wedding rings?

Question

Why are wedding rings placed on the left hand and not the right hand. Is their a particular reason or was it just a coincidence?

Answer 1

supposedly, it seems an artery or vein is directly connected to the heart so thats why it was chosen, not too sure how accurate it is

Answer 2

Why do we use the third finger of the left hand?

But even in these days of cardiothoracic science, it's not easy to put a ring around the heart. So in the old days they had a simple answer: they put the ring on the third finger which they believed had a vein, artery or nerve (a sort of a USB cable) running directly to the heart. And as the left hand is a bit closer to the heart than the right, they placed engagement and wedding rings on the third finger of the left hand. (Actually, during some periods in the past, the ring was worn on the right hand; a practice that continues to this day in some cultures, since the right hand is considered more righteous.)


Lord Of The Rings



In chiromancy (a combination of astrology and palmistry) the third (Apollo) finger relates to the heart. Wearing a ring on that finger would not only protect the heart from evil spirits, but also enhance the life of the wearer by transmitting energy to the heart.

Following this line of quacky reasoning, it was the custom for physicians, herbalists and other healers, to use their third finger when applying medicinal ointment or powder to their patients, Using this finger strengthened the effectiveness of the cure.

Japanese call the ring-finger kusuri-yubi, in German Arzt-Finger, in Latin digitus medicinalis and in Old Anglo-Saxon it was called lech-man, all meaning medical finger, because:

1. Long ago doctors applied medicine (powder or ointment) with this finger. Sure, any finger could have been used but this finger seems to have become the norm because the hand can be steadied by the middle finger and the little finger whilst applying the medicine. Being closer to the thumb, the first and second fingers are generally used more for other things (like fingers crossed that the marriage is a happy one!), so the third finger is slightly more sensitive to touch, making it more suitable for delicate tasks like applying ointment. As most people are right-handed, the right hand is used more frequently for work, so not as touch sensitive as the left. And as the right hand does more work, it poses a greater risk to any jewelry. Watchmakers put the winder on the right hand side of the watch face, because most people wear their watches on the 'safer' left wrist.
or...
2. Long ago people believed that a nerve or vein ran directly from this finger to the heart. Roman doctors*** called this vena amoris - the vein of love. If medicine is applied by this finger, then the medicine would be enhanced by the mystical energy of the physician's heart. Medicine has its roots in magic (medico - to heal by magic) and the German Arzt (physician) originally meant magician.
or...
3. If medicine is applied to this finger, then the medicine would shoot directly to the heart. Nice idea.
or...
4. ...something else.

Whatever the reason, this finger became rather special and the natural choice to bear a wedding ring.

Some cultures have different traditions. The Irish, for example, have an interesting 'code', where the position of a ring can send a subtle message to prospective suitors. (See Claddagh Ring.)

***(Did Roman paramedics refer to IV's as 4's?)

Answer 3

In ancient cultures it was believed that the third finger of the left hand, had a special vein called vena amoris, the vein of "love," that ran from the "ring finger" finger directly to the heart. There is, of course, no scientific basis for this romantic theory, but the custom has, nevertheless, endured through generations. It was King Edward VI of England who decreed that the third finger of the left hand be designated as the "official" ring finger and, in 1549, the Book of Common Prayer sealed the deal with the designation of the left hand as the marriage hand. Despite the designations, in many European countries brides wear their wedding rings on the right hand.

Answer 4

We place the wedding ring on the ring finger of the left hand. It was believed that the vein from that finger lead directly to the heart. And that is why the wedding ring goes on first, then the engagement ring, if you have one.

But should you get married abroad, it is the ring finger of the right hand.

Answer 5

This goes as far back as the Egyptians or perhaps even further.The egyptians started putting the rings on their left hand because they believed that their was a vein in the left hand that went directly into the heart.So the ring was put there to symbolize that their spouse was a part of their heart.

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

For a long time, it was believed that the left ring finger had a straight "line" or some sort running to the heart. Literally, of course, it is untrue (your left ring finger would bleed as much as your right if cut off), but it is tradition.

Answer 7

I wear my wedding and engagement ring on my right hand. My husband is from Eastern Europe and he wanted me to use their tradition. Our friends and family from there, who are here now, all wear the rings on their right hands.

Answer 8

It used to be thought that there was a vein in your left ring finger that ran to your heart.

Answer 9

I believe it is because the left hand is the closet to the heart. God bless**** Symbolization!

Answer 10

I think it was just a coincidence!!!