The exchange of wedding rings is a crucial part of the wedding ceremony. However, if you are not sure what finger does a wedding ring go on, you may be left with regrets when exchanging the wedding rings. It is vital to learn about the guidelines for wedding ring finger in this case.

In this article, we will take you through all the things about wedding ring finger for female and male.

Which Finger Does a Wedding Ring Go on?

The terminology regarding the wedding ring finger has remained fairly consistent with the engagement ring finger, which is on the fourth finger of the left hand. While men and women traditionally wear wedding rings on the left ring finger, the choice of wedding ring finger for male and female is not always the same due to regional cultures.

● Wedding Ring Finger for Female

Influenced by ancient Roman cultural beliefs - that the fourth finger of the left hand has a vein leading to the heart - women usually wear wedding rings on the left ring finger.

This conventional practice was accepted in most American and European countries, such as the United States, England, Canada, Italy, France, Mexico, etc., and continues to this day.

However, the tradition of wedding ring finger for female has not always been consistent across all ethnic cultures.

In some in traditionally Orthodox European countries (such as Russia, Greece, Serbia, Ukraine, Belarus, Bulgaria) and some Catholic countries (such as Austria, Denmark, Germany, Spain, Norway, Poland), as well as in Colombia, Cuba, Peru and Venezuela, women prefer to wear wedding bands on the fourth finger of the right hand. This is also true in India, where the left hand was once considered unlucky or dirty.

● Wedding Ring Finger for Male

Men usually wear wedding rings on the ring finger of the left hand, in keeping with the custom of wedding ring finger for female.

At first, married men did not wear wedding rings. It wasn’t until World War II that the custom was passed on by men who fought in the war by wearing a wedding ring as a token of loyalty and thought for their wives.

In most American and European countries, left ring finger is considered as the wedding ring finger for male. However, in some traditional Orthodox European and Catholic countries, men tend to wear wedding rings on the right ring finger to honor their religious traditions and background. Grooms in India also choose the fourth finger of the right hand as the wedding ring finger, as do brides.

● LGBTQ Wedding Ring Finger

A great number of LGBTQ+ couples select the right ring finger as the wedding ring finger. But some of them prefer to wear wedding rings on the middle finger to imply the sexual orientation and the hope of spending the rest of lives with their partner.

Distinct from the traditional wedding ring finger, LGBTQ+ raise awareness of unequal treatment through an alternative way of wearing wedding bands. For LGBTQ+ couples, wearing a wedding ring on the right hand indicates that they are in a long-term monogamous relationship and their same-sex relationship is different from a heterosexual one.

Why is the Wedding Ring Worn on the Left Hand?

The practice of wearing a wedding ring on the left ring finger dates back to ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. At that time, the Romans believed that the fourth finger of the left hand had a vein leading to the heart, called vena amoris (Latin for “vein of love”).

Wearing a wedding ring on the finger near the heart is considered to be the sincerest expression of love and emotion. The fourth finger of the left hand in this regard was called the ring finger.

Even though it has been shown in more recent years that the left ring finger does not have a direct vein to the heart, this custom is nevertheless carried out by convention. That is because the “heart” has been celebrated as a representation of romance and love in various literature and movies since ancient times.

How to Wear Engagement Ring and Wedding Band?

1. Stacking the rings

Consider wearing both rings on your left ring finger if you wish to keep wearing your engagement rings after getting married. Customizing stackable wedding bands that match the style of your diamond engagement ring will prevent them from looking out of place when worn.

Which goes first engagement and wedding ring?

The wedding ring should go on your left ring finger first, with the engagement ring on top. In this case, the wedding ring is closer to your heart. Before the wedding, you might be able to take off the diamond engagement ring from your left ring finger to make room for the wedding band. You can keep wearing your engagement ring on top of your wedding ring after the ceremony.

stackable wedding ring and engagement ring

2. Wear the rings separately

If you want a more distinctive look, choose the left ring finger as the wedding ring finger and the right ring finger as the engagement ring finger. In Brazil, German and Dutch, couples often wear engagement rings on the fourth finger of the left hand and wedding rings on the right hand.

3. Solder the rings together

Another option is to solder your wedding band and engagement ring together to form a new ring, if you normally wear them together forever. This is a wonderful option because the rings can match perfectly and even represent the marriage vows.

What Finger Does a Promise Ring Go on?

Before engagement or marriage, some couples wear a promise ring to indicate a commitment to a future engagement or romantic relationship.

The promise ring is typically worn on the left ring finger in North America, while there is no set rule on what finger the promise ring should go on. However, wearing it on the right ring finger is more customary in some European nations. Anyway, what finger do you wear a promise ring on is entirely up to you, and there is no right or wrong way to do it.

Darry Ring Wedding Rings

If you have more questions about wedding ring finger for female and male, feel free to consult with our professional jewelry experts who are dedicated to answering all your questions about wedding ring finger.

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