Why People Wear Wedding Rings Differently Around the World

A wedding ring is more than just a symbol of marriage — it can also offer insight into a person’s cultural background, traditions, and even where they come from. Across the world, the way people wear their wedding rings varies widely.

The origins of the wedding rings

It's unclear when the tradition of exchanging wedding rings started, but it is believed to have appeared in Ancient Egypt and Greece. Initially, rings were made from plant stems, leather, and ivory, but later metal, particularly iron, replaced these materials. Men occasionally gave gold or silver rings to their brides as a sign of trust. In the second century BCE, Roman brides received 2 rings: a gold one for public occasions and an iron one for household tasks. This custom continued for several centuries.

In the Middle Ages, giving a wedding ring became part of the marriage ceremony. In the Renaissance, wealthy individuals began giving diamond rings for engagements after Archduke Maximilian of Austria presented one to Mary of Burgundy.

The mining of diamonds increased in the late nineteenth century, making them more affordable for people with lower incomes. Although the tradition diminished in the early twentieth century, De Beers' 1938 marketing campaign re-established the tradition of giving a diamond engagement ring.

Why do people wear it on different hands?

The ancient Romans were the first to wear the wedding ring on the right hand. They believed the left hand was unhappy and “unreliable.“

For many years, it has been customary in India to wear rings only on the right hand because the left hand was considered ”impure." Nowadays, it’s permitted to wear wedding rings on any hand.

In Germany and the Netherlands, couples wear golden engagement rings on their left hands and wedding rings on the right. It signifies the change in social status.

Wearing the wedding ring on the left hand is a relatively recent tradition which was born only at the beginning of the 18th century. Before that, even in English-speaking countries, the rings were worn on the right hand.

In Sri Lanka, the groom wears the wedding ring on his right hand, and the bride wears it on her left.

In countries where the ring is worn on the left hand, after the death of the spouse, many put it on the ring finger of the right hand. This gesture symbolizes the unbreakable bond with the deceased spouse.

Another theory about why the ring finger.

Put your hands together like this. Your thumbs are your parents. Your index fingers are your brothers and sisters. Your middle fingers are you. Your ring finger is your partner. Your pinkies are your children.

You can separate all your fingers, symbolizing the different paths people take in life. But you cannot separate your ring fingers.

Over time, wedding rings have become more than just a symbol of marriage - they’ve also turned into a way to showcase wealth, personal style, and individuality. Just take a look at celebrity rings — some of them are so extravagant, they deserve a spot in the Hall of Fame!