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Updated Mar 06, 2025Have You Heard This Myth About the Wedding Ring Finger?
Find out what's fact and what's fiction.
You might've heard the myth of the wedding ring finger. As the story goes, ancient Romans chose the fourth finger from the thumb on the left hand to represent romantic bonds since it was the only finger with a vein connecting straight to the heart. They called the vein the Vena Amoris (Latin for "vein of love"). Romantic? Absolutely. Factual? Not so much.
The truth is that every finger has veins that connect to the heart, so there's really nothing that physically differentiates the ring finger from the others. Not only that, but the tradition of wearing rings on the fourth finger of the left hand actually dates back further than the Roman Empire itself. So what's the real story behind the wedding ring finger, and how does the tradition hold up today? We're diving into that here.
In this article: Wedding Ring Finger | Engagement Ring Hand | Promise Ring Placement | Ring Finger Meaning & Tradition
Which Finger Is the Wedding Ring Finger?
"Traditionally, wedding rings are worn on the fourth finger from the thumb of the left hand," says Lisa Ingram, VP of Merchandising at KAY Jewelers. However, like most wedding traditions, the choice is ultimately up to you. There's no hard and fast rule that says you have to wear your ring on that finger (Hey, there's no rule saying you have to wear a ring at all). Depending on the customs of your culture or community, you might decide to wear your wedding ring on a different finger, or even on the other hand.
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Conveniently, the wedding ring finger and the engagement ring finger are the same. If you've ever wondered how to wear an engagement ring with a wedding band, the two are usually stacked on top of one another (but again, there's no pressure to do so if it's not your vibe).
Is groom ring finger etiquette the same?
In general, the wedding ring finger is the same for both brides and grooms. While grooms don't always wear engagement rings in the prewedding period, they typically will sport a wedding band on the fourth finger of their left hand after saying "I do".
Can you wear your wedding ring on your right hand?
Your wedding ring finger doesn't have to be on your left hand. While tradition singles out the left ring finger as the ideal option, modern trends allow us to pick and choose how to wear our rings. It's perfectly acceptable to wear your wedding ring or engagement ring on either hand and any finger.
What finger do Jewish wedding rings go on?
The Jewish wedding ring finger is also the fourth finger of the left hand. However, during Jewish wedding ceremonies, couples traditionally place rings on the index fingers of their right hands which are moved over to the left hand after the event.
Graphic: Ashley Detmering
Which Hand Is the Engagement Ring Hand?
As mentioned above, both wedding rings and engagement rings are most commonly worn on the left hand. However, according to Ingram, more and more modern couples are beginning to experiment with different placements. "This shift is especially notable among today's couples, who are co-creating a relationship journey that reflects their personal values and priorities, often moving away from conventional milestones–it's no surprise that engagement rings and wedding bands are taking on new forms and placements," she explains.
What About Promise Rings—What Finger Does It Go On?
According to Ingram, a promise ring is usually worn on the ring finger of the right hand to avoid confusion with an engagement ring. "However, the placement ultimately depends on the individual and which finger holds the most meaning for them," she adds. If you decide to wear your promise ring on your left hand, once you get married, the tradition is to then move the promise ring over to your right hand ring finger.
Wedding Ring Finger Meaning & Ring Finger Traditions
"Rings are deeply personal symbols, and the meaning a couple places behind them is what truly matters," says Ingram. Of course, the longstanding traditions behind them also play a role in their significance. Read on to learn more about the history of wedding and engagement ring fingers.
Wedding Ring Finger Meaning
Wedding rings have been a symbol of eternal love throughout history. "The tradition of wedding rings came about in Egypt, about 4,800 years ago," says Zaven Ghanimian, CEO of Simon G Jewelry. "The circle was meant to symbolize eternity, with no beginning or end. What most people don't know is that the hole in the center of the ring also has significance—it's not just space, but rather a gateway or door. When you give someone a ring, it signifies immortal love," Ghanimian explains. While the myth of the Vena Amoris was long ago debunked, the practice of wearing rings on the fourth finger of the left hand held up over the years mainly due to tradition. To this day, couples exchange rings during their wedding ceremony, placing the ring on each other's wedding ring finger after saying their vows.
Engagement Ring Finger Meaning
It wasn't until several centuries later that the history of engagement rings began. "The first recorded use of a diamond engagement ring occurred in 1477, when Archduke Maximilian of Austria presented Mary of Burgundy with a ring featuring hogback diamonds (modern-day baguette diamonds) arranged in the shape of the Gothic letter M," says Kristen Lawler-Trustey, a spokeswoman for jewelry brand Forevermark.
His engagement ring choice then sparked a trend–for more than one reason. "Diamonds have long been an unwavering symbol of a couple's eternal love and commitment to one another," Lawler-Trustey says. "A diamond is the hardest and most durable naturally occurring substance found on Earth, making it the perfect choice to represent enduring, everlasting love and the promise of forever. Each diamond is also incredibly rare and unique. No two diamonds are alike, just as each couple's love has its own unique story." Of course, diamonds aren't a requirement for an engagement ring. They can have other gemstones, or whatever else suits your sense of style.
Meaning for Rings on Different Fingers
Different cultures have different meanings associated with each finger. While your wedding ring finger is traditionally on your left hand, some cultures wear wedding rings on their right index finger. Similarly, signet rings, which are worn on the pinky finger, can sometimes be associated with marital status. In general, though, there are no hard and fast rules to follow, so choose whichever finger works best for your ring.
