Why Engagement Rings are Worn on the Fourth Finger
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Engagement rings and wedding bands are almost always exclusively worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. Most of us even call our fourth finger our “ring finger.” If you are wondering why the wedding ring goes on the left hand or why the fourth finger became the preferred placement for engagement rings, here's the answer!
Not surprisingly, the heart was considered the emotional center of the body. The vein that supposedly went from the fourth finger to the heart was even dubbed the vena amoris by ancient Romans (Latin for the “vein of love”).
Unfortunately, we now know that this ancient belief is not true -- there is no vein that runs from our ring fingers to our hearts. So, why do we continue to wear our engagement and wedding rings on this finger?
There are several countries throughout the world that have switched things up, though! Germany, Austria, Denmark, and India switch what hand the wedding ring is on. Often wearing their wedding rings on the right hand. However, people in these countries still choose the fourth finger for their rings, so it’s safe to say that this is a global custom.
The Reason Why the Fourth Finger Become the “Ring Finger”
The tradition of exchanging wedding rings is dated back to ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, and ancient Rome. These cultures all chose to wear their wedding rings on their fourth finger of their left hands because they believed there was a vein in this finger that went directly to the heart.Not surprisingly, the heart was considered the emotional center of the body. The vein that supposedly went from the fourth finger to the heart was even dubbed the vena amoris by ancient Romans (Latin for the “vein of love”).
Unfortunately, we now know that this ancient belief is not true -- there is no vein that runs from our ring fingers to our hearts. So, why do we continue to wear our engagement and wedding rings on this finger?
Why Have We Kept This Tradition?
People today continue to wear their engagement and wedding rings on their fourth finger because that’s what we’ve always done! After all, we no longer believe that emotions literally come from our physical hearts, yet we continue to refer to our “heart” as romantic, loving, and emotional.Do You Have to Wear Your Wedding Rings on the Fourth Finger of Your Left Hand?
If you don’t love the idea of following tradition, you may be wondering if you really have to wear your ring in the customary place. You certainly don’t have to (there are no rules here). However, other people may not realize that you’re “taken” if they don’t see your ring on the traditional finger since it’s such a common practice in our Western culture.There are several countries throughout the world that have switched things up, though! Germany, Austria, Denmark, and India switch what hand the wedding ring is on. Often wearing their wedding rings on the right hand. However, people in these countries still choose the fourth finger for their rings, so it’s safe to say that this is a global custom.
