Learn About The Interesting Reason Why Wedding Rings Are Worn On The Left Hand

by N/A, 9 years ago | 2 min read

For many cultures, the left hand is seen as aÂ taboo. In others, women could even beÂ divorcedÂ if seen favoring their left hand. So how on Earth did the left hand become the symbol of lasting love and commitment?Â

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It can first be traced back to the second-century Egyptians, who believed a delicate nerve was on the fourth finger of the left hand that connected directly to the heart, according to a Greek scholar.

That, of course, is false.

Centuries later, a similar conclusion was reached by Romans...

They believed the vena amoris (lover's vein) connected this particular finger to the heart. Again, this is false, but symbolically the modern age is not far off from why they did this. Suitors would slip the engagement ring over the finger to show they had a grip on their lover's heart at all times.

Others argue this practice is an early Christian ritual. Followers of this religion saw the first three fingers as the Holy Trinity and the fourth finger represented an Earthly love...

This makes it the perfect spot for a wedding ring.

It wasn't until the Protestant reformation when Thomas Cranner published "The Book of Common Prayer" asking couples to break-away from the right handed tradition and slip the ring onto the fourth finger of the left hand...

That's when this ritual truly took off, because before long husbands and wives all over the continent were doing so.

Essentially people have been doing it ever since, and that's why you wear your wedding ring on your left hand (or will someday).

Now you know: and the tradition continues to live on!

Like it or not.