The hand the engagement ring goes on majorly depends on the traditions that set the standards, and they vary geographically. And then, some couples take the non-traditional route, so it can be a bit confusing as to ‘what hand does an engagement ring go on?’. Before we find that out, let’s look at what is engagement all about and the history behind engagement rings…
What Exactly Is an Engagement?
An engagement is a formal commitment and a mutual promise to marry. It demonstrates the couple’s desire to marry and that they are serious about pursuing the lifelong commitment of marriage. The engagement is sealed with an engagement ring that the bride is offered as a symbol of love and commitment.
What does an Engagement Ring Mean?
The custom of giving an engagement ring to declare the promise of marriage to the bride-to-be can be traced back to ancient Rome. Although the engagement ring styles have evolved over time, their significance in uniting two individuals in love remains unchanged.
Traditional engagement rings often have one large centre stone that either stands alone or is flanked by smaller stones. The gemstone or diamond size for engagement ring depends on the couple’s preference and their budget.
The Meaning of the Engagement Ring Finger
Although rings have a history dating back to ancient Rome, Greece and Egypt, diamond engagement rings became only popular in the year 1477. It is when Mary of Burgundy was presented with a diamond ring by Archduke Maximilian of Austria.
His engagement ring choice inspired the trend for more than one reason. A diamond is a symbol of a couple’s undying love and commitment to one another. It is the most durable and toughest naturally occurring substance on Earth, making it the ideal choice to symbolize enduring love and the promise of eternity. Also, it is said that no two diamonds are alike, just as no two love stories are alike.
Although diamonds are a traditional choice, there are no set rules and you can instead opt for gorgeous engagement rings that are studded with coloured gemstones. Kate Middleton, for example, possesses a blue sapphire engagement ring, Jessica Simpson has a red ruby engagement ring and Carrie Underwood has a canary yellow diamond on her engagement ring. From precious gemstone engagement rings to semi-precious gemstone engagement rings studded with opals, aquamarines, pearls and moonstones, there’s a host of non-diamond engagement rings to choose from.
Men’s engagement rings are likewise becoming increasingly popular. Nowadays it’s not unusual to see man-gagement rings on same-sex and opposite-sex couples.
Also Read: When is the Right Time to Buy an Engagement Ring?
What Hand Does an Engagement Ring Go On?
Traditionally, both the engagement and wedding rings are worn together on the fourth finger of the left hand. In terms of stacking them, tradition dictates that the wedding band is worn below the engagement ring to bring both rings closer to your heart.
Also, some brides prefer wearing their engagement ring on one hand and their wedding band on the other, especially if the rings are too different to stack.
The History of the Engagement Ring Finger
The tradition of putting on the engagement ring on the fourth finger of the left hand dates back to ancient times. It was believed that the finger of the ring has a vein that is directed straight to the heart, so the hearts of the lovers, by their rings, would be linked. The early Romans called this the Vena Amoris (Vein of Love).
Naturally, they’d set the ring on that finger that housed the love vein to symbolize the sentiment. Having said that, the current understanding of human anatomy states that all of our fingers have veins connected to the heart. The romantic association of the engagement ring with the vena amoris still holds the same significance and most couples continue to use their left-hand ring finger as the best finger to show their devotion to each other.
How to Wear the Engagement Ring and Wedding band?
Usually, brides move their engagement rings from their left hand onto their right hand, just before the wedding ceremony. The wedding band is then slipped on the left-hand ring finger by the groom and the engagement ring is later worn on top of the band. Others wear the two rings separately – the engagement ring on the right hand while the wedding band on the left hand. Whether you wish to stack both rings on the left hand or wear them separately is entirely up to your cultural and personal preferences.
Different Customs for Wearing an Engagement Ring
In Germany and Austria, it is customary for a woman to wear her engagement ring on her left ring finger. The wedding band must be worn on the right hand. But, in Switzerland, which hand is the engagement ring worn on?
Despite its geographical proximity to Germany and Austria, Switzerland maintains its own set of rules. In Switzerland and certain southern European countries, the engagement ring is worn on the right ring finger, while the wedding band is worn on the left.
Engagement ring traditions across the world –
| Region | Engagement Ring | Wedding & Engagement Ring |
| Austria | Left | Right |
| Croatia | Right | Left |
| Cyprus | Right | Left |
| Italy | Right | Left |
| Bulgaria | Left | Right |
| Germany | Left | Right |
| Netherlands | Right | Left |
| Great Britain | Left | Left |
| Norway | Left | Right |
| Portugal | Right | Left |
| Poland | Left | Right |
| Russia | Left | Right |
| Switzerland | Right | Left |
| Spain | Right | Left |
| Ukraine | Left | Right |
| Turkey | Left | Right |
| USA | Left | Left |
It is preferable to wear the engagement ring in front of the wedding band after the wedding. However, some engagement rings don’t match well with wedding bands. If matching your engagement ring with your wedding band is a concern, you can opt for a bridal set that includes both rings, designed to match and fit perfectly. And if matching bridal sets are not a priority, you can still wear your engagement ring on your left hand after the wedding ceremony, and the wedding band on the right, or vice versa.
All set to shop engagement rings? Consider your preferred stone, your favourite ring style, metal and your engagement ring size to choose the perfect ring for the milestone moment. Once you know how to pick an engagement ring, start shopping for your dream sparkler at least one month in advance.
Not only shopping for engagement rings requires careful consideration but also maintaining one for years to come is equally imperative. If you know how to clean engagement ring at home, you can keep your precious token of love looking brand new forever.
FAQ
Although traditions dictate that the engagement ring should go on the left hand, you are welcome to wear it on your right hand, as it is up to your personal preference.
The tradition of wearing a ring of engagement on the fourth finger of the left hand can be traced back to ancient Roman society. They thought this finger possessed a vein that led straight to the heart, the Vena Amoris, which means ‘vein of love’.
Traditionally, both men and women wear engagement rings on their left-hand fourth finger.
Most women wear engagement and wedding rings on their left hand. They wear them on the fourth finger, which is also called the ‘engagement ring finger’.
In some cultures, the wedding ring belongs on the right-hand ring finger, not the left, especially in countries like Poland, Greece, Colombia and India. Also, in modern times, couples choose to wear the wedding band as per their individual preferences and you might come across brides flaunting their wedding bands on their right hand, instead of left.
