Ever Wondered Why You Wear Wedding Ring On The Four Finger

It's pretty much accepted that ring should be worn on the fourth finger of your left hand but have you ever wondered the reason behind this tradition? Why do bride and groom need to follow this tradition? Here's the complete story behind the myth of wearing your wedding ring on left hand.

Couple exchanging ring during a marriage ceremony is quite a popular view which is often considered as our ancient culture. A ring on the fourth finger of a person is clear indication that he is married.

However, exchanging ring on the wedding day allows the couple to pledge love, commitment, and loyalty in a relationship. It was 3000 BC when the first couple started exchanging rings on their wedding day and this tradition is carried forward since then. The ring is first given by the groom to the father which is seen as a symbol of 'bride purchase'.

It is said that the story of wearing the wedding ring on the fourth finger of left hand originated from ancient Roman and Greek times. During those days it was accepted that the vein in the ring finger or the fourth finger on the left hand ran straight to one's heart. Because of this belief, they called that vein the "vena amoris" or vein of love.

It was the western countries who started believing in this tradition of wearing a wedding ring on left hand. The man who places the ring on the fourth finger of the left-hand notes his ability towards his family and wife. He pledges to protect his wife in the rest of his life.

It is further said that wearing a wedding ring on the left hand is a way to express love between the couple. For a married couple, this would ultimately declare their eternal love for one another. Romantic enough, huh?

However, there is no law that one should specifically wear the wedding ring on left hand only. People in many central and northern European couples wear wedding rings on their right hands.

Many people consider wearing the ring on left hand because they believe this may bring luck to them while others believe wearing the ring on left hand because they are using the right hand more often. Couples from Austria, Denmark Poland, and Germany wear the ring on the right hand and they consider this as their tradition.

Wedding rings were generally made of ivory, leather or any other expensive materials which were not durable at all. So one more reason behind this tradition is it helps to keep your ring safe and secured. Rings can be worn on any finger but wearing them on the fourth finger of the left hand can help you build your love and trust with your partner.

Many people prefer wearing wedding rings on another finger which may be because of therapeutic issues. Rheumatoid arthritis and other joint diseases can cause fingers to swell and hence a person decides to wear a ring either on his thumb finger or according to his flexibility.