Can I wear my wedding ring on the ring finger of my right hand?
This is a common concern for left-handed people and those who play a musical instrument such as a guitar.
As it turns out, wedding rings may be worn on the right hand.
The custom of wearing the wedding ring on the ring finger of the left hand has a history but it is only an afterthought, so not a strict rule.
Each of the ten fingers has a different meaning. This article explains the different meanings depending on the position of the ring and why it is acceptable to wear the wedding ring on the ring finger of the right hand.
Even if you have never wondered about wearing it on the ring finger of the left hand, you may discover something new.
Reasons to wear your wedding ring on the ring finger of your left hand
The wedding ring is said to have originated in the ancient Roman period, began in 753 BC. However, wedding rings at this time were not a romantic pledge of love.
There were no rules regarding the finger on which the ring was to be worn until 1614, when the Book of Roman Ritual clearly stated that "the wedding ring should henceforth be worn on the left hand”.
Then why was it placed on the ring finger? There are several theories and it is not known exactly, but the following reasons are speculated.
Customary reasons
In Europe, the right hand once represented the male and the left hand the female, with the right hand symbolizing justice and the left hand the devil.
This belief led to the idea that a wedding ring on a woman's left hand would seal the evil forces and hold her heart together. This practice spread throughout the world and has continued to the present day.
The seal ring, which is used like a modern stamp, has existed since BC, and medieval people used the ring to make a contract.
It was probably easy to accept to use a ring for a wedding, which can be said it is a kind of contract.
It is not clear when the wedding ring became a symbol of love as it is today, but there is a theory that the ring finger of the left hand was thought to be connected to the heart (i.e., emotion), and thus changed from a dominant idea to a symbol of affection.
Influenced by this perception, the custom of wearing the wedding ring on the ring finger of the left hand took root in Japan as the culture of wearing rings spread after the Meiji period.
The ring finger of the left hand is the least moved in daily life
Since most humans are right-handed, the ring finger of the left hand is said to be the least used finger. In fact, if you actually move your finger, you will realize that it is difficult to move.
It was convenient for wearing wedding rings because it was the finger that was not used, so it does not interfere, and it was less likely to scratch the precious ring.
In the 13th century England, the ring was worn on the middle finger of the right hand, but over time it was replaced by the ring finger of the left hand, again probably due to convenience.
Because the ring finger of the left hand is often used for exchanging rings at a wedding
As mentioned above, the Book of Roman Rituals states that "the wedding ring should be worn on the left hand from now on," and in accordance with this, the exchange of rings in Japan is generally done on the ring finger of the left hand.
However, the exchange of rings is not essential to the wedding ceremony itself. If you do not wish to wear the ring on the ring finger of your left hand for some reason, try consulting with your wedding planner.
Meaning of the position of the fingers
On the right and left hands, the ten fingers have meanings. The thumb is said to symbolize power and leadership, the index finger symbolizes action, the middle finger symbolizes sixth sense, the ring finger symbolizes love and imagination, and the little finger attracts luck, and it is said that wearing a ring on each finger will give you those power.
The left and right fingers also have slightly different meanings.
Thumb
Right hand: said to be the finger of leadership. Symbolizes leadership.
Left hand: the finger that symbolizes action and realization. It is also said to be the finger of conviction.
Index finger
Right hand: It is said to increase concentration and encourage action. It also has the meaning of leadership, as it points the way for people to go.
Left hand: Said to encourage positive action.
Middle finger
Right hand: This finger stimulates the sixth sense and aids inspiration.
Left hand: It is said to enhance cooperativeness.
Ring finger
Right hand: said to calm the mind and enhance creativity.
Left hand: symbolizes love and is said to strengthen bonds.
Little finger
Right hand: This is the finger that brings out your charm. Sometimes a ring is worn to ward off evil.
Left hand: This is the finger of wishful thinking and is also said to bring opportunities.
For rings with stones, consider the meaning of the gemstones
If you wear a ring with a stone in it, pay attention to the meaning of the stone too.
For example, aquamarine is said to be a stone that gives artistic talent. Wearing an aquamarine ring on the middle finger of your right hand when doing creative work may have a synergistic effect.
The position of the ring varies depending on the country or religion
In Japan, wedding rings are worn on the ring finger of the left hand as a matter of course, but on a global scale, it seems that this is not the norm.
In Europe, there is a tendency to wear it on the right hand in countries with high latitudes, such as Norway, Poland, and Ukraine.
In Germany, engagement rings are worn on the left hand and wedding rings on the right. This is because the right hand has the meaning of justice and is believed to lead to happiness.
In China, many people wear their wedding rings on their right hand because the ring finger of the right hand has the meaning of married.
In India, some Hindu women wear a toe ring, also called a bicchiya, on the index finger of both feet. It is considered a symbol of marriage and is said to never be removed for life.
In Russia, wedding rings are worn on the ring finger of the right hand, as it is customary for those who have separated from their partners due to divorce or bereavement to wear the ring on the ring finger of the left hand.
In Islam, the left hand is considered the unclean hand, so the wedding ring is worn on the ring finger of the right hand or, for some strict Muslims, never worn.
In Christianity, even though the denomination is the same it is difficult to generalize since it varies from country to country, for example, Austria wears it on the ring finger of the right hand and France on the ring finger of the left hand. It is often worn on the left hand for Catholics and on the right hand for Protestants.
Thus, if you look around the world, you will see that it is not necessary to stick to the left hand ring finger.
Wedding rings are a sign of commitment that has been passed down from generation to generation. It is a form of "heart" created by people who want to convey their love, a feeling that cannot be shown or touched, to their partner somehow.
Since what is important is the heart of one's partner, wedding rings can be worn anywhere, as long as there are no religious reasons.
Make the ring in a size assuming which finger it will be worn
If you do not wear a ring on the ring finger of your left hand, make the ring in the correct size for the finger on which you wear it.
It is important to note that finger sizes are different on the right and left hands.
Although finger sizes appear to be the same on the left and right hands, when measured, many people find that they are surprisingly different. Generally, the dominant hand tends to be larger in size.
The circumference of the base of the finger is a good indicator of size, but it is recommended to try a sample because the ring may get caught at the joint and not fit.
Stores usually have a ring gauge, which measures the size of your finger, so ask them to measure it for you.
The width of the ring will also affect the size, so if you want to wear a thick ring with a width of more than 5 mm, consult with the store staff.
Some stores may have ring gauges made for thick rings.
If you are prone to swelling, the size will vary depending on your menstrual cycle and time of day. If you have a ring that you usually wear, you will know your current finger condition. Determine the size that is neither too small nor too large.
In addition, even with the same size, the shape of the ring will affect how comfortable it is to wear.
If the ring is rounded on the inside corner where it touches the finger, go for a smaller size. If the ring is wide and has a rectangular flat cross-section, choose a larger size.
Some people wear it as a necklace
For those who cannot wear the ring for work or who are uncomfortable with rings, rings can be threaded through a chain to make a necklace.
A thin type of ring is recommended, as a ring that is too wide will be too heavy and may move and may interfere when you exercise.
If it is a custom-made ring, you can have it designed on the premise that it will be worn as a necklace.
To summarize
The position of the ring differs from country to country and culture to culture.
Nevertheless, there must be a reason that the culture of wedding rings has been inherited without disappearing. Whether it is worn on the right or left hand is not the essence of the culture. Keep each other's feelings in mind and wear your wedding rings in the way that is best for both of you.
