On which hand is a wedding ring worn?
Miscellaneous / / April 02, 2023
Most of the time it depends on the religion. But in some countries there are exceptions.
On which hand do representatives of different religions wear a wedding ring?
- Most Orthodox Christians wear the ring on the ring finger of their right hand. Since ancient times, the ring was considered a symbol of power, which was used to fasten documents. They signed them, as a rule, with the right hand, so they began to put on a decoration that holds the marriage together. In addition, in Orthodoxy it is believed that it is behind the right shoulder that the guardian angel stands.
- Catholics and Protestants put the ring on the ring finger of the left hand. It is believed that it is located closer to the heart and is connected with it by a thin thread.
- In Islam, there is no clear tradition of wearing wedding rings. Newlyweds can do without these decorations. Or put them on not during the marriage registration itself, but after all the ceremonial events. At the same time, you can wear the ring both on the right and on the left hand - there are no strict rules on this matter.
- In Judaism, the ring is worn on the ring finger of the left hand. However, some adhere to the ancient wedding tradition. During marriages the groom puts the ring on the bride's index or middle finger. According to the Jews, this place is more “prominent”, which means that the wife will more often notice the ring on her hand and remember her status, and those around her will understand that the woman is married.
On which hand is a wedding ring worn in different countries
On the right hand, the ring is worn in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Serbia, Greece, Kyrgyzstan, Iceland and some provinces of Spain. And so do some residents of Argentina, Venezuela, Chile, Peru, Norway and Denmark, despite the fact that they profess mainly Catholicism. Couples in the Netherlands and Germany often do the same. In India, the left side of the body is considered "unclean", so the wedding ring is worn on the right hand.
In most countries of Europe, North and South America, as well as in Japan, China, Israel, Australia and New Zealand, the ring is worn on the left hand. They do the same in some Muslim countries - for example, in Turkey, Azerbaijan, Syria and Iran. Although Armenia is considered an Orthodox country, its inhabitants wear wedding rings on their left hand and, like Catholics, assure that it is closer to the heart.
And in Korea and in most Muslim countries there are no strict rules for wearing wedding rings, so the newlyweds themselves choose which hand to wear a wedding accessory on.
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Text worked on: author Victoria Kuracheva, editor Alina Mashkovtseva, proofreader Elena Gritsun