What's the meaning of where a ring is on a hand?

[KhmerPride]

Title sums it up.

When someone wears a ring on their left hand or right hand, what does that mean? Like, does wearing a ring on your left ring finger mean one is married? What if you wear it on your right hand? Does the type of ring matter as well?

Something I've always wondered...

 

[adams]

All I know for sure is the left ring finger - meaning you're married. Although, I think that people wear a ring on a different finger when they are just engaged.

 

[Cybermastif]

Good question. If I am not mistaken, as I know it wearing a ring on the "ring finger" is a symbol of marriage. Granted I have had lady friends tell me that wearing one on the right hand is a symbol of intent. Kinda like a "promise ring". Then again there are lotsa people who wear rings on just about any finger and they don't have any meaning. soooo...

I think I want to hear what other think on this as well... more knowledge = more educated... I think..

 

[Cybermastif]

All I know for sure is the left ring finger - meaning you're married. Although, I think that people wear a ring on a different finger when they are just engaged.

No if they are engaged they still wear a ring on the left ring finger, when married you wear two rings for the women and one ring for the man. The man does not wear a ring on the left ring finger till he is actually married... nice double std huh?

(I've been best man twice and ring bearer once... )

 

[ElFenix]

the ring on her thumb means "lets pretend we're lesbians until khmerpride leaves the room"

 

[chainbolt]

I fear not much anymore

 

[Regine]

In Europe women will often wear their engagement ring on the left hand, and then when getting married switch it over to the right hand.

While here in the US both engagement and wedding ring are worn on the left hand.

 

[obiwaynekenobi]

<< Good question. If I am not mistaken, as I know it wearing a ring on the &quot;ring finger&quot; is a symbol of marriage. Granted I have had lady friends tell me that wearing one on the right hand is a symbol of intent. Kinda like a &quot;promise ring&quot;. Then again there are lotsa people who wear rings on just about any finger and they don't have any meaning. soooo...

I think I want to hear what other think on this as well... more knowledge = more educated... I think.. >>



Actully that's what I always thought it was. I had an ex call it a &quot;friend ring&quot;

But hey she was hardly just a &quot;friend&quot;

 

[Ladi]

My sister wore her engagement ring on the middle finger of her left hand (I believe it's an eastern european/polish tradition? Her husband is polish...).

Claddagh rings (heart w/ crown surrounded by 2 hands) take their meaning from the way they're worn and on what hand: right hand / point of heart facing away from wrist --> looking for love/friendship; right hand / point of heart facing wrist --> in a (committed) relationship; left hand / point of heart facing wrist --> very/permanently committed; left hand / point of heart facing away from wrist is not commonly worn.

The traditional ring finger (on the left hand especially) is historically thought to have a mystical connection to the heart, which is why wedding/engagement rings were commonly worn on it. More important than the finger it was worn on is the circle shape of a ring, symbolizing continuity of love/faithfulness.

Gold is common (for wedding/engagement rings) because it is a precious metal although platinum is also worn by many. Diamonds are traditional for engagement rings (since 1477), although many people choose different stones now. Symbolic rings such as the claddagh or gimmel rings are also used for weddings/engagements.

But in general? The meaning of the ring is given by the one who wears it, although some are more obviously &quot;married&quot;/&quot;engaged&quot;/&quot;just friends&quot; than others...

~Ladi