Who wears a wedding ring on his right hand. On which hand do men wear a wedding ring? How to wear a wedding ring
Wedding rings from time immemorial are a true symbol of love and unconditional fidelity. Often they are credited with magical abilities and many traditions are associated with them. The solemn exchange of rings during the wedding ceremony takes place in thousands of countries and nationalities, but a natural question arises on which finger women and men wear a wedding ring.
The meaning of the marriage ring
There are several versions of what a wedding ring means, this is primarily determined by the culture of a particular people. . In ancient times, the young bridegroom brought expensive jewelry his beloved, thereby making it clear to her family that he could well provide for her.
Another version says that during the exchange of rings, the spouses swore in sincere and immortal love. The ring was a symbol of infinity.
Also, according to one version, the rings were considered the personification of the links of the chain, which forever connected the union of husband and wife.
Rules for wearing marital jewelry
Historians and archaeologists have found the first wedding jewelry during regular excavations in Egypt. The nobility wore rich accessories made of precious and very expensive metals, and ordinary people used iron rings.
The ancient sages insisted that the marriage ring should be worn exclusively on the left hand. This is due to the fact that there is a nerve in the ring finger that leads directly to the heart. Therefore, this particular finger has been ringed since ancient times.
Previously, there were even countries in which the ring was worn on the thumb. Of course, it all depends on the people and their culture. The hand on which the jewelry is put on is also strictly defined by religion person.
Ringing of Orthodox Christians
Orthodox Christians are sure that everything related to the right side of the body is correct. In Christian countries it is customary to wear wedding rings exclusively on the ring finger right hand. This is about:
- Ukraine,
- Belarus,
- Greece,
- Russia.
At the same time, widows and widowers must change the ring on their left hand.
Rules for wearing a ring among Muslims
According to the traditions of Muslims, marital jewelry is supposed to be worn on the left hand. But this only applies to women. It is not customary for Eastern men to wear gold jewelry. Moreover, they consider it a manifestation of bad taste. A Muslim man either does not wear a ring at all, or puts on silver jewelry.
Native Traditions of the Catholic Faith
Protestants and Catholics wear wedding bands on their left hands. They explain this by her close disposition to the heart. They firmly believe that the energy of love will help a married couple live for many years in peace, harmony and sincere love.
How and where else to wear a ring
Residents of many countries and cities wear a marital jewel on the ring finger of their left hand. In other countries, everything is different. For example, European women like to put a ring on their index finger, gypsies hang it on a chain.
The question may arise as to which hand the ring is worn by married women and Armenian men, because they do not apply only to the Christian faith or exclusively to Catholics. It is customary for this people, after all, to wear an important accessory for a spouse on the left hand, because supposedly the energy of love flows through it, which is able to save the family in difficult moments.
Oddly enough, but not all married and married Catholics wear a ring on the left. For example, married Spaniards and Norwegians, as well as Jews, wear it on their right hand.
In Russia, traditions say to wear a ring on the right hand. This is supported by Georgians, Greeks, Poles and other nations. By the way, the engagement ring in Russia is put on any hand. Some the fair sex wear it on the left, and many people prefer to wear it with a marital ring.
If you are interested in which hand an engagement ring is worn in a particular country, you can read this information on the net.
Wearing a ring on special occasions
The ringed ring finger on the hand is not only evidence of marriage. The ring can be worn during the divorce of a couple, and even during widowhood. But this is done according to certain rules.
Divorce of a married couple
It happens that a couple comes to the decision to divorce. How to wear a ring in such a situation, and is it worth doing it at all? Usually spouses simply stop wearing their wedding jewelry.
Where to put your ring after a divorce is everyone's decision. Many take it to a pawnshop, and many regret it and keep it. But in any case, you should not give away such an accessory, and even more so ring your next spouse with it.
Women very often after a divorce simply transfer the ring to the opposite hand and it serves them as a decoration. But there are many signs for which this is not recommended. First of all, this accessory will constantly remind a woman of her past life and prevent her from starting from scratch.
