Why Do We Wear Our Wedding Ring On Our Left Hand?

Are you on the lookout for a special ring for a special someone? If you’ve been sneakily trying to get their ring size, you may have wondered why it has to be the left ring finger on which the band must be placed. You might have even wondered if the band has to go on the left hand at all.

We wanted to take some time to explore the tradition of wearing the engagement and wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand and let you know all about the origins too.

Find your forever diamond with Diamonds International and secure a stunning piece of jewellery for your sweetheart.

The Origins Of The Tradition

The ancient Romans believed that the fourth finger of the left hand had a vein that ran directly to the heart and so chose to wear the ring as a symbol of love on this finger.

Modern medicine has, of course, dispelled this myth, and we now know that there’s no such vein.

In some countries, such as Russia and Colombia, the ring finger of the right hand is a more popular choice for married couples.

Wedding Rings And Traditions

The wedding ring is a tradition which historians dated back to Egypt almost 5,000 years ago. In many cultures, rings have been used to symbolise love because the ring is a symbol of eternity.

It has no beginning or end. It’s a symbol of love and dedication usually exchanged during a wedding ceremony. A wedding ring is not a ring that has any particular style attached to it.

• Many couples choose to match the wedding band to the engagement band and like to have a ring that can be worn alone or as part of a wedding set.
• You can choose to use a simple wedding band or can opt for a more elaborate wedding band which has precious gems included in its design.
• You might like to choose to have a message which is precious to you included as part of the wedding band, either on the inside or on the exterior.

Engagement Rings

The engagement ring is a more recent development which has appeared as a means for the wedding couple to showcase their commitment to each other.

The use of diamonds as part of the engagement set is a relatively new occurrence – one of the first uses of a diamond took place in 1477 when Archduke Maximilian of Austria commissioned a diamond ring for his betrothed.

Thus, sparking a trend among the European aristocrats for diamond engagement rings.

• Diamonds are an enduring symbol of love and eternity, but there are many other options for engagement rings, which are available to couples looking to wed.
• You have a range of cuts and styles available to you with your engagement ring, and for many couples, it’s common for the parties to shop for their ring together (while others prefer the surprise!)

It used to be a tradition that the male in the couple would propose to the female, with the woman wearing the engagement ring.

But plenty of women have proposed to their man, and with same sex marriage now legalised in Australia we are welcoming many happy couples who both have matching engagement rings, or who propose to each other!

The Order Of The Rings On Your Finger

On your wedding day, you’re going to be wearing your engagement ring, but for many women, they like to switch their engagement ring to their right hand – just for the walk down the aisle.

That way, their beloved can slide their wedding ring onto their left hand, and then you can slip your engagement ring back on top of it.

• Most people like to wear their wedding band closest to their heart, so first on their finger.
• After you’ve been married, you can wear your rings in whatever order you like, so long as it suits you.

At Diamonds International, we have a range of diamond engagement and wedding ring sets available to couples who are looking for a traditional, or non-traditional take on their engagement set.

Shop Your Stunning Rings Today

Whether you’re looking for a beautiful engagement ring to celebrate your love together for eternity, or if you’re searching for a stunning eternity ring to show your forever love how much they still mean to you, Diamonds International has something for you.

Shop your stunning engagement, wedding, and eternity bands here and find the perfect gift or ring to show your love how much they mean to you. For more information on rings or eternity bands, call Diamonds International today on 07 3221 3677.