The ring finger, or the fourth finger (counting from the thumb) is widely accepted to be the one that couples wear their engagement or wedding rings on. However, despite this traditional notion, there is some debate as to which hand either of these rings should be worn on.
So, what’s the consensus? If you’re not sure which finger an engagement ring should be worn on, or the rationale behind wearing a wedding ring on the ring finger, we’ve got the answers you’re looking for.
In most cultures around the world, the engagement ring is usually worn on the ring finger of the left hand — the same finger that a wedding ring would be worn on. As a proposal is a prelude to marriage, it makes complete sense that the engagement ring should take the place of a wedding ring, at least until the wedding ceremony itself.
For most couples, the engagement ring is worn by the person that was proposed to, but it should be said that there’s no rule about having only one party wear an engagement ring — an increasing number of couples are choosing to get each other engagement rings and wear them as a sign of their commitment and intention to tie the knot.
More than anything, it’s a nice way of showing a willingness to spend the rest of your life with someone you love.
It’s common knowledge that the wedding ring is worn on the ring finger of the left hand — but not everyone knows why!
The concept of using rings to celebrate marriage goes as far back as the Ancient Roman and Egyptian eras, where it was believed that the ring finger on the left hand was connected directly to the heart by a single vein, which was aptly named ‘vena amoris’ or the ‘vein of love’.
Of course, we now know that every finger has veins that connect to the heart, but that doesn’t make this metaphor any less romantic. It’s one of the reasons why it’s still a big part of tradition in plenty of countries and cultures.
Despite the popular option of wearing a wedding ring on the left hand, there are many countries and cultures across the world where the wedding ring is worn on the right hand.
In countries like India, Germany, Russia, Poland, Norway, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Colombia, Cuba, Peru, and Venezuela, it is custom to wear your wedding rings on the right hand instead.
Cultural traditions aside, however, there are also practical reasons that some individuals have for wearing their wedding ring on the right. For example, those who are left-handed may choose to wear their ring on the right hand to prevent it from getting in the way of their dominant hand when writing or doing other tasks that may expose the ring to bumps or scratches.
So, how are you supposed to wear both an engagement ring and a wedding ring at the same time?
If you’re keen on following tradition, you can wear both rings on the ring finger of the left hand. The wedding ring should be worn first, with the engagement ring sitting on top of the wedding ring. This order places the wedding ring closer to the heart — besides, it’s also considered inauspicious to take a wedding ring off (though it’s just a superstition!).
That said, some rings can’t be easily stacked on top of each other when worn on the same finger, most of the time due to differences in the design of the engagement and wedding rings. This is why some choose to wear them on different fingers, usually by keeping the wedding ring on the ring finger and moving the engagement ring to the other hand’s ring finger.
While traditional norms point to the left hand as the place to wear an engagement or wedding ring, the final decision rests entirely with you — it’s a symbol of the love shared between you and your partner, and what finger is worn on is not as important as the bond it represents.
The only recommendation we’ll make here is that for those who want to wear both their engagement and wedding ring on the same finger, it’s a good idea to choose designs that are compatible with each other. Whether you opt for a classic or contemporary ring style, having your rings match in terms of aesthetics and shape can create a cohesive look that is comfortable enough for everyday wear.
If you would like to create the perfect engagement or wedding ring to represent your love story, explore our stunning collection of custom engagement rings and wedding rings online.