There is also a certain opinion about wearing someone else's ring. It is believed that any decoration, like clothing, carries some kind of human energy and conveys trouble. If it did not remain on a person’s finger and did not bring him happiness, then it is unlikely to make another person happy. That is why it is not recommended to give and accept as a gift someone else's engagement ring.
Death of a husband or wife
After the death of a spouse, it is customary for any people to change the marital jewelry on the opposite hand. So people show their loyalty to their loved one, even despite his death. Sometimes one of the spouses wears both jewelry, thereby talking about their eternal connection.
Undoubtedly, each person decides for himself whether it is worth continuing to wear an engagement ring.
Wedding rings and signs
Marriage rings for many are the magical personification of marriage bonds. Of course, there are many beliefs and folk signs associated with them:
Engagement ring for the bride
For a couple in love, after the matchmaking, there is the most beautiful ceremony - the engagement. A man asks for the hand of his beloved from her parents. At the same time, it is customary for the groom to give his chosen one a beautiful ring, which is called an engagement ring.
Some girls wear it on the right hand, others on the left hand. Most of the time it's on the right. After marriage, it is either put on the opposite hand, or together with the wedding band. It is good when they are combined in material and texture.
In Western countries, after the wedding, they no longer wear it and keep it as family heirloom, passing on to their children or grandchildren. The Germans put the engagement jewelry on the finger of the left hand and after the wedding ceremony they change clothes on the right hand.
Engagement jewelry should be worn at all times and protected until the wedding day. It represents a symbol of happiness, love and family. There is a belief that his loss will lead to the breakup of the couple.
In fact, an engagement ring after marriage can be worn absolutely on any finger of any hand, because this is not a wedding ring. On which finger to wear an engagement ring is a matter of national traditions and faith.
Wedding traditions should be followed, because No wonder they are passed down from generation to generation.. After all, in any case, family happiness is only in the hands of the spouses. Family happiness can only be built on mutual love, loyalty and respect.
When making a new acquaintance, a man or woman often stops looking at the interlocutor's fingers: by the hand on which they wear a wedding ring, you can determine whether they are married. However, it should be taken into account that traditions of wearing a particular wedding symbol may vary in different countries. Somewhere the custom of using a wedding ring as an attribute of fidelity has been completely abolished, while residents of other states attach special importance to it.
What is an engagement ring
Not every piece of jewelry has a special place in a person's life. The wedding ring symbolizes fidelity to the beloved spouse, with whom a long and happy future is planned. As a sign of consent to become a wife, the girl accepts the engagement ring chosen by him with love from her future husband. After the marriage is concluded, the engagement ring will take its place on the hand.
Traditionally, it should be smooth: according to popular belief, this saves the spouses from minor troubles in life. However modern newlyweds choose an engagement attribute, guided solely by their own taste. Currently, any metals are in demand. Silver, platinum and white gold are replacing gold jewelry.
History of wedding rings
Opinions about the origin of the symbol of infinity and the fidelity of the spouses to each other differ. Some attribute the emergence of the tradition to the inhabitants of ancient Greece, while others tend to assume that the custom was not fixed without the participation of the ancient Egyptians. The inhabitants of Egypt own the assertion that the thinnest nerve follows from the ring finger to the heart. This fact became the reason for wearing a wedding ring on the finger closest to the little finger. The very tradition of exchanging marriage symbols appeared in ancient times, and initially reed was used instead of metal.
Which hand wear wedding rings
People from different countries have their own customs. Often they are opposite to foreign ones. Why a wedding ring is worn on the right hand or, conversely, the left hand is preferred, can only be found out by understanding the culture of a particular country. The traditions of Ancient Rus' or modern Russia, for example, differ from those that are close to a resident of Turkey, Israel or an Armenian. Many of them, concerning the wearing of wedding rings, have a religious connotation: the customs of Orthodox Christians do not coincide with those adopted in Catholic countries.
