There is meaning behind the fingers rings are worn on. The meaning may vary, but can be very symbolic and important to the individual. Understanding these meanings can help others decide which rings they should wear on which fingers. Rings have been worn for around 6,000 years. The custom began in the Bronze Age when humans would make and wear signet rings. The look and design has changed dramatically through the centuries however for some, the meaning remains much the same.
Promise, Wedding and Engagement Rings
Most adults know that the ring finger (the one right beside the pinky finger) on the left hand is reserved for engagement rings and wedding bands. This finger is generally kept ring-free until the individual has made the commitment and receives the corresponding ring. An old tradition states that there is a vein that runs from this finger directly to the heart, which is why it is associated so closely with love and bridal jewelry.
A promise ring is sometimes used as a symbol of love between two people before they become officially engaged. This ring indicates that the pair is devoted to each other and that neither partner is available to others. The promise ring is usually viewed as a “pre-engagement” ring. Most couples wear a promise ring on the left ring finger as a place holder for an engagement ring. The rings are switched out once a real engagement ring is received. Some couples prefer to wear promise jewelry on the same finger on the right hand instead because it is a mirror of the engagement ring without being an official bridal ring.
Purity Rings
Purity rings are a custom introduced in the 1990s. The purity, or chastity, ring is a symbol of the individual’s religious devotion and commitment to remain abstinent until marriage. These rings are sometimes purchased or given as gifts to teens. The wearer generally places the purity ring on the same finger that the wedding ring will be worn. It is symbolic of the desire to wait until marriage, at which time the purity ring will be retired and a wedding band will take its place.
Class Rings
Class ring wearing guidelines are not as strict as the guidelines for rings related to love and marriage. The class ring is a decorative symbol of the individuals’ academic and extracurricular achievements in a high school or college. Men and women generally wear their class ring on any finger except the left ring finger. A larger class ring, especially those worn by men, may look best on the middle finger of either hand. Others prefer to wear the class ring on the right hand ring finger.
Decorative Rings
Some rings are worn simply because they look good. A decorative piece of jewelry can be worn on any finger. Some individuals will buy a larger or smaller ring size specifically to have something to wear on the pinky or thumb. Make sure the ring size is appropriate for the width of the finger and height of the knuckle to get the best look and a comfortable fit.