Which Finger Is for an Engagement Ring?

Which Finger Is for an Engagement Ring?

If you asked most people which finger is for an engagement ring, the answer would likely be pretty straightforward–the engagement ring goes on the ring finger of your left hand. But did you know this is not the case in all cultures? Let’s dive into the history of the high-quality diamond engagement ring and how different people prefer to wear it. 

When Did We Begin Wearing Engagement Rings?

Some say the tradition started with the Egyptians, while others say it was the Greeks that first began giving and wearing engagement rings. Contemporary scholars, however, place the birth of the engagement ring in Ancient Rome. The Romans believed the ring finger on your left hand was connected directly to the heart. 

The engagement ring was not always gold, either. In Roman times, gold was reserved for society’s elite, while the common people wore rings made of iron. Over time, it became customary for everyone who could afford to do so to wear rings of shimmering gold.

When Did Diamonds Become Customary?

The first well-documented use of a diamond engagement ring can be traced back to Vienna, Austria in 1477. It was then that the Archduke of Austria was betrothed to the Duchess of Burgundy, and decided to give her a brilliant diamond ring as a symbol of his promise to wed her. 

As with many customs, after the nobility of the time saw the beauty and clarity of the diamond offered by the Archduke, they decided that their brides-to-be similarly deserved such a radiant stone. 

Over the centuries, as more and more diamonds reached the market, they became more affordable for lesser nobility. Eventually, middle-class citizens began offering diamond engagement rings to their betrothed. 

Do Other Cultures Wear the Ring on Other Fingers?

Yes, indeed! Even though the engagement ring is traditionally a European tradition, not everyone in Europe–or around the world–wears the engagement or wedding ring on the left hand. In fact, in Germany, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Hungary, and Greece, it is customary to wear the ring on the right hand. 

The next time you watch a movie set in one of these countries, keep a close eye on their hands–you just might see some right-handed engagement and wedding rings! If you don’t, the movie may have been made by Americans or other Europeans who were unaware of this custom. 

In addition to Eastern Europe, India is another country in which it is customary to wear the ring on the right hand. In Indian culture, the left hand is considered unlucky, and in some cases, unclean. For this reason, not only are wedding and engagement rings worn on the right hand, you would also never shake hands or give money to someone using your left hand.

If Not a Diamond Ring, What Else?

In Thailand, in a traditional engagement ceremony known as Thongmun, the groom gives the bride many golden items, and as part of the ceremony, a golden ring is given–but never a diamond. 

The concept of a diamond engagement ring is truly only a recent and modern trend. Traditionally, elaborate ceremonies and rituals take place in many countries at the time of an engagement–in fact, India has seven different engagement ceremonies that vary based on location. Some may involve fruits, and others will have flowers. In nearly all of them, you can expect to see a multi-colored array of extremely high-quality shimmering fabrics being both worn and exchanged–but you’ll almost never see a diamond engagement ring. 

In Japan, there is also a special engagement ceremony known as “Yuino.” In this ceremony, many highly symbolic and specific gifts–not including diamond rings–are exchanged, followed by a grand feast! 

The Diamond Ring Remains Popular

Thanks to branding, marketing, and media throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, more people around the globe each year are choosing to give diamond engagement rings as a symbol of their promise to wed. Flowers and gifts of all kinds are appreciated by everyone, but of course, only one thing will last for millennia–a diamond ring!