Orthodox
In addition to opinions about only religious motives for the fact that Orthodox newlyweds put on a wedding band on their right hand, there are facts that indicate that this custom belongs to the history of Rus'. Since ancient times, it was believed that the symbol of fidelity to the spouse should be worn on the hand with which important documents are signed and deals are concluded. This indicates the seriousness of the intentions of people entering into marriage. During the wedding ceremony, the rings, on the contrary, are worn on the left hand. In addition, they should be different: the wife has silver, and the husband has gold.
Muslims
It is often difficult for a resident of an eastern country to understand the customs of Russians. Remembering which hand Muslims wear a wedding ring on, it is not easy to come to a consensus. The tradition of exchanging rings has nothing to do with Islam and the culture of Muslim countries. However, in imitation of Western customs, these pieces of jewelry are sometimes worn on the left or right hand. It is important to observe the fundamental laws of Islam. Women are allowed to wear jewelry made of any metal, while men are forbidden to wear gold items.
Catholics
Denoting marital status with visual attributes is customary in most countries, but there are a number of differences in this matter. Catholics believe that the world owes the emergence of the tradition of putting on wedding attributes to the ancient Egyptians, who found the so-called vein of love at the left hand. Catholic bishops, despite beliefs, wear a ring on the right ring finger. Ordinary residents of countries professing Catholicism believe in the story of a vein passing to the heart and consider the left hand suitable for a wedding ring. This is done, as with the Orthodox, in order to show fidelity to the spouse.
Jews
If you delve into the Jewish traditions associated with wedding decorations, you can learn a lot of interesting things. This applies not only to which hand the Jews wear the wedding ring on, but also which finger is chosen. According to the laws, a man must consecrate his future wife with a round ornament. During the wedding ceremony, the groom puts a ring on the bride's index finger of his right hand. Also, according to Jerusalem customs, one can give preference to the middle one. In everyday wear, the attributes of the marriage of both spouses are moved to the left hands.
Where is the wedding ring worn?
Differences can be seen depending on which way certain pieces of jewelry are worn in a country. If you see someone with a wedding ring on their left hand or, conversely, on their right hand, this does not necessarily mean that a person belongs to a particular religion. The reason may be quite different. Divorce or the death of a loved one forces people to remove this jewelry or put it on the other hand.
married women
Having decided to get married, lovers rarely think about where married people wear a ring. However, it is an important symbol. When proposing to a girl, the groom presents her with an engagement ring, which she wears until the wedding. After marriage, it is combined with an engagement ring or put on another finger. When choosing a hand, it is better to refer to the customs of wearing this product in your country. Somewhere the right hand is traditionally chosen, and somewhere it is customary to wear the attribute of marriage on the left. The finger for the product may be suitable ring, middle or index.
married men
Getting a young man to wear jewelry can sometimes be difficult, and the engagement ring is somewhat of an exception here, although men also allow themselves to remove this item from time to time. This happens not because of the desire to hide marital status, but, often, only as a result of inconvenience. By the end of the eighteenth century, looking at a man's hand, one could understand what phase of a relationship a person was in.
If a man was an ardent opponent of marriage, then the ring flaunted on his little finger. Those who wished to find a good match should put the jewelry on the index finger, and in case of unpreparedness for a relationship, choose the middle one. A guy in love wore a ring on his ring finger, and in some countries his place after marriage was replaced by an engagement ring. The choice of hand is a matter exclusively of local traditions. For married Russians, the ring, as a rule, flaunts on the right hand.
divorced
It happens that at some point the spouses decide to go their separate ways and let each other go. Is it worth it to continue to wear a wedding ring, a moot point. If you are planning to start life from scratch, then you should not take luggage from the past with you. The symbol of allegiance has depreciated, and wearing it does not make sense. However, if you have warm memories of your ex-spouse and the ring is dear to you as a memory - wear it! As a rule, divorced people wear a ring on the opposite hand.
Widows and widowers
The death of a loved one at any age is a huge personal tragedy that is very difficult to endure. The wedding ring plays a dual role in this situation: it helps to survive the loss and, at the same time, it evokes memories that make it even more painful. Widowed spouses wear the product on the opposite hand: in Russia and Orthodox countries - on the left, in Catholic countries - on the right. In some cases, the ring of the deceased spouse is also put on, although there is an opinion that it is better to take it to the church in order to allow the deceased to find peace.
