Why are wedding rings worn on the left hand?
Do you know why wedding rings are worn on the third finger of the left hand?
Wedding rings are well known as a symbol for love and marriage. Early Egyptians viewed the circular design of a ring as having no beginning or end which symbolized eternity. The circular design of modern wedding rings symbolizes the endless love and unbreakable bond between both the bride and groom. Wedding rings are given as a token of love due to the fact that it represents a promise of eternal unity.
In western cultures placing the ring on the third finger of the left hand originated with the Greeks. In the third century B.C. Greek physicians mistakenly thought that a vein ran directly from the third finger of the left hand to the heart. The called this vein vena amoris, or the vein of love. Putting two and two together, it was logical that the third finger would be a perfect part of the body to bear a ring which symbolizes eternal love and commitment.
This practiced was then adopted by the Romans without any interpretation of their own. In the 12th century Pope Innocent III ordered that marriages must be celebrated in the church and that the ceremony must include a marriage ring. The giving of a ring as a token of love and fidelity was thus adopted by Christians who gave the wedding ring a religious significance. During the 16th century King Edward VI officially designated the third finger as the ring finger and the left hand (the side of the heart) as the marriage hand.
Despite the modern science of the human anatomy, the tradition of wearing wedding rings on the third finger of the left hand lives on and is recognized in many countries around the world. It is interesting to note that in some countries in Europe wedding rings are worn on the right hand.
More information can be found on Universal Facts Blog.
Duo Wedding rings, engagements rings and aniversary bands.
Wedding rings are well known as a symbol for love and marriage. Early Egyptians viewed the circular design of a ring as having no beginning or end which symbolized eternity. The circular design of modern wedding rings symbolizes the endless love and unbreakable bond between both the bride and groom. Wedding rings are given as a token of love due to the fact that it represents a promise of eternal unity.
In western cultures placing the ring on the third finger of the left hand originated with the Greeks. In the third century B.C. Greek physicians mistakenly thought that a vein ran directly from the third finger of the left hand to the heart. The called this vein vena amoris, or the vein of love. Putting two and two together, it was logical that the third finger would be a perfect part of the body to bear a ring which symbolizes eternal love and commitment.
This practiced was then adopted by the Romans without any interpretation of their own. In the 12th century Pope Innocent III ordered that marriages must be celebrated in the church and that the ceremony must include a marriage ring. The giving of a ring as a token of love and fidelity was thus adopted by Christians who gave the wedding ring a religious significance. During the 16th century King Edward VI officially designated the third finger as the ring finger and the left hand (the side of the heart) as the marriage hand.
Despite the modern science of the human anatomy, the tradition of wearing wedding rings on the third finger of the left hand lives on and is recognized in many countries around the world. It is interesting to note that in some countries in Europe wedding rings are worn on the right hand.
More information can be found on Universal Facts Blog.
Duo Wedding rings, engagements rings and aniversary bands.
Labels: Bridal, Bridal Jewelry, Wedding, Wedding Ring, Wedding Rings, Wedding Tradition
This entry was posted by nitacreations, on
Sunday, October 21, 2007.
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