Why is the wedding ring worn on the 4th finger?

Question

There is a beautiful and convincing explanation given by the Chinese Legend...

Thumb represents your Parents
Second (Index) finger represents your Siblings
Middle finger represents your-Self
Fourth (Ring) finger represents your Life Partner
& the Last (Little) finger represents your children

Firstly, open your palms (face to face), bend the middle fingers and hold them together - back to back
Secondly, open and hold the remaining three fingers and the thumb - tip to tip


Now, try to separate your thumbs (representing the parents)..., they will open, because your parents are not destined to live with you lifelong, and have to leave you sooner or later.
Please join your thumbs as before and separate your Index fingers (representing siblings)...., they will also open, because your brothers and sisters will have their own families and will have to lead their own separate lives.

Now join the Index fingers and separate your Little fingers (representing your children)...., they will open too, because the children also will get married and settle down on their own some day.

Finally, join your Little fingers, and try to separate your Ring fingers (representing your spouse).
You will be surprised to see that you just CANNOT....., because Husband & Wife have to remain together all their lives - through thick and thin!!

Try it out.

Answer 1

Cool... thank U so much!

in answer to your question:
I was not aware of that information!
(protection from Violation Notice)

Answer 2

Penny, I like your example & I have heard it before, but the more common explaination that I have heard is that they used to think that finger had a direct connection to the heart. Here's some reference material that I found. Before medical science discovered how the circulatory system functioned, people believed that a vein of blood ran directly from the third finger on the left hand to the heart. Because of the hand-heart connection, they chose the descriptive name vena amori, Latin for the vein of love, for this particular vein. Based upon this name, their contemporaries, purported experts in the field of matrimonial etiquette, wrote that it would only be fitting that the wedding ring be worn on this finger. By wearing the ring on the third finger of the left hand, a married couple symbolically declares their eternal love for each other. 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 3

I've heard it's because a long-held belief that the finger in question is directly connected to the heart, by way of the vascular system. Not very scientific. But, certainly romantic.

Answer 4

Lady G....I am quite sure all this is true, but my explanation is far easier to remember...Ya can't wear them on your index finger..they get in the way of everything you do. Ya can't wear them on your thumb for the same reason. Pinky rings just look stupid...and can you imagine wearing it on your middle finger....everytime anyone asks, "let me see your rings!"....trust me, someone, somewhere, sometime is going to think you are flipping them the bird! So it is left to the 4th finger....AS far as right or left hands, it would seem that most are right handed, and rings get in the way, no matter where you wear them, so less beating on the ring if on the left hand. By the way, how are you doing? Goldwing

Answer 5

Amen, The little girl I watch just ask me if I was alright sitting here in front of the P,c twisting my fingers around and around . Do you remember doing that same thing this the church and this is the steeple, open the door and see all the people?

Answer 6

Tha'ts cool...I remember seeing that on Youtube or something and it's pretty neat.

I remember when I studied piano, that if you put your hands on the keys with your fingers curled and raise your fingers one at a time, they all come up except your fourth finger.

The teacher explained that was why you really had to s-t-r-e-t-c-h that one when playing! LOL

I like this story though, who ever came up with it was pretty brilliant!

Answer 7

This isn't the reason and I'm not quite sure whatthe reason is, but if you ever notice when ever your sitting at your desk, at a restaraunt table, etc. you always lean on your left hand and that finger is the one standing away from your face. Everyone sees that finger. With the ring on that finger they will know you are taken and taken under oath!!!!!!

Answer 8

That's cool ! --- I wear mine on the fourth finger cause that's the one that the ring fits.

Answer 9

I used to hear it was because that finger led directly to the heart, but I like this version better!

Answer 10

Never heard of that sounds like a wise person that said that and a wiser person pasted it on