How to wear a wedding ring
An aesthetic view of jewelry also exists. It may play a role in choosing which hand to wear the wedding ring on, but more often it is custom.
Or at exit registration as a sign of consent to become husband and wife.
Most often, wedding rings are paired, just different sizes, but this is not necessary.
Traditionally, smooth rings are bought, without decorative elements. This is convenient from a practical point of view, since the rings are always on the hand and it is important that they never touch. Most often, these rings are made of white or yellow gold.
wedding rings- those rings that are exchanged in . Most often now they use their wedding bands for this.
On which finger of which hand can a wedding ring be worn?
Wedding rings are worn on the ring finger. In the Orthodox tradition, the right hand, in the Catholic tradition on the left hand.
On which hand to wear an engagement ring after the wedding
There are no clear recommendations. Most often, on the day of the wedding, the engagement ring is changed to the middle finger of the hand. And then they leave it there. But there are options for wearing the engagement ring on the same ring finger, where it was before, but now together with the engagement ring.
But there is an option to ring the ring finger on the second hand with it, thus covering both "veins of love"
Wedding ring - what should it be?
Wedding, wedding or engagement ring?
In Russia, it has long been customary to consider weddings, weddings and betrothals to be related concepts, almost identical, even if they have different meanings. More recently, the concept of “engagement” was added to this list, which came to us from the West (you can learn about this in our separate article), people often get confused between such meanings.
So, betrothal is a church tradition, similar to engagement. It has long been canceled the concept that the engagement ring was present, which will be separate from what was present at the wedding, this happened back in the 18th century. In this period, the wedding was officially combined with the betrothal. Since that time, one pair of rings is enough, which the couple exchanged at the wedding (a little later - in the registry office, at a secular wedding). And even more so, the concept of "wedding ring" is entrenched in history, even if it is a wedding ring for us. Not easy, right? But these are traditions, what can you argue with. But here is a modern ring for a wedding ceremony, how should it be?
Classic yellow gold engagement ring.
For a long period of time, the form and material of the wedding ring remained traditional - a rim of smooth gold. Unless its top could change. Today you can find a fairly large selection of rings. You can find rings of various alloys, sizes and shapes. The choice of their color can also depend on your desire.
But the classic remains the most popular - a smooth, yellow rim, which traditionally has no decorations. In addition, rings that have bright and noticeable jewelry made of precious stones are quite popular. Now, rings made of metal alloys of different colors are gaining popularity. Their design can have two different parts of the ring, which are combined into one - a sort of symbolism. There are also tricolor rings made of different metals and colors. Engraving remains timeless, and is very popular even today. The wedding date, a declaration of love, or phrases that are important only to the two of you are applied to the rings.
What metal to use for a wedding ring? What is gold proof?
The standard version of the ring is made of gold. Usually not pure gold but gold alloys. It is about the part of pure gold in the alloy that they talk about when they talk about the sample of this noble metal. Traditionally, 585 gold is the most common.
That is, 1 gram of such gold contains 58.5% pure gold and 41.5 percent of other metals.
What is red gold, yellow gold and lemon gold?
In the USSR, and then in the CIS countries, copper is traditionally added, from which the color of gold becomes a little more red. In European countries, it is customary to add silver, and from it the color of gold is more lemon.
What is white gold?
There is also the so-called "white gold" Now " White gold» is usually an alloy of gold and palladium.
White gold is often used as inserts in yellow gold items. It is understood that in such gold there is still a yellow tint. To give a mirror-like white surface, gold is plated with rhodium.
And it is important to understand that when choosing such a rhodium-plated ring, you should expect that the coating will quickly get scratched and lose its original luster. Yes, of course, it can then be corrected in almost any jewelry workshop, but these are additional costs.
Silver wedding rings
Silver is considered the most accessible and pleasant-looking materials, but it is worth considering the hardness of this material - over time, it may lose its original appearance. Also, this material is able to change from the influence of various factors, for example, from sea water, and simply from washing dishes, it can darken.
