The tradition of exchanging rings at a wedding ceremony has very ancient roots. However, even now, a wedding ring is a necessary and very important wedding attribute that symbolizes the spouses' loyalty and devotion to each other.
A bit of history
The very first rings appeared in Ancient Egypt. The transfer of the ring from one high-ranking official to another symbolized the transfer of all his power and power. Later, less noble inhabitants of the country began to wear various ornaments on their fingers. Over time, a tradition has emerged to exchange wedding rings.
During the Middle Ages in Europe, each count or duke had the right to issue his own decree about which finger should be decorated with a wedding ring. So, in England at that time, the symbol of marriage was worn on the thumb, and in Germany - on the little finger.
Legends
There is a beautiful legend according to which Joseph, during his betrothal to his future wife, the Virgin Mary, put a ring on her left hand. Only the data differ as to what kind of finger the man adorned his beloved: middle or ring.
According to the ideas of the ancient Egyptians, in the ring finger of the left hand, the only one of all ten fingers of both hands, there is a wreath that stretches to the very heart. It was she who was called the "artery of love", and the wedding ring was worn on this finger since ancient times. This symbolized the sincerity and purity of the spouses' intentions, their enduring and mutual love for each other.
Present time
Most often, in European countries, the hand on which the attribute of marriage should be worn is determined by the religion of the spouses. Catholics usually wear wedding rings on their left hand, while Orthodox Christians wear their right.
This tradition is explained quite simply. Orthodox Christians chose the right hand because the right side for them symbolizes everything that is right and right. Catholics proceed from other considerations: the left hand is closer to the heart, the "vein of love" passes through it, so it should be decorated with a ring.
However, religion does not always determine the hand on which the ring is worn. So, the ring finger of the right hand is adorned by newlyweds in Russia, a number of countries of Central and Eastern Europe, professing Orthodoxy. Catholics in Austria, Norway, Germany, Spain, India, Poland and some other states also wear wedding attributes on their right hand.
Residents of the USA, Mexico, France, Brazil, Turkey, Armenia, Canada and Japan for many centuries, when performing a wedding ceremony, wear a ring on the left hand of their soul mate.
