So why are the engagement and wedding rings worn on the left hand? It’s an age-old tradition with an interesting history. For years, Birkat Elyon has been providing happy couples with gorgeous, top-quality cubic zirconia rings; they’ve got the backstory on this charming practice. And just why the left hand has been “home” for many an engagement or wedding ring over the years (and why some places opt for the right hand). It’s the perfect place to display a symbol of your commitment.
The tradition of placing the ring on the fourth finger of the left hand dates back as far as ancient Egypt. In those days, couples wove grasses together into a ring to symbolize their union (a far cry from the beautiful, affordable cubic zirconia rings now available). The ring finger of the left hand was chosen because folks believed there was a particular “vein of love” running straight to the heart. This belief persisted into Greek and Roman times. Of course, since then, science has revealed that every finger has veins leading heart-wise, but why ruin a romantic fable? (Oh, and just for fun, there were times in history when the designated ring finger was…the thumb).
There are some countries (like Brazil) in which the engagement ring is slipped onto the ring finger of the right hand. After the marriage, the band is then moved to the left hand to keep company with the newly-minted wedding ring. This practice is being adopted by other modern brides around the world who switch their engagement ring to the right hand just before walking down the aisle. This makes room for the wedding ring during the ceremony. Then they top it with their engagement band later on. Swedish brides also want to leave room for a future piece of jewelry, a “ring of motherhood.”
Brides and grooms in certain other lands routinely wear the engagement ring on the left hand, the wedding ring on the right. You can include Poland, Norway, Greece, the Netherlands and Denmark on that list. For centuries, couples in India chose the right hand because the left was considered “unlucky” – but that’s been changing in modern times.
Among the more “practical” reasons for choosing the left hand for the ring is the simple fact that most people are right-handed. Wearing the ring on the left hand may reduce the chances that your beautiful wedding ring will get dinged up. And, outside of the pinky finger, the “ring” finger is one of the least used.
One trend among couples is to take the engagement and wedding ring and have it soldered together into one single piece. Not only does it represent an unbreakable bond, but it also leaves more room for another piece of jewelry!
Left hand, right hand, stacked rings, blended ones…whatever your preference, today’s times allow brides and grooms to stick with tradition or create their own. Whichever option you choose, trust Birkat Elyon to help you design the most dazzling cubic zirconia rings for your engagement or wedding.