Platinum wedding rings
If, nevertheless, you want white wedding rings, then platinum rings will be an excellent solution in this case, it does not change its natural appearance, although it costs several times more than gold.
What width to use rings: thin or wide?
When you are choosing an engagement ring, think about this: the width is very important, because it should fit you. Do not be shy when choosing a ring in a store, try on a large number of options, with a shank of different heights. Rings that have a wide and slightly convex frame look quite attractive, but in practical wear they can cause inconvenience. Who likes to constantly feel the ring with a clenched finger? Also think about whether you are going to wear more rings on your hand, because many do. The width of the wedding ring should allow free placement of additional jewelry.
Wedding rings with precious stones
If you are a gem lover and would like to have one on your ring, consider designing it. A ring or stone that is too large can cause further discomfort by clinging to fabric or other objects. That is why it is not recommended to choose rings with many protruding elements. A good solution would be an individual order of the ring, which will allow you to accurately guess the size of the product and its shape. And if you are lucky enough to become the owner of jewelry inherited from grandparents, it is better to use them, only adjusting the size a little at the jeweler.
IMPORTANT! pay special attention to the fastening of stones. Often (especially small diamonds) are fixed very poorly and can be lost.
Should I choose the rings together, or is it better separately?
When choosing wedding rings, pay attention to your taste. If it differs from the preferences of your chosen one, feel free to choose the rings that you like best. It is not necessary to have identical rings for the bride and groom. The rings you choose are the ones you will most likely wear for the rest of your life. For this reason, they should be comfortable for you and meet all personal wishes. Also, you do not need to choose a ring for the groom, focusing on your taste, let him choose it himself. Few people have perfect taste, so if you are not a specialist in the fashion world, or not a fashion designer, then there is a high probability that you will not guess the size or appearance of the ring.
When choosing a ring, you should pay attention not only to the width of the fingers, but also to their length. Thus, if you have long, thin fingers, then the ring will suit you more thin and refined. But if you have small and large fingers, then the ring can be chosen wider.
How to determine which ring is right for you
Fitting is a very important step. You should definitely choose a ring that won't squeeze your finger too hard and also won't fly off of it. A good test would be if the fingers of the other hand you freely drive them along the phalanx, but at the same time the ring does not do this with independent movements of the hand.
And a wedding ring. That is why newlyweds try to find out in advance on which hand they wear a wedding ring in their homeland. A ring is more than just a beautiful piece of jewelry. First of all, it will talk about your status to people around you who meet you for the first time. A person who wants to get to know you will definitely appreciate whether there is a ring on your finger. It would be indecent to get acquainted with a married girl, so the ring is a signal that will warn a person whether to start a dialogue with you. Also, the presence of a ring is paid attention to in the circle of relatives and friends, and even when hiring. That is why you should know on which finger and on which hand the wedding ring is worn, so that people around you can read information important to them from your hands, and you feel more confident in your new status.
On the wedding portal site, you will find out which finger an engagement ring is worn on in different countries and what signs are associated with the choice of hand and finger for wedding jewelry, which young people present to each other as a sign of love and fidelity.
Wedding ring: why the ring finger?
When young people buy wedding rings, they think about why the wedding ring is worn on the right hand in some countries and on the left in others. A logical question also arises as to why the ring finger is chosen for the ringlet. There is a rather simple and beautiful explanation for this. Put your palms together as shown in the picture. The thumbs symbolize your father and mother, the index fingers - sisters and brothers, the middle finger - you, the little fingers - children, and the ring fingers - your union with a partner. The thumbs can be easily separated, because we always leave the parental home. You can also separate the index fingers of the hand from each other, because your brothers and sisters will build their lives and their families. The little fingers also detach from each other - since your children will someday leave your house. And only the ring fingers, which symbolize a strong union, cannot be opened, no matter how hard you try.
Why did the ring, and not another piece of jewelry, become the symbol of marriage? The round shape means infinity, stability and eternity, which should be inherent in the newly married couple. If you don't know how to choose an engagement ring, look for the most even, smooth and round piece of jewelry.
