index or even little finger. Many couples do not pay any attention to which finger the ring is worn on: the middle finger is more comfortable for the husband, the ring finger for the wife, but it is unlikely that this difference affects the feelings and relationships in the couple.

In Russia

If we take into account the traditions that have developed since ancient times, then in our country the wedding ceremony instructs the bride and groom to put wedding rings on the ring fingers of their right hand. This custom can be explained quite rationally: our Slavic ancestors crossed themselves with their right hand, used it to do all the housework, pay for purchases, take many household items, and also gave alms.

The right hand was considered life-giving, dominant - a wedding ring was placed on its ring finger. It is worth noting that engagement rings were not common in Russia for a long time, although in the Middle Ages some semblance of such a tradition still existed. The groom expressed his intentions to marry precisely by gifts to his future wife and members of her family. Among others, the gifts included a ring. For many reasons, mainly economic, this custom gradually faded into history, but is being successfully revived in our time.

In the USA and Europe

American traditions are completely opposite to Russian ones: both the engagement and the wedding ring are placed on the left hand of the future wife. This is where geography and the customs of different religions come into play. In the United States, most believers adhere to the Catholic denomination, where it is customary to wear rings on the left hand.

But with European countries everything is not so simple. Brides and grooms in the western part, as in the United States, do not hesitate to extend their left hand on their wedding day, while the eastern part, although not all, for the most part, like Russians, wear wedding rings on their right hand. And such a trifle does not at all separate loving hearts from different countries.

Of course, if we analyze the traditions in detail, by country, some confusion will arise: for example, Spanish couples, Polish or Norwegian right-handed couples, while France or England, Ireland, Slovenia and a number of others prescribe wearing rings on the left hand. By the way, even with little sunny Spain, misunderstandings can arise - proud Catalonia, long before its separation from the Spanish state, always wore wedding rings on its right hand. But who can stop such details if love and family happiness are at stake!

Muslims

This is not an easy question, because for men, Islamic traditions do not provide for such an attribute as wedding rings. But the east is a mysterious matter, so sometimes everything depends on the geography of residence of the bride and groom. The fact is that in ancient centuries, rulers of different countries were happy to teach ordinary people about fashion: for example, a decree of the Shah could command the wearing of a wedding ring on the index finger, and his colleague in the neighborhood, in order to be different, ordered to get engaged only with rings on the little fingers. It’s easy to guess that there were 10 wearing options, based on the number of fingers on both hands.

Nowadays, this whole complex system has more or less come to a single result, and Muslims, like the majority of those getting married around the world, more often wear wedding rings on their ring fingers. Right or left hand - depends on the country of residence. There is, however, a nuance: men wearing gold, to put it mildly, is not recommended, so silver, platinum, a non-standard shape of a wedding ring and many other tricks are used. If a man wears jewelry that vaguely resembles a wedding ring, for example, on his little finger or even his index finger or thumb, this may also well mean that he is married.

Jews

Jews make up the largest part of the adherents of this denomination, and it is also impossible to say that there is a single rite of marriage here. It all depends on how strong the faith of those entering into marriage is, whether the bride and groom follow the canons of the Torah (the holy book of the Jews), and whether they want to live in respect for the traditions of their parents, ancestors, and the nation as a whole.

For secular youth, the wearing of rings by husband and wife is not prohibited; the style of jewelry, hand and fingers are chosen at the request of the future spouses. But for God-fearing young people, honoring the traditions and prescriptions of the Torah is sacred: wearing a ring for a man is inappropriate. Therefore, during the ceremony of initiation into a wife, the ring is worn only by the bride, and on the index finger of the left hand (in Jerusalem - on the middle one).

It is characteristic that the decoration is on this finger only until the end of the ceremony, and then the young wife puts it on and subsequently wears it on any one convenient for her. It is easy to come to the conclusion that most women prefer the nameless one that is already familiar to everyone, just like a man who decides to follow secular traditions. The choice of hand does not matter.

How to wear jewelry correctly

In order for the decoration to benefit its owner - to emphasize the beauty of the hands, to add vital energy, it must be used correctly. General principles for wearing rings:

• To visually lengthen your fingers, choose elongated, oval-shaped jewelry.
• Massive rings with large stones look unsightly on short fingers. This design is not suitable for short people and those with thin fingers.
• Young ladies should choose elegant openwork rings.
• You cannot wear rings made of precious metals and jewelry on your hands at the same time. This is a sign of bad taste.
• If a woman has a short manicure, then she should not wear more than two jewelry on one hand.
• Large rings look cheesy in the daytime.
• If there are several rings on one finger, then they should be harmoniously combined with each other.
• You cannot combine products from different materials.

