Why do Russians wear a wedding ring on their right hand?

On which hand do Muslims and Arabs wear a wedding ring?

According to ancient traditions, Muslim weddings are held in a mosque. The ritual is performed by a mullah, consolidating the marriage of two loving hearts before Allah. In ancient times, newlyweds did not exchange rings. This tradition appeared only a few centuries ago.
In countries where Islam is practiced, wedding rings are worn exclusively by women . At the same time, they decide for themselves which hand to put the jewelry on. Iranians wear rings on their left hands, while Jordanians wear rings on their right.

Is it on one hand?

wearing tradition

In fact, there is no one general rule that governs the preference of the hand on which the ring should be placed when getting married. Often the division in the question of which hand married women wear the ring on is based on religious principles:

Among Orthodox Christians, the majority wear wedding bands on their right hands;
Catholics, for the most part, are on the left.

Important! There is no scientific interpretation to this, just:
For Orthodox Christians, the right hand is a symbol of honesty and truthfulness; they use it to make the sign of the cross, which is why they wear the ring that way.
Those who wear jewelry on their left hand have similar beliefs. Also, the tradition of wearing a ring on this hand is due to the fact that this hand is located next to the heart, so the blood will flow from the engagement ring directly to it, which will help make the marriage strong and happy.

The exceptions are the Armenians, who, regardless of their religion (usually Orthodoxy), do not honor the tradition of wearing it on the right hand. Also, the tradition does not quite correspond to the religion in Poland and Germany, where devout Catholics put wedding bands on their right hands after marriage.

Important! In Germany, it is customary to wear the jewelry given during the engagement on the left hand, and during the wedding it is “sent” to the right.

As a rule, the traditions are approximately the same for everyone, so the hand on which married men wear the ring primarily depends on the prevailing customs in society. In the post-Soviet space it is often the right hand, for Europeans it is the left.

On which hand do Turks and Tatars wear a wedding ring?

In Turkey, during a wedding, jewelry is worn on the left ring finger. In addition, a guy puts a ring on the same finger for a woman when he proposes to her.
Recently, more and more traditions have appeared in Turkey that came from the West. Therefore, some, more modern couples wear rings on the right ring finger.
For those who do not know how Tatars wear wedding rings, further information will be relevant.
Tatars put a “symbol of love” on the ring finger of their left hand.

Not everywhere on one

In Catholic countries

In a number of countries, wearing this complex decoration on the left hand is due to Catholicism. As you know, Catholics prefer to see it on the left hand. For example, in the Czech Republic, in Germany and even in Brazil, a former colony of Portugal, there is such a tradition. Associated with vena amoritis - a vein that connects the ring finger of the left hand directly to the heart.

Compared to Russian traditions, significant attention in Catholic countries is paid to the engagement ring.

The groom gives it to the bride when he proposes marriage. It is also worn on the ring finger of the left hand. After the wedding, the girl wears her engagement ring on the same finger, either on top of the engagement finger or instead of it.

On which hand do Europeans and Germans wear a wedding ring?

In Europe the situation is a little more complicated. In the western part of the continent, couples wear marriage jewelry on their left hand. And in European countries it is customary to extend your right hand.
If a marriage takes place between loving hearts from different countries, they find a compromise. Most often, they adhere to the traditions of their families, absolutely not worrying that their love will disappear.
If you are interested in the situation in specific countries, then the traditions are quite fascinating. Spaniards, Poles, Norwegians and Germans wear jewelry on their right hand in the registry office. The French, English and Irish wear wedding rings on the left.

Do Russians and Europeans wear it on the same hand?

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.

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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.

On which hand do Russians wear a wedding ring?

Since ancient times, the Slavic peoples have followed the same tradition. Newlyweds, when they got married, presented rings to each other and wore them on their right hands. This custom is quite simple to explain. A person does everything with his right hand: he crosses himself, does household chores, pays for purchases in the store and gives alms.
Our ancestors were convinced that the right hand is dominant. Therefore, newlyweds must wear the “symbol of marriage” on it. Nowadays, a guy puts a ring on his chosen one’s right hand if he proposes marriage to her. Although earlier, engagement jewelry was not common. The groom, wanting to express his attention to his chosen one and express his intention to marry, gave the girl and her family various gifts. For economic reasons, this tradition faded into the background. Now a man just needs to present a girl with a ring to offer her “his hand and his heart.”

On which hand do the Chinese and Japanese wear a wedding ring?

Slavs are often surprised when they see “symbols of love” on the left hand of residents of other countries. Asian countries have quite fascinating traditions.
In China, the fairer sex is considered the leader in relationships. Therefore, after the wedding, she puts a ring on her right hand, and the man wears a wedding ring on his left. In Sri Lanka it's the other way around.

