Since ancient times, the ring on the finger has been a symbol of marriage. However, in the past, newlyweds did not always have to wear a ring on their finger. For example, in ancient Rome, in order to get a woman, men gave her parents a ring. This indicated that the groom was ready to provide for his chosen one and his future family.
Most peoples of the world have a custom, thanks to which, after marriage, newlyweds begin to wear rings on their fingers. But jewelry can look different, and is worn in each country on different hands and fingers. In Rus', the right ring finger was chosen for this.
How representatives of different nations of the world used to wear wedding rings
Representatives of Egypt were sure that the left ring finger has a close connection with the heart. Therefore, by putting a ring on it, the wearer showed others that his heart was occupied. It also symbolized strong love and devotion.
Neat haircut and mustache: a 1st century figurine with a “modern” hairstyle was found
Difficult second divorce and adopted son of Nikolai Dobrynin: photo
3 categories of people who should not eat walnuts to avoid harming themselves
In Ancient Greece it was believed differently, the left hand was the personification of the dark side and misfortune, so it was considered necessary to put the ring only on the right hand.
In the Middle Ages in Europe, it was customary to wear the ring only on the right hand, and even in England, where the tradition changed over time. Later they began to put it on the left hand. Historians say that a woman’s left hand symbolized a sign of respect and submission to her husband. It is worth noting that in the West, for quite a long period of time, married men did not see the need to wear rings. This custom appeared during the terrible war of 1939-1945. The decoration reminded the soldiers that their family was waiting at home, and therefore they needed to do everything necessary to return.
In which countries is the wedding ring worn on the left hand?
As we have already said, in Catholicism, as well as its most numerous branch, Protestantism, it is customary to put rings on the left hand at the time of wedding. The unspoken rule applies to a huge number of states, which include:
- USA;
- Great Britain;
- Ireland;
- Italy;
- Spain;
- France;
- Australia;
- Mexico;
- Sweden;
- Czech Republic;
- Croatia, etc.
The exception is Orthodox Armenia. In the apostolic tradition, which continues the conventional “Roman” canon, married men and married women use only their left hand.
As for Muslim countries, until the 20th century, husband and wife who identified themselves as Islam did not wear rings at all. The pioneers who adopted the “European” fashion were the Turks, and after the collapse of the USSR, the Azerbaijanis. In addition to them, Arabs actively began to wear rings in Syria (on the left hand) and the Kingdom of Jordan (on the right).
Ritual in modern Europe
Europe has its own ritual associated with rings. First, the future husband puts the ring on his right index finger, because it is considered the most important and necessary, and only after the wedding can the bride take off the ring and put it on her ring finger. In Germany and the Netherlands, before the wedding, rings are put on the left hand, and after the ceremony and painting they are changed to the right.
The date of birth will determine what kind of marriage will be - one of convenience or one of love
“My last woman on this planet,” says Dzhigurda about his beloved
A unique 25 meter high panoramic hill will appear in the center of London
On which finger do widows and widowers wear their wedding ring?
With the loss of a spouse, the situation is more complicated, both psychologically and from the point of view of public opinion, which in countries with a large number of believers still matters. Coping with the death of a spouse is not easy, so many try to preserve a good memory of a person in the following ways:
- Two rings are put on at once – your own on the right finger, the deceased spouse’s on the left.
- Both decorations are for the left hand.
- A pendant is made from the ring and worn on a chain.
The latter custom came to Europe from gypsy rituals - it is not customary for people to tie wedding items with their hands; they still wear them around their necks along with a cross.
In what parts of the world is it customary to wear a ring in the same way as among Russians?
It is worth noting that wearing a ring on the ring finger of the right hand is common not only in Russia. The same custom is followed by spouses from Norway, Latvia, Colombia and Spain, etc. In Lebanon, Brazil, Syria and Turkey, after the engagement, the future spouses put rings on their right ring fingers, and after the ceremony they change them to their left ones.
In India, it has long been believed that the left hand is dirty. However, these days this does not matter; rings are worn arbitrarily.
Most Muslims do not wear wedding rings at all. They do not have such a ritual during the wedding. However, if the spouses decide to put on rings, then the choice of hand for this is not important.
Wedding rings are worn on the left ring finger in the USA, Czech Republic, England and Australia. Also in some Asian countries. Western widows often change their ring to the other hand to symbolize their devotion to the deceased.
“Relationships are everyday work,” says Savicheva about a happy marriage
Ekaterina Gradova passed away: the actress passed away in Moscow at the age of 75
Pink and more: what color to get a manicure to hide age
Popular wedding ring models
The modern market of wedding accessories amazes with its diversity. Wedding and engagement rings are no exception. You can choose the right pair of jewelry for a simple painting in the registry office or a modest wedding, or for a luxurious celebration. It all depends on the preferences and priorities of the newlyweds and the wedding budget.