Which hand wears a wedding ring in different countries
Each nation has its own traditions and signs regarding the wearing of a wedding ring, as well as with regard to holding a wedding celebration. On which hand is a wedding ring traditionally worn?
Wedding rings - traditions in different countries
Wedding rings on different hands
In some cases, newlyweds may wear the wedding ring on different hands. In Christian countries, it is customary to change the ring to the other hand in case of loss of a spouse or after a divorce. Everyone will immediately understand your difficult situation, and you can avoid uncomfortable questions. Jews change the jewelry on the left hand after the betrothal ceremony. The people of the Middle East do the same. If a couple of young people have different religions and traditions regarding wedding rings, it is best to come to a common decision on which hand to wear the ring.
We continue to be interested in the seemingly ordinary traditions that surround us, but upon closer examination of which many surprising things are revealed.
The tradition of exchanging rings during a marriage ceremony has been known since ancient times. The first mention of this custom dates back to the era of the Old Kingdom, that is, 4 millennia BC. At that time, the presentation of an engagement ring or bracelet (usually made of hemp or sedge) and its acceptance meant that the woman became the property of the man, and he was obliged to protect her.
Men began to wear wedding rings (bracelets) after about 1500 years. And then it became a symbol of the union of two halves into a single whole. In ancient Roman times, rings were made of iron or bronze. The well-known golden ring appeared only in the III-IV centuries.
So, the ring, which is a vicious circle, has long been a symbol of the infinity of the feelings of two lovers and is magically designed to strengthen the earthly and heavenly connection between them. The noble metal from which the rings are made is a symbol of purity and purity. Initially, wedding rings were extremely simple and did not have any decorations.
At the present time, in Russia, another equally important rite is not always observed - engagement, the so-called betrothal, which implies prior consent on the part of the beloved woman to a marriage proposal from her lover. For European countries, such a ritual is mandatory. On the day of the engagement, the young people receive official marriage approval from relatives, and the groom presents the bride with an engagement ring, which symbolizes tender feelings and is a guarantee of seriousness of intentions. Such rings can be heirloom, passed down through generations. In Orthodox Russia, the engagement ring is worn on the ring finger of the right hand of the bride, who wears it without removing it until the day of the official marriage. Subsequently, it can be worn over a wedding band or kept as a family heirloom.
Historians and archaeologists cannot answer the question of which hand the ancient Egyptians wore rings on. The only thing they are unanimous about is that it was worn on the ring finger. According to legend, it was in it that the artery of love (vena amoris) passed. In the Middle Ages, almost every European ruler, and sometimes even counts and dukes, issued their own decrees on which finger to wear a ring on - it could be absolutely any finger of both hands. So, in England at the end of the 17th century, it was customary to wear a wedding ring on the thumb, and in German lands among chivalry it was a very common custom to decorate the little finger with it. In the modern world, it is customary to wear a ring on the ring finger of the right hand among Orthodox Christians, in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, among Catholics in Austria, as well as in Serbia, Ukraine, Poland, Georgia, Chile, Norway, Germany, Greece, Spain, India, Venezuela and other countries. The Orthodox clergy explains this by saying that “right” is a synonym for the right, the right, and is associated with strength and reliability. On the left hand, wedding rings are worn by Catholics, as well as in countries such as Turkey, Armenia, Cuba, Brazil, France, Ireland, Canada, Mexico, Slovenia, Croatia, Sweden, USA, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Korea, Syria.
This is how the "wedding ring" looks like a sign of marriage for men in Iran. Source ( http://loginov-lip.livejournal.com/396446.html)
The Nuremberg Museum houses a 13th-century ring found during excavations. It has a simple triangular profile and the inscription "Loyalty is in me." Then there were inscriptions like “Love to the grave”, “As long as I love - I hope” - or, on the contrary, more pathetic - “United together by God, cannot be separated by man.” The number "3" was considered a symbol of hope, faith and love, and "7" - just happy. Half rings were very popular then. They were worn separately by the husband and wife, but only connected together, these halves made up a whole ring on which one could read some saying.
