Why is an Engagement Ring Worn on the Ring Finger?

Engagement rings are traditionally worn on the third finger of the left hand in Western cultures.

Traditionally in Western culture, engagement and wedding rings are worn on the third finger of the left hand. But as is the case with many traditions, though everyone follows it, few people know how it originated, or how it came to be so widespread. There are several historical sources which explain how the tradition came to be.

Ancient Origins

Roman women may have believed that the ring finger had magical properties.

The third finger of the left hand has been known as the "ring finger" since the days of Ancient Rome. The Romans are thought to have believed that a major vein ran all the way from the ring finger to the heart. This vein was nicknamed the "vena amoris," or "vein of love." The finger which held this vein then became the most common choice of finger to wear a wedding ring. Other sources, especially work by the historian Laszlo Magyar, suggest that the ring finger may have become the most common finger to wear rings because of its ancient association with magical properties.

Medieval Wedding Traditions

Many modern wedding traditions stem from medieval Catholic practices.

Another possible origin of the ring finger is the medieval Catholic wedding ceremony. Traditionally, during the ceremony, the bride would be blessed "in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost." During this blessing, the groom would place the ring on each finger of her hand in order, to represent the three persons of the Trinity, beginning on either the thumb or the index finger. Thus, from medieval times on through the 17th century, the ring was traditionally worn on either the third or fourth finger of the left hand, depending on which finger the groom placed the ring on first. Over time, it became more common to use the fourth finger, after the four phrases in the full blessing: "In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, amen."

Origins of the Engagement Ring

While both brides and grooms wear wedding rings, typically only the bride wears an engagement ring.

Engagement rings were initially presented to a potential bride as a gift from her future husband, to prove that he was wealthy and could afford to provide for her. The gift of a valuable piece of jewelry also ensured the bride's financial stability; if she was divorced or widowed, she could sell her ring in order to provide for herself. The engagement ring usually doubled as the wedding ring after the ceremony. However, as it became more common for both the bride and the groom to wear wedding rings, the engagement ring became a separate gift, and is now usually worn in addition to a wedding band. Both rings are typically worn on the same finger, and may be purchased as part of a set.

Modern Engagement Traditions

Most women wear both an engagement and a wedding ring.

The engagement ring today is traditionally a diamond. The tradition of the diamond ring has little historical significance, and is most commonly traced to a DeBeers Jewelry marketing campaign near the turn of the century. Engagement rings are worn throughout the period of betrothal prior to the wedding. They are generally either presented at the time of the marriage proposal, or purchased shortly afterward. While engagement rings are usually only worn by brides, there has lately been a trend of male engagement rings. The engagement ring is always worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, and is usually worn along with the wedding ring after marriage.

Non-Western Traditions

Indian women often wear engagement rings on the right hand.

While the wedding ring is a common tradition through many world cultures, most non-Western cultures vary widely on which finger the ring is worn on. Greek Orthodox women use the engagement ring to double as a wedding ring after the marriage; during the ceremony they move it from the left hand to the right. Many cultures also consider the left hand to be unlucky, and therefore wear engagement and wedding rings on the right hand instead.

References

• KaiSilver: Ring Finger Meaning and Significance
• OurMarriage: Why the Third Finger, Left Hand?