Classic or original
Perfectly polished, smooth jewelry without engraving or stones is a timeless classic. This ring will suit any outfit, it is comfortable for everyday wear and does not cling to hair or fabric.
Thin models look elegant, laconic and stylish. Perfect for young newlyweds. Such decorations go well with other accessories and do not distract from the essence of the ceremony. Another plus is the affordable price compared to larger models.
READ
Balloons for a wedding: from the cortege to the ceremonial arch
Wide models are suitable for men and women of mature age. They personify stability and reliability, which is important for a future marriage. Sits firmly on your finger.
Convex models will emphasize the grace of thin fingers. But rings of this shape often slip off easily and get lost. In addition, convex jewelry is more susceptible to external influences and requires more care.
If a smooth piece of jewelry seems too simple and you want something more sophisticated, you should take a closer look at products with a diamond cut. This is a special type of metal processing that allows you to get an amazing play of light on the surface of the ring.
An original solution is jewelry made of different metals for the bride and groom. For example, gold and silver as a symbol of the unity of opposites. There is no limit to your imagination here: you can decorate the gold ring with solar symbolism, and the silver ring with lunar symbolism, which will enhance the symbolism of this unusual combination.
There are many options - combining two metals in one ring, individual engraving with a symbolic date or phrase for the couple, inlay with precious stones. The choice should be taken with full responsibility, because in the future, engagement rings may become a family heirloom, passed on from generation to generation.
Metal products
The choice of material depends on the circumstances and budget. Precious or semi-precious metals are usually preferred:
- Traditional yellow gold. Pros: Resistant to tarnishing and oxidation. An alloy of gold with other metals is used to make jewelry. Taking into account the amount of impurities, gold has a certain purity. For wedding rings this is usually 585 or 750. The fashion for the yellow tint of this noble metal came to Russia from abroad.
- Pink gold. The usual shade of Soviet wedding rings has returned to fashion again. The reddish glow of the gold alloy is given by the presence of copper. The higher its share, the brighter the tone. The samples are the same as for yellow metal hoops.
- White is another shade that gold jewelry can have. It is imparted by silver in the alloy, but it cannot completely remove the yellowish tint, so such products are often coated with a layer of rhodium, a metal belonging to the platinum group. But the procedure has to be repeated after some time, since the spraying is erased.
- This shade is popular due to the fact that white is a traditional wedding color. For this reason, salons and stores often inflate prices for white gold products.
- Platinum. This is an alternative to white gold. Products made from this metal are more expensive, but have advantages - durability, resistance to abrasion and scratches. The weight of such a ring is greater than that of a gold one. Another nuance is that you need to pay special attention to the size of the jewelry, since changing it in the case of platinum will be problematic.
- Silver. Rings made from this inexpensive metal are cheaper, but look noble and elegant. Silver jewelry is often rhodium-plated to protect it from oxidation and impart shine and a color similar to platinum.
When choosing the material of an engagement ring, you need to take into account many factors - finger size, frequency of wearing, etc. Any items made of precious metals require care, preferably professional, so periodically you need to take your jewelry to a jeweler for cleaning and polishing.
With or without stone
There is a prejudice that newlyweds’ rings must be smooth so that harmony reigns in the family. But many couples do not pay attention to such beliefs, and the market presents a large assortment of products with inlay and other types of decoration. But when choosing a model with stone inserts, you should know their meaning:
- Sapphires and diamonds will bring wisdom, strength, sublime and pure love to the newlyweds’ union. These are joint victories, joy and family support.
- Emerald will help the newlyweds not to forget their wedding vows throughout their life together. This stone will not allow the flame of love to fade, and will maintain the light and warmth of family relationships for many years.
- Rings with topaz are suitable not only for a marriage ceremony, but also for an engagement. Spouses will respect each other and always find a compromise solution even in the most difficult issues. The stone can be pink, yellow or blue.
- Garnet means openness, honesty. By choosing this mineral, newlyweds protect their family from gossip, intrigue and gossip.
- Cubic zirconia is an alternative to diamonds and other precious stones, an unprecedented scientific invention. Its cheapness is both a plus and a minus. On the one hand, at a low price you can purchase a high-quality crystal that transmits all shades of the light spectrum no worse than its natural counterpart. On the other hand, it is so widespread that a priori it cannot be precious.