With stone

Precious stones have an active biofield. They are often inserted into rings. These rings can be worn on any fingers. The main thing is to follow the following rules:

• Limit yourself to one ring if it is decorated with a large insert stone.
• Do not wear items with diamonds or other precious minerals before 5 pm.
• Match jewelry with a massive stone to the color of your outfit.
• If you are going to communicate with a person who carries negative energy, wear a diamond ring. It will protect against the evil eye.
• On a long journey, choose jewelry with blue sapphire. This stone will protect you from an accident.
• If you have financial problems, wear a yellow sapphire ring. This mineral also helps to cure women's ailments. Insert it into a gold frame and place it on your index finger.
• Natural ruby ​​will help maintain a love connection. It is better to give it a place on the middle finger.
• Topaz helps a happy marriage. The fourth finger is suitable for the stone.

Bless and save

Rings with the inscription “save and preserve” are religious amulets. They protect against misfortunes and tragic incidents because they are charged with powerful energy. This is not a banal decoration, but a message to God asking for mercy.

It is believed that such a ring prevents the appearance of sinful thoughts. It is better to purchase such a talisman in a church. It is worn on the right hand.

Rules for wearing a “save and preserve” ring:

• before use it is consecrated in the church;
• it is better if it is made of silver;
• it is forbidden to remove it - as long as the ring is on the finger, the power of the Almighty remains with the person.

This is an unusual decoration. Treat it with care. His loss is a dangerous omen. It means that a person has lost contact with God and has become vulnerable to dark forces.

Wedding

Wedding rings hold deep meaning. During the ceremony, they are placed on the right side - in front of the face of the Lord. According to customs, it is better to choose products from different materials: for the groom - from silver, for the bride - from gold. Jewelry is not used for this ritual. A simple design without bulky inserts or elaborate decor is suitable for these products.

The wedding ring should be worn on the ring finger of the right hand. From him there is a direct path to the heart. If a person uses a pair of rings - an engagement ring and a wedding ring, then the second one should be on top.

According to Orthodox canons, only widowers and women who have lost their husbands wear a wedding ring on the ring finger of the left hand.

With runes and esoteric signs

The power of jewelry with magical formulas depends on how much a person believes in them. In order for the ring to turn into an amulet and fulfill a mystical purpose, you need to choose the right finger to put it on.

The following recommendations will help with this:

• It is better for an unlucky person to wear such a ring on his middle finger to lure good luck to his side.
• Palmists advise weak-willed, shy people to keep it on their index finger. The power of Jupiter will make you believe in yourself and increase self-esteem.
• To gain fame and money - on the nameless. Esotericists claim that this will bring success in your personal life.
• To enhance your creative potential, wear jewelry with magical signs on your little finger.

Depending on your goals, you can change the ring with runes from one finger to another.

Unusual wedding rings on the hands of famous people

Today it is very difficult to surprise someone with the shape, design or material of a ring; the choice of jewelry is fantastically huge. Public figures have only one thing left to do: compete in the cost of wedding rings, the size of the stones, the quality of their cut, and the color of the inserts, which is unusual for wedding jewelry. Kim Kardashian, Beyoncé, Holly Berry, Paris Hilton - they all happily show off rings with diamonds, emeralds of several carats and worth millions of dollars.

The beautiful Anna Kournikova does not lag behind Western celebrities - her ring is incredibly expensive and at the same time not typical for the Hollywood star party: an Australian pink diamond of excellent quality, purity of color, and transparency at one time conquered even the most unscrupulous paparazzi.

As a result, for celebrities, better almost always means more, and the unusualness of wedding or engagement rings most often fades into the background. The same cannot be said about the aristocracy: moderation, high style, classic design are the main priorities when choosing wedding rings for members of royal families in different countries.

Which hand is the engagement ring worn on?

Even if a girl knows or guesses in advance about the upcoming proposal to share life, love and happiness, the moment itself can cause confusion: which hand should I extend to my loved one so that he can put the long-awaited ring on his finger?

Which hand is the ring put on when proposing?

Dear ladies, and men too, don’t worry - the engagement ring can be worn on any hand, whichever is more convenient for you, despite traditions, customs, signs, advice and other information unnecessary at the time of engagement. It doesn’t matter who proposes to whom either!

But in reality, it is often your lover who proposes, and believe me, at this moment he is no less nervous than you and may well forget even a well-rehearsed script. Alternatively, he is a Catholic or came for you from Europe, America and acts according to the traditions of his country. This is where you really get confused, should you wear an engagement ring on your right or left hand? Don’t worry, the main thing is to answer yes, if you really agree to enter his life and let new family members on his side into yours.

