On Which Finger To Put The Engagement Ring And What's Its Meaning
Since ancient times, the engagement ring has been a symbol of love and commitment between two people. Find out on which finger it is placed and what it means.
An engagement ring is a precious piece of jewelry worn by a person who is engaged to be married. It is given by a man to his beloved when he proposes marriage.
In some cultures, both men and women wear similar engagement rings.
On Which Finger To Wear The Engagement Ring
The proposal comes with a ring, which is worn on the ring finger of the left hand. This custom has remained unchanged over the centuries since the ring finger is thought to contain a vein leading to the heart. This was called the "Vena Amoris", which in Latin means the "Vein Of Love".
However, in some cultures, the engagement ring is worn on the ring finger of the right hand. This happens in countries such as Russia, Germany, Norway, and India, as it is believed that wearing a ring on the left hand brings bad luck.
There are also areas where both women and men wear engagement rings. In Kenya, men wear ornaments around their necks to indicate their commitment to a person.
In modern society, the engagement ring is considered to be worn on the left hand because most women are right-handed and use their right hand more often than their left. So by wearing the engagement ring on the non-dominant hand, the risk of it being damaged is reduced.
The Ancient Origin Of The Engagement Ring
It is believed that the engagement ring has its origin in ancient Egypt when women wore bone and ivory rings.
The Romans also gave their lovers engagement rings, which contained a small key. This symbolic key was believed to protect and care for the heart of the husband.
In 1477, Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave Mary of Burgundy a diamond ring for their betrothal in the imperial court of Vienna. This was the first documented use of a diamond ring, that symbolized engagement. The move encouraged the upper echelons of society to give engagement rings to their sweethearts.
In 1870, diamond mines were discovered in Africa. As diamond production increased, more people could afford to buy engagement rings.
For a long time, however, diamond engagement rings remained symbols that belonged only to the upper classes, the nobility, and the aristocracy.
Engagement Ring & Wedding Ring - Worn Together Or Separately?
Should the engagement ring and wedding ring be worn together or separately? This is a question many people ask themselves.
Nowadays, engagement rings come in an ever-increasing variety of shapes, and the most popular materials for making them are, of course, gold and platinum. Also, diamonds are often the top choice.
The difference between an engagement ring and a wedding ring is that the former has a dominant, centrally placed stone surrounded, or not, by smaller stones. A wedding ring, on the other hand, consists of a simple metal band with ornaments according to preference. The latter is placed on the finger for the first time during the official wedding ceremony.
Most women choose to wear both the engagement ring and the wedding ring on the same finger. This is not recommended if the jewelry is not part of the same set. Both pieces of jewelry should be made of the same metal and their style should match.
A wide, square-patterned wedding ring or square-finished stones will not match a round-finished engagement ring. That's why you need to be very careful how you match them, as both pieces of jewelry need to be enhanced.