The choice of hand depends on traditions and religion

In Russia

In Russia it is traditionally worn on the right hand. This is due to the fact that the most popular religion in our state is Orthodoxy. According to Orthodox canons, the right side of the human body is responsible for loyalty and honesty, and the left side is sinful. For example, Orthodox Christians cross themselves with their right hand, not their left.

Thus, according to beliefs, wearing marital jewelry on the right hand helps make the marriage stronger. This is confirmed by icons. It is traditionally believed that since a person performs more actions with his right hand: working, preparing food, then it is the wedding ring worn on it that can make its owner happier.

It is worth noting that the tradition of wearing this jewelry existed in Ancient Rus'. However, at that time, decoration could be made not from metal, but literally from improvised means.

Currently, on which hand married women in Russia wear a ring depends not only on their religion. Women may not be Orthodox, but, nevertheless, they prefer to see the symbol of marital fidelity on their right hand.

It's simple: tradition developed under the influence of religion. The same can be said about the customs associated with wedding rings in Ukraine, Belarus and Greece.

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On which hand do Jews wear a wedding ring?

Jews do not have a single ritual that is performed upon marriage. The fact of what faith the newlyweds belong to has an influence. If they believe in the Holy Scriptures and follow the canons of the Torah, then the newlyweds exchange wedding rings and put them on their left ring finger. If the couple corresponds to more modern traditions, then the guy and the girl decide for themselves which side to wear the jewelry.
In ancient times, Jewish men did not wear rings because they considered it inappropriate. But the girl must wear the “symbol of marriage” on her left index finger. This only happens until the end of the marriage. Afterwards, she independently chooses which finger to put the jewelry on. In Jerusalem, during a wedding, the bride puts a wedding ring on her left middle finger.

The origin of the tradition of wearing a wedding ring

The concept of a wedding ring first appeared in ancient times among the Egyptian people. True, their meaning was initially different: with the help of such a ring (which, by the way, used to look like a seal), the pharaoh showed his power, and such rings were passed on from generation to generation.

The concept of a wedding ring first appeared among the Egyptian people

Later, such rings became available to rich people; they showed the status and wealth of a person. Even later, poor people began to wear them. In addition, rings were created from different metals. It is now preferable to use gold, then they were created by others:

Bronze.
Silver.
Copper.

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On which hand do divorced people wear a wedding ring?

If a man and a woman are divorced, then they have every right to remove the wedding ring. Neither etiquette nor religious scriptures say that the “symbol of marriage” must be worn throughout life, even after divorce. A person is allowed to make his own choice.
If you do not want to part with your wedding ring for various reasons (liking, habit or cost of jewelry), then you need to move it to your other hand. That is, if during the wedding you put the ring on your left hand, then after the divorce you need to move it to your left.
Accordingly, if you put the wedding ring on your right hand, then after the divorce you should wear the ring on your left. In some cases, people who are divorced attach the wedding ring to a chain and hang it around their neck. This homemade pendant looks aesthetically pleasing and can be worn with any outfit.
Some couples take the emotional component into account. After all, others may ask unnecessary questions regarding marital status. If you refuse to wear a wedding ring after a breakup, you won't have to feel awkward and explain this to others.

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In Japan

Japan is known as a country with an impressive amount of traditions of its own. They did not ignore the wearing of wedding rings.

Initially, instead of this symbol of marriage, another custom was practiced among married Japanese women - painting tooth enamel black. But for many years, wedding rings have been as popular in Japan as throughout the world, and the tradition of painting teeth is a thing of the past.

However, it is worth noting that busy Japanese do not wear them every day or do not wear them to work. This is due to the fact that the corporate culture of this unique country does not encourage outsiders, including colleagues, to know about a person’s personal information.

However, Japanese women and Japanese wear the symbol of marital fidelity on their left hand. The design of wedding jewelry for residents of this country is laconic and excludes the use of precious stones, but the presence of pearls is acceptable. The Japanese prefer platinum as a material for the product.

Conclusion

Despite cultural differences in marriage customs, jewelry that unites spouses is popular. Each country has its own view on wearing this symbol of love and fidelity, however, in the modern world, young people may not take this tradition so seriously, putting on a wedding ring in the way that is most convenient for them.

Sometimes it completely interferes with work or at home. However, the popularity of a kind and bright symbol of love and fidelity has not declined for hundreds of years. And on which finger to wear it, everyone decides for themselves.

On which hand do widows and widowers wear their wedding ring?

One of the most terrible situations is the loss of a loved one. Therefore, a man or woman who is widowed refuses to stop wearing a wedding ring. This is how they try to express love and respect for their loved one, especially if love, mutual respect and warmth reigned in the family.

