Engagement rings and wedding rings have traditionally been worn for centuries as a sign of partnership and love. Society agrees that the ring is usually worn on the ring finger. However, doubts arise when it comes to the question of whether the wedding ring should be worn on the right or left hand.

 

Different cultures favour a certain hand for the engagement and wedding ring. In the USA, UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, Iran, Chile, Italy, France and Sweden, as well as other Commonwealth countries, it is customary to wear the engagement ring on the left ring finger and the wedding ring on the right. Other countries such as Germany, Greece, Russia, Spain, India, Colombia, Venezuela and Poland usually wear the engagement ring on the right hand and the wedding ring on the left.
It can also be a question of religion. Orthodox Christians wear the wedding ring on the right hand, while Jews place the ring on the right hand during the wedding ceremony, but then switch it to the left hand.

In the Netherlands, Catholics prefer the left hand, in Austria the right. In Belgium, the preferred hand depends on the region of the country.
Scandinavian women often wear three rings: an engagement ring, a wedding ring and a maternity ring.

Many Muslims now also wear wedding rings, but they have adopted this tradition. Muslim men are allowed to wear wedding rings as long as they are not made of gold. The hand on which the ring is worn is irrelevant for Muslims.

In China, the bride and groom wear their wedding rings on opposite hands. The bride wears hers on the ring finger of her right hand, the groom on the left.

Regardless of tradition and custom, it is now recognised worldwide that a couple can wear their engagement and wedding ring on their individually preferred hand. A popular superstition in Germany is that the wedding ring should be worn on the left hand, as this is "closer to the heart" and love is a matter of the heart.