READ
Wedding chest: ideas and master classes on making a treasury
The arrangement of stones in the product can be any, for example, one large insert in the middle and several small ones around. Inlay can be combined with engraving, diamond edges, and twisted elements.
How do Russian people wear a wedding ring?
Russians a long time ago began to observe the custom of wearing jewelry exclusively on the right hand. Some people sometimes take off their rings because there are no strict rules about it. You are allowed to do as you please. Some people remove the ring after marriage so as not to damage it while performing some everyday tasks.
Russians believe that a wedding ring symbolizes all family values, so everyone decides individually whether to show it to others.
However, why did it happen that in Russia it is customary to wear a ring exclusively on the ring finger on the right hand? This is an Orthodox custom. The right side is considered to be right and true. It's worth noting that this is the root of the expression "you're right." Therefore, the ring represents respect for family values. Why then on the ring finger? But here everything is simple, he is least involved in performing household duties.
History and ritual
In ancient times, the presence of rings made of precious metals indicated a person’s status and well-being. The groom, presenting such a gift to the bride's parents, proved his ability to provide for his future family.
According to another version, the ring represented infinity. Having put on this decoration, the newlyweds swore boundless and eternal love to each other. If you look at it differently, rings are links in one chain that connects a woman and a man at the moment of marriage.
Thanks to archaeological excavations, it was possible to find out that the first marriage rings appeared during the times of Ancient Egypt. Then noble people had jewelry made of gold and silver, poor people - from copper and iron.
In Egypt and Israel, newlyweds' rings were worn on the middle finger of the left hand. It is believed that this is how the Holy Virgin Mary and her husband Joseph became engaged.
Since knowledge of anatomy in the Middle Ages was not yet sufficiently developed, there were many erroneous judgments. It was believed that there was a nerve connecting the heart to the left arm. It was romantically called the "artery of love." Partially for this reason, the wedding ring on the left hand has become a tradition.
The rulers constantly issued decrees regulating the way of wearing wedding jewelry. There were 10 possible options (the number of fingers on human hands). There are historical examples when jewelry was even worn on the thumb or index finger.
How betrothal and wedding took place in Rus'
Until the eighteenth century in Rus', weddings did not take place immediately. Previously, there was a special holiday - engagement, which was reserved for betrothal. At that time, the groom gave his future wife a shawl, scarf, ring, and poured strong drinks for the guests. Then the wedding took place, the newlyweds went to church, having already put on their wedding rings.
In 1755, the Holy Synod decided to simplify the entire process. The future husband sent the wedding ring and other gifts to his priest, who would later marry the newlyweds, and he, in turn, passed all this on to the bride through his proxies. That is why rings began to be put on directly at the wedding altar.
It may seem very unusual that wedding jewelry was much more expensive and beautiful than those exchanged between young people in church. However, there is a simple explanation for this: in the church code of rules it was prescribed to choose a simple decoration.
Found a violation? Report content
The meaning of rings on certain fingers
Show me which finger you wear the ring on and I'll tell you who you are!
That's right - you can learn a lot about a girl by the way she puts a ring on a certain finger. Of course, there are exceptions - sometimes the product simply does not fit the size of other fingers, or the girl puts jewelry on one or the other finger. But if it is noticeable that the ring is always displayed in the same place, or a girl puts different rings on one finger (hand), it is worth finding out what this means.
- Big. Girls who have a strong sense of adventure prefer to decorate this finger - this can manifest itself as a love of extreme sports, travel, and adventures.
- Pointing. Women leaders, women entrepreneurs, charismatic and strong personalities wear jewelry here. As a rule, such ladies focus on the main thing and do not pay attention to the little things, so they move quickly on the way to the goal.
- Average. Gentle and feminine people who are able to win over and arouse sympathy among men like to wear rings on this finger. These are kind, attentive and non-conflict young ladies with whom it is comfortable to communicate.
- Nameless. Romantic girls and women who are focused on their personal lives like to wear rings here. Emotionally calm, confident ladies subconsciously strive to decorate this finger. A wedding ring is usually worn on the right ring finger.
- Little finger. Creative, freedom-loving, talented women wear jewelry on their little fingers. They are friendly, cheerful, hospitable, and see the world in bright colors. If the girl with the pinky ring has not yet found her favorite creative activity, then this is ahead - it’s worth trying herself in something new. Astrologers are confident that the “correct” ring on the little finger – with a stone selected according to the horoscope – will help to unlock creative potential.
These meanings of rings on the fingers of women’s hands are somewhat generalized; they will help to get a general idea of the owner of the jewelry. To find out more, we recommend paying attention not only to which finger the girl puts the ring on, but also on which hand she prefers to wear it.
