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While you don’t see it too often, some people do choose to wear wedding bands on their right ring finger. There are several main reasons why one would choose to wear a ring on your right hand instead of your left, and maybe you want to give it a shot. If you’re thinking about putting your ring on your right hand, here are the basics of it all.
Browse Our Collection of Wedding Rings HereA Brief Overview of Rings Throughout History
The tradition of wearing wedding rings dates back thousands of years, with evidence of ring exchanges in ancient Egyptian, Roman and Greek cultures. Throughout history, people have chosen to wear rings on different fingers based on traditions, personal style and symbolic meanings. While the left ring finger is the most common placement for matrimonial jewelry in Western countries, the right hand has its own rich history and significance in ring-wearing traditions.
Many people don’t realize that deciding to wear a ring on your right ring finger versus your left hand carries different meanings. The symbolism behind ring placement has evolved throughout time, creating fascinating traditions that continue to influence jewelry choices today.
Why Do We Call It a Ring Finger Anyway?
Well, there are a couple of theories about this. The first and most common comes from the belief that Ancient Romans thought the fourth finger on the left hand had a vein connected to the heart. Also known as the vena amoris, or “vein of love,” the Romans thought that the ring finger connected to the heart. While quite romantic, they were entirely wrong. Still sweet, though.
The other option is a little less romantic. It was believed in the ancient world that wearing rings on your left ring finger would prevent ailments. It was also believed that you could let blood from that specific finger cure ailments. This is why, at least for a time, the ring finger was referred to also as the “leech finger.” Less romantic, we know.
Now, why do people wear a ring on their right finger? We’ve broken down all the possible reasons below.
Option 1: Engagement
While the left ring finger is the most common place to wear an engagement ring in Western cultures, some couples choose to wear it on the right, instead. This isn’t terribly common, but it does happen from time to time. Sometimes, people wear their engagement rings on their right hand before switching to their left hand to join their wedding band after getting married. It does seem to be more popular with engagement rings than wedding rings as well as more popular among men than women. Some guys wear their engagement ring on their right hand and their wedding on their left, but it’s not the most common option.
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Option 2: It’s Cultural
There are several countries out there where the right ring finger is actually the default ring finger, unlike the left hand in the West. Belgium, Portugal, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Austria, among several others, all wear their wedding rings traditionally on their right hand instead of the left. In many Nordic cultural traditions, both partners wear simple gold bands on their right hands while engaged and then transfer them to their left hands during the wedding, symbolizing the transition from “engaged” to “married.” If you see someone wearing a right-hand ring, there’s a good chance there is a cultural reason behind it.
Option 3: It’s Just a Personal Choice
This is probably the most common one. Some people just like the look, so they wear their ring on their right hand. It can be stylistic or can symbolize some deeper meaning. In fact, there’s actually some symbolism behind wearing a ring on each one of your fingers. Of course, you can always wear your wedding ring on your left ring finger as well as rings on other fingers to symbolize certain values while reflecting your relationship status.
Read Our Ultimate Guide on Ring SymbolismSome people choose to skip the ring finger altogether, opting to wear a ring on their middle finger instead. Being the longest and most prominent finger, the middle finger represents responsibility, balance and self-awareness. Wearing a ring on this finger could represent confidence or a strong sense of justice, or it could be a simple style statement. Many people wear thumb rings and pinky rings as fashion statements, too.
Option 4: It’s a Promise Ring
This is an option that’s gaining some traction as of late. Promise rings are often worn on the right ring finger (though there’s no hard and fast rule about it). If you see someone wearing a simple ring on their right ring finger, there’s a decent chance that it’s a promise ring, especially if the wearer is relatively young.
Option 5: Professional Reasons Make the Right Hand More Practical
Sometimes, there is no special meaning, and people choose which finger or hand to wear rings on based on practical reasons. Folks who work with their hands often find that wearing rings on their dominant hand interferes with daily tasks. So, if someone is left-handed, they might wear their rings on their right hand as a matter of practicality, convenience or comfort.
Going Beyond Traditional Ring Meanings
Rings extend far beyond wedding jewelry. Birthstone rings featuring gemstones corresponding to birth months are popular gifts for milestone birthdays, and they’re commonly worn on the right hand. Likewise, memorial rings worn to honor deceased loved ones frequently live on the right hand to keep memories close without interfering with wedding jewelry worn on the left hand. Professional achievement rings and those associated with social status — like class rings and military service rings — are often worn on the right hand, too, though some have specific placement traditions. Signet rings, rings bearing family crests and many other types of rings traditionally call fingers other than the left hand ring finger home.
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Rings are deeply personal items, so the meaning behind wearing a ring on your right hand may vary greatly. However, these five reasons do seem to be some of the most popular. As jewelry traditions continue to evolve, many people create their own meaningful practices for when and how they wear rings. Whether you choose the left ring finger to indicate your marital status or the right hand for personal or cultural reasons, the most important thing is the meaning you assign to your jewelry. So, wear your ring with pride — no matter which hand or finger you choose to display it on.