The Catholic Church focuses on the fact that the left hand is closer to the heart, so the vein of love (the same one from the legend) passes through it. According to Jewish tradition, the bride wears a ring on her index finger. The same tradition existed in ancient Rus'. In Islam, it is not customary for men to wear wedding rings. If worn, it is made of silver or other metals. According to Islam, they are not allowed to wear gold.
In some European countries, the wedding ring is also an engagement ring and changes its status when it is engraved with an inscription and worn on the other hand. If the engagement ring is not used for the wedding, but another, and the question arises whether it should be worn during the wedding ceremony, then several options are possible. The bride can put the engagement ring on the ring finger of her left hand, and the groom puts her wedding ring on the same finger. Or the bride can put the engagement ring on the ring finger of her right hand. After the wedding, the bride can wear both rings on different hands, thereby protecting them from scratches. Another option - the engagement ring is kept by the bride's witness in a special bag, on a plate, etc. After the ceremony, the ring can be worn again either on the right or on the left hand.
ancient roman jewelry
Post-wedding customs
In some Western cultures (USA, UK, Italy, France, Sweden) wedding rings are worn on the left hand. The tradition of wearing a ring on the ring finger dates back to very ancient times, when it was believed that a “vein of love” (vena amoris) passes through this finger of the left hand, and a married couple, putting rings on the ring finger, symbolically declared eternal love for each other . At present, this custom has become a tradition and norm of etiquette in these countries.
In other countries such as Greece, Germany, Russia, Spain, India, Colombia, Venezuela and Chile, the wedding ring is worn on the right hand. Orthodox Christians and Eastern Europeans also wear a wedding ring on their right hand. The Jews wear it on the left hand, despite the fact that during the marriage ceremony the ring is worn on the right hand. In Holland, Catholics wear a ring on their left hand, all others on their right; in Austria, Catholics wear a ring on their right hand. In Belgium, hand selection varies by region. Greeks, many of whom are Orthodox, wear the wedding ring on their right hand, in accordance with Greek tradition.
The reason for this lies in the custom of the Romans to wear a wedding ring on the right hand, because. in Latin, the word for "left" is "sinister", which in English means "evil, sinister." In Latin, "right" will be "dexter", from which the word "dexterity" comes from in English, which means "agility, dexterity, skill." Therefore, the left hand is associated with negative feelings, while the right hand is associated with positive ones.
In general, the ancient Romans, performing the betrothal ceremony, gave the bride's parents a simple metal ring as a symbol of obligations and the ability to support the bride. Marriage has not always been a "union of two hearts", from ancient, even cave times, and until very recently, the purpose of marriage was profit (money, position in society, etc.). In ancient Rome, it was believed that the metal in the wedding ring reflects the inviolability of the marriage bond. A man gave his chosen one, who could be less than 10 years old, an iron ring before the wedding. Then, when the girl grew up, the man officially took her as his wife. After that, he gave her a gold ring. Wedding rings in Rome were worn only by women. Roman women wore up to 16 (!) pieces of rings on each hand. In winter, heavy and wide, and in summer, thin, light and elegant rings. Mostly gold and silver jewelry without stones. Moreover, in everyday life, the rings indicated the social status of the inhabitants: the upper classes had the right to wear gold rings, the townspeople - silver, and slaves - metal. The engagement that preceded the marriage, and then the betrothal (at all these ceremonies, the bride was supposed to be presented with a ring) were actually the guarantees of the upcoming marriage deal, the firmness of the groom's intentions. Initially, the betrothal ceremony was more important than the wedding itself, which was considered only a simple completion of a successful engagement.
Traditions associated with the funeral ceremony
Although according to the law and according to the norms accepted in many religions, the marriage ends with the death of one of the spouses, the customs and symbolism of wearing wedding rings in this case vary greatly: a widower or widow continues to wear his wedding ring, but on the other hand; some take off their wedding ring and put on and wear the ring of their deceased spouse. In many cultures, the duration of wearing and the custom of how to wear a ring does not depend on social norms, but on family traditions and on the choice of the spouse himself. Sometimes a widow or widower will add a deceased spouse's ring to their ring and wear two rings on one finger.
