Around the world, wedding ring sets represent a couple's lifelong love and commitment to one another. The practice of exchanging rings has a significance that has evolved over thousands of years. Even today, there are a number of cultural differences when it comes to wedding rings that vary by country or religion. In the United States (and many other Western countries), the custom is to wear wedding rings on the fourth findger of the left hand. However, in many other countries, it is traditional to place wedding ring sets on the right hand instead. Why the difference? And which parts of the world opt for the left or the right? Let's take a closer look at the history and context of wedding ring traditions.
A Brief History of Wedding Rings
Where in the World...?
On The Left Hand
Couples wear wedding rings on their left hands in many Western countries, such as North America, South America, and European nations including the UK, Italy, France and Slovenia. In the United States, women (and some men) wear both engagement rings and wedding bands on the left ring finger; how the rings are stacked depends on the bride's personal preference. In Asian countries, people also tend to wear the band on the left hand.