If you still decide to wear a wedding ring after the death of your loved one, there are several options for how things might turn out:

a woman who has lost her beloved man puts a “marriage symbol” on her left ring finger;
The widower prefers to put his wife’s ring on a chain, and leaves his own in the same place as during the marriage.

What to do if you lost your husband

Some widows and widowers take their deceased partner's wedding ring to church. It is believed that this gives the deceased peace in the other world.
If you can't figure out what to do with the "marriage symbol" left behind after the death of a loved one, listen to your heart. It will definitely tell you the correct answer.

How to wear an engagement ring correctly?

In Russia, the wedding and engagement rings are worn side by side - on the right ring finger. But this rule does not have to be followed unconditionally. A guy and a girl can cheat on him, according to the customs and traditions of their people.
Some girls immediately after marriage wear an engagement ring on their left hand, and the wedding ring remains on their right. You can often find brides who wear both jewelry side by side. In some cases, girls prefer to constantly wear only the jewelry donated at the registry office, and store the engagement jewelry together with all other jewelry (in a box or special box). Do as you see fit.

Believe it or not

Today, few people believe in omens. Therefore, when putting jewelry on a certain finger, they do not attach any importance to it. More often they are worn to emphasize their wealth, love for luxury and beautiful things. The decoration reflects the psychology and status of the owner, sometimes acting as his talisman. Some believe that it is better to leave the ring finger of the left hand free, but most decorate it with accessories in different qualitative and quantitative variations. As it has been for many years, the ring remains a good gift for a loved one.

How to wear wedding rings?

Most people don't see the difference between an engagement ring and a wedding ring. And this is a big mistake. Wedding jewelry is worn by newlyweds in the registry office, but wedding jewelry is worn in church.
The church charter states that you need to choose the right gifts for a wedding. For the bride it is better to choose items made of silver, and for the groom – from yellow metal (gold). The first option is a symbol of purity and femininity. Gold symbolizes masculinity.
During the wedding, the couple exchanges rings three times. For the last time, they place “symbols of love” on each other’s left ring finger. Give preference to jewelry that has the words of prayer engraved on it. They should not have precious stones on them.

As desired - together or separately
As you can see, there are many different customs and traditions associated with wedding rings. Each country follows its own rituals, but in some cases they can be intertwined. Fortunately, now people have become more modern and less superstitious. Therefore, each couple has the right to decide for themselves what to do.

Interesting articles about rings:

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What to do with your engagement ring after the wedding
Signs about rings
How to remove a ring from your finger
How rings on fingers influence fate

Why do only Russians wear wedding rings on their right hands? Bookmark 5

We in Russia prefer to wear a wedding ring on the right hand, and many foreigners prefer to wear it on the left. What is the difference if both couples love each other?

According to legend, the ring finger is directly connected to the heart, but the choice of hand differs from country to country.

As in any other country, Russian weddings can be different. Some happy couples organize a luxurious banquet, inviting all distant relatives from different parts of the country. At such celebrations, the drinking usually flows like a river and the dancing continues until the morning. Others spend this important day in a small company of their closest people. Some people get married in a church, while others prefer a civil ceremony.

However, there is a ritual that is unchanged at all Russian weddings: the bride and groom exchange wedding rings and put them on each other’s ring finger. This tradition is common all over the world, but in different countries it is a finger of either the left or right hand. Why do Russians prefer the right?

From Rome to Moscow

The custom of wearing wedding rings dates back to very ancient times. The Greek historian Plutarch, who lived in 46-120 AD, noted in his writings that the Egyptians wore wedding rings on the fourth finger of their left hand. The ancients believed that a special vein connected this finger to the heart, which means it symbolizes love and fidelity.

So the Greeks and Romans probably borrowed this tradition from their Egyptian neighbors. But what about the hand? Some researchers believe that the Romans wore a wedding ring on their right hand, since the left was considered bad and unreliable.

The Orthodox Christian Church adopted this custom from the Romans through Byzantium, and then at the time of the baptism of Rus' it came to the territory of modern Russia. That is, in a sense, we can say that the Russians inherited the custom of putting wedding rings on the right hand from Caesar and Cicero.

Different hands, same essence

At the same time, religious differences do not clearly determine the answer to the question of which hand is more suitable for a wedding ring. More precisely, the choice of hand depends not only on religious beliefs, but also on the customs of the country. For example, in Catholic Poland, married people wear rings on their right hands, as in Orthodox Greece.

As for Western European countries and the United States, most residents prefer the left hand, because... it is believed to be closer to the heart. It also happens that a couple puts on one ring during engagement and another during marriage. These rings can be worn on different hands.

In general, it is not so important which hand you wear the ring on; what is much more important is what it symbolizes, namely the purity and constancy of the feelings of two loving people.

Dec 8, 2017Olga