Modern traditions abroad
In the UK and the US, it was widely believed among the older generation that wedding rings should mainly be worn by women. It is now common for both spouses to wear rings, but may occasionally remove them for work, comfort or safety reasons. Some people don't like the idea of using precious metals or they don't want to declare their legal status through jewelry. There are people who prefer to wear a wedding ring on a chain around their neck.
The tradition of using two rings, i.e. for both spouses, is relatively young. Its origin is unclear, and it has never been widely distributed. In the late 19th century, the American jewelry industry launched a marketing campaign to encourage the use of two rings. This tradition was not widespread at that time, although in a book on etiquette, published in 1937, it is recommended that both spouses wear rings. The lessons of the 1920s, the changing economic situation and the impact of World War II led to a second, more successful marketing campaign, and as a result, by the end of the 1940s. the tradition of "two rings" was already used by 80% of those entering into marriage, compared with 15% before the Great Depression.
There are a lot of interpretations of how to wear rings. So, it is argued that a woman should wear a wedding ring below the engagement ring, thereby placing it closer to the heart. According to other rules, the wedding ring should be placed above the engagement ring in order to maintain an engagement atmosphere in the marriage. Some people believe that only a wedding ring should be worn. In the US, you can see a set of three rings in stores: a men's wedding ring, a women's engagement ring, and a thin ring that is attached to the engagement ring before the wedding and turns it into a permanent engagement ring.
Materials for making rings
In many religions, it is allowed to use rings of any material as a symbol of the marriage vow during the marriage ceremony, and in unusual circumstances even unusual ring substitutes can be used.
Basically, jewelers make wedding rings from a precious yellow alloy of gold, copper, tin and bismuth. Platinum and white gold alloys are also used, although the light yellow white gold alloys used in the past are now increasingly being replaced by cheaper nickel-gold alloys plated with a thin layer of rhodium that needs to be reapplied after a few years. Recently, titanium has become very popular as a material for wedding bands due to its durability, affordability, and the gray color associated with weapons material. Tungsten carbide was also used, often with gold or platinum inlays. The cheapest material for engagement rings is nickel-plated silver - for those who prefer this metal over others for its look or cost. Increasingly, couples are buying rings made of stainless steel, which is as durable as platinum and titanium, and polished to a higher quality than the latter. Silver, copper, brass and other cheaper metals are not often used, because they are subject to corrosion over time and thus cannot symbolize permanence. Aluminum or poisonous metals are never used.
Contrary to popular legend, titanium rings can be easily removed with a special jewelry tool and a ring opener.
Styles and fashion trends
Jewish wedding ring, 14th century.
A smooth gold ring is the most popular pattern. People associated with medicine often wear such rings, because. they are easy to wash. Women usually wear narrow rings, men - wider ones.
In France and French-speaking countries, the most common ring consists of three rings intertwined. They symbolize the Christian virtues: faith, hope, love, where "love" is equated with a special type of beautiful sublime love, denoted by the ancient Greek word "agape". However, such rings are used less and less, because. they fall on top of each other.
Women in Greece, Italy, and Anatolian cultures are sometimes gifted and wear so-called puzzle rings, a set of interlocking metal rings that must be joined to form one ring. Men give such rings as a witty test of their women for monogamy: even if a woman already easily copes with the puzzle, she still cannot quickly remove and replace the ring.
In North America and some European countries, many married women wear two rings on the same finger: an engagement ring and a wedding ring. Couples often buy a set of two rings - one for the groom and one for the bride - where the designs of the rings complement each other. In addition, some women who have been married for many years wear three rings on their finger (from palm to fingertip): a wedding ring, an engagement ring and a ring - a symbol of eternity. This combination of three rings is especially common in the UK.
In the United States, the tradition of engraving on rings is becoming increasingly popular.
In the United States, Canada and other English-speaking countries, the Celtic style has become popular among people of Irish and Scottish descent. Rings of this style are distinguished by the presence of an engraving or embossing of the Celtic knot on the ring, symbolizing unity and continuity. The Claddagh design is sometimes used to symbolize fidelity.
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