Do Men Wear Wedding Rings?
Let's be honest, in a modern world and an all-embracing society, the question of whether men do wear wedding rings or not cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. Historically in many cultures it was only women who wore wedding rings, and it should be noted that men only really started wearing wedding rings in the early 20th century - prior to this it was impractical as most men worked on farms or in manufacturing and could potentially lose their ring or have it contribute to accidents. Traditionally, in many English-speaking western countries such as Australia, New Zealand, USA and UK men wear their wedding rings on their left hand. However, there are plenty of countries where it is considered proper to wear your wedding ring on your right hand, including many European countries like Greece, Belgium, Austria and Spain, South American countries such as Columbia, Venezuela, and Peru, and even Jordan and Russia. In India, the left hand is considered impure, so the wedding ring is traditionally worn on the right hand.
We should be considering the significance of a wedding ring, rather than worrying about where men, or women, wear their wedding ring. A ring is a circle, and a circle is a symbol of eternity, without beginning or end, symbolising eternal love and the never-ending bond of marriage. The exchange of wedding rings between two people on their wedding day is an emblem of eternal love and commitment within a relationship and is worn to show the world they are married. Where a woman or man choose to wear their rings is another matter...
On Which Finger Should Men Wear Their Wedding Ring?
Once again, there are many answers to this question, depending on your culture and beliefs. The ancient Romans believed that the vein in the fourth finger of the left hand ran directly to the heart, and nicknamed it the Vena Amoris, or the "vein of love". Unfortunately, no such vein exists, but this romantic tradition has lasted for centuries, at least in the Western world, and that finger has become known as the ring finger. However, which finger do men wear their wedding ring can be complicated to answer!
How about men wearing their wedding ring on the right hand until the wedding day, then switching to the left as they do in Brazil and Turkey? Or the other way around if you are German? The point isn't so much where men wear their wedding rings, as why they wear them, and the consensus is they do it to show the world their love and devotion to their partner.
Whether you choose to wear them on fingers, thumbs or even on a necklace the important thing is to find uniquely crafted rings that are individual and personal, and that is exactly what we believe when we design our fine jewellery at Vinny and Charles. We craft contemporary pieces using top-quality materials and gemstones, inspired by nature and always working towards being more sustainable and eco-friendly. Your wedding ring says a lot about you and should be worn with pride wherever you choose to wear it!