Which finger to wear an engagement ring on?

If we talk about Russia, the ring finger of the right hand takes on all possible rings, both for engagement and wedding. But this does not mean that this unspoken rule must be followed unconditionally. Many brides leave the engagement ring on their right hand after the wedding, and wear the engagement ring on their left. Some people are happy to show off with both jewelry on one hand on different fingers, while others are more comfortable wearing the wedding ring separately, and in this case the engagement ring goes into the family jewelry box until a better opportunity. Do what’s most convenient for you and don’t worry about signs: bad ones don’t work, but good ones are nice to believe in.

After the wedding

Of course, the prize for the most popular way to wear a wedding ring along with an engagement ring goes to the ring finger, no matter which hand. How to combine, whether it is worth doing, and how beautiful both rings look together on one finger depends on the design of the jewelry. As a rule, there are no problems with combinations with the classic style; you can allow yourself any options, depending on your mood or, for example, the wardrobe you have chosen for the day.

Beautiful, non-standard shapes of rings also allow you to experiment with ways of wearing them: together, separately, on fingers next to each other or on different hands.

Sets with a design in which one ring follows the curve of the other invariably attract attention: as a rule, the main part in this case is performed as an engagement ring, and the wedding ring is an addition to it, although in Russia this trend, due to a misunderstanding, is not so widespread. This is very beautiful - nesting (nested) ring, thanks to American celebrities, is incredibly popular among Western newlyweds.

Much attention to the fleeting moment

The exchange of rings is one of the main moments of the ceremony, although it takes no more than a minute. Engagement photos take pride of place in the young family's wedding album, and the wedding video features a close-up view of it.

Therefore, it is better to pay attention to how to put on rings at the registry office:

1. There is no need to rush, lest under the influence of emotions you drop the ring or lose the “ability” to hit the target and put it on the right finger the first time. All this will be filmed on camera without the opportunity to “replay” the moment.
2. For convenience and to avoid funny incidents, it is better for the bride to give her bouquet to the witness at the time of the exchange of rings.
3. Newlyweds should consider how best to provide camera operators with a good view and angle of the engagement.

READ ALSO: Queues at the registry office - take a seat in advance

Purity Ring

If you are not yet completely confused about engagement rings, wedding rings, traditions, fingers and hands, here is another idea for you - how to diversify your life before marriage with the help of rings. The jewelry, as a symbol of purity, is worn by a couple who wish to get married, but at the same time observe the tradition of abstaining from sex until the wedding ceremony.

Unlike wedding and engagement rings, the purity ring has its own symbolism; in Russia these are Christian prayers transferred to the outside or inside of the jewelry. Western options are also associated with the Christian faith, but are framed in the traditions of a particular denomination. In other countries, the purity ring is also called the daughter's oath to the father.

Which finger is the ring put on at a wedding?

If you have already relaxed and decided that the issue with the rings is finally resolved - sorry, no. In addition to purity, engagement and the wedding itself, there is also a wedding tradition in Orthodoxy. And yes, in this case you will have to stock up on another set, and not a simple one, but a wedding one, which will be worn in the same way as an engagement ring - on the ring finger of the right hand.

The rings themselves for this ritual should be special, without excessive pretentiousness or scattering of stones. It happens that the priest refuses to use obscenely expensive wedding rings, reminding the newlyweds to observe the traditions of Orthodox modesty, recommending simple options, with engraving or minimal decoration.

But at the same time, if the text of an Orthodox prayer is engraved on the surface of an expensive wedding ring with a large gemstone, the priest will not prohibit the use of this option, but, on the contrary, will approve the jewelry and accept it for the wedding without objection.

What not to do: how to wear rings on your fingers correctly

In jewelry etiquette, it is important not only on which hand you should wear the rings, but, first of all, how many of them you have in total. The number of rings on both hands should not exceed 4. An exception is if you are about to have a social event, or you are a person of blue blood. They always wear wedding and family rings, sometimes rings that connect you with religion.

You cannot combine silver and gold rings! For men, the norm is no more than two rings on one hand. If you decide to decorate only one hand with rings, filling it with the maximum number of accessories, leave the middle finger free. Remember that placing rings on all fingers is at least inconvenient. The rings will scratch each other, it is easier to lose them, since the frames, clinging to one another, “move” towards the edge of the finger. Avoid wearing rings on your thumb every day because the risk of losing or damaging it is very high!

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