Why Do Wedding Rings Go On The Left Hand

In many parts of the western hemisphere including america wedding rings are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand.

Why do wedding rings go on the left hand. Blessing the wedding ring and putting it on the bride s finger dates from the 11th century. Citation needed the ring was then left on the ring finger. The wedding ring finger is another throwback to roman times when the.

The actual use of wedding rings or wedding bands dates back at least 6 000 years to ancient egypt. When you give a woman a ring it signifies immortal love a bride and groom typically exchange rings during their wedding ceremony placing the ring on each other s wedding ring finger the fourth finger of the left hand after saying their vows. The story of why a wedding ring is worn on the left hand can be traced back to ancient times when romans believed that the vein in the ring finger the fourth finger on the left hand runs directly to your heart.

Citation needed in medieval europe during the christian wedding ceremony the ring was placed in sequence on the thumb index middle and ring fingers of the left hand. Considering approximately 10 percent of the population is. Ancient romans believed the vein in the fourth or ring finger of the left hand led directly to the heart.

In a few european countries the ring is worn on the left hand prior to marriage then transferred to the right during the ceremony. Because of this they even named the vein vena amoris or vein of love. Since i live in the us now i wear a wedding band on a left hand because that s the traditional way to wear it.

It is generally accepted that this began the practice of placing the wedding finger on the fourth finger of the left hand. Monger also believes americans continue to wear their wedding rings on the left hand as a matter of convenience as well as tradition. Some women opt to wear their wedding ring on the left ring finger and their engagement ring on the right ring finger.

But the decision to wear them on what s now known as the ring finger can be traced back only around 450 years when the church of england broke off with the catholic. They called this vein the vena amoris meaning the vein of love. So why do we favor a finger on a cursed hand to symbolize lasting love.