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Ring Finger 101
So most of us have an idea of what the “ring finger” is. But did you ever wonder where the idea came from? Or perhaps what the difference is in the wedding ring finger or the engagement ring finger? At Saiaf Films, we like to help out when it comes to a lot of the questions that come with getting engaged or married. The same goes for even the simplest ideas like “ring finger” facts. Here, we break down all there is to know about the ring finger.
Where did the idea come from?
A long, long time ago (like ancient times long ago)- it was believed that the ring finger held a vein that ran from the tip of the finger all the way to the heart. It was called the Vena Amoris, aka- Vein of Love. Because of the “so-called” vein, it became customary that couples who were in love should wear a ring as the symbol of their love to one another. As romantic as that sounds, it was discovered that there is no such vein in that finger. But, the tradition remains and couples still wear the engagement and wedding ring on the fourth finger of their left hand.
The Engagement Ring
In some countries – like Greece, Columbia and Russia- couples elect to wear their engagement rings on their right hand. The idea of the engagement ring originated in the 1400s when Mary of Burgundy was presented with a ring of diamonds in the shape of the letter “M.” It was given to her by the Archduke Maximilian of Austria as a symbol of his love and desire to wed her.
Diamonds became a popular trend as the diamond is the strongest natural substance found on Earth. Diamonds have become an icon to those wanting to represent a strong and unwavering commitment to one another. These days, diamonds aren’t a mandatory addition to an engagement ring, but they are still among the most popular.
The traditional method is for the man to propose to the woman, and the woman wears the engagement ring as a symbol of her commitment to the proposal. But, as times have changed. it is not uncommon for a man to wear one as well.
The Wedding Ring
Like the engagement ring, the wedding ring comes from a long, long time ago- just under 5,000 years ago in Egypt. It was believed that the circle shape of the ring symbolized eternity, as a circle has no end. The space inside of the circle is a symbol of immortal love. Typically, the couple will exchange the rings at their wedding ceremony. The rings will be placed on the wedding ring finger after the vows are said and they are promised to each other.
Whatever the style, no matter the size or cost- the engagement and wedding rings are an extremely important factor for most couples. They are a meaningful and apparent symbol of one’s commitment. The wedding ring finger is just another of the many important icons that go into a beautiful relationship.