Why do we wear wedding bands on the 3rd finger of the left hand?

Answer 1

cuz the roman's believed that the ring finger on your left hand was directly connected to the heart or something. I think it is =]

Answer 2

Yes- the theory is that the 3rd finger on the left hand contains a blood vessel that has the shortest distance to the heart comparatively to the other fingers. So putting the ring on that finger, you "hold it close to your heart".

The other thing is- have you ever thought about WHY people wear wedding rings at all?
In the time of tribalism, warriors who captured a women from a neighboring tribe would tie them up so they could not escape- having captured them they claim them for a wife. As time went on, the woman would be freed from the bonds. After the man was sure she wouldn't run away, he removed all the ropes, save one- a string around one finger. This was a reminder to her that he would hunt her down if she ran away- signifying his claim of her as his property.
This practice was out grown as cultures developed and stopped being nomadic/tribalistic. The ring came into being and became a symbol of eternity and love and commitment instead of a symbol of ownership.

Weird isn't it?

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

In Western cultures a wedding ring is traditionally worn on the ring finger. According to tradition, the wedding ring is worn on the left ring finger because the vein in the left ring finger, referred to as the vena amoris was believed to be directly connected to the heart, a symbol of love.

In medieval Europe, the Christian wedding ceremony placed the ring in sequence on the index, middle, and ring fingers of the left hand, representing the trinity — God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The ring was then left on the ring finger. In a few European countries, the ring is worn on the left hand prior to marriage, then transferred to the right during the ceremony. A Greek Orthodox bride wears the ring on the left hand prior to the ceremony, then moves it to the right hand after the wedding.

In Norway, Russia, Poland, Germany, Austria and in Spain (except in Catalonia) the wedding ring is worn on the ring finger on the right hand.

In the Jewish wedding ceremony, the groom places the ring on the bride's index finger, and not ring finger; the ring is usually moved to the ring finger after the ceremony.

In the Indian tradition, the right hand is considered as auspicious. Hence the wedding ring is worn on the right hand. However, despite tradition, some believe in wearing the ring on the left hand, matching western cultural practice.

Answer 4

Post-wedding customs

The choice of finger relates to traditions purportedly dating to classical times, from an early usage reportedly referring to the fourth finger of the left hand as containing the vena amoris or "vein of love"[1]. At least in part due to this tradition, it became acceptable to wear the wedding ring on this finger. By wearing rings on the fourth finger of their left hands, a married couple symbolically declares their eternal love for each other. This has now become a matter of tradition and etiquette.

In many Western cultures, the wedding ring is worn on the left hand. In some countries such as Germany, India, Venezuela and Chile, however, it is worn on the right hand. In Spain it is also worn on the right, except by Catalan people. Orthodox Christians, Eastern Europeans and Jews also traditionally wear the wedding band on the right hand. In The Netherlands, Catholic people wear it left, all others right. But in Austria Catholic people wear it right. Greek people, many being Orthodox Christians, also wear the wedding rings on the right hand in keeping with Greek tradition. A traditional reason to wear the wedding ring on the right hand stems from Roman custom. The Latin word for left is "sinistra", a word that evolved into the English "sinister". The Latin word for right is "dexter", a word that evolved into "dexterity". Hence, the left hand had a negative connotation and the right a good one.

Answer 5

The tradition began with the Romans. They believed that the ring finger was connected directly to the heart by a vein called vena amoris or "the vein of love."

Answer 6

there is a vein from the left hand ring finger that leads to the heart..

Answer 7

It was believed at one point that our ring finger contained an artery that lead directly to the heart.

Answer 8

because of an ancient Greek belief that a vein in this finger ran directly to the heart.

Answer 9

It's the finger that is related to the heart, blood line.

Answer 10

It has something to do with it bneing connected to your heart, Im not 100% sure though.