Young people in the registry office are not mistaken as soon as they hear that they can seal the new “union” not only with signatures, kisses, but also with rings. The bride offers the ring finger of her right hand. And then she takes the same hand of the groom to “ring” him too. Why should they be wrong? After all, they have already tried on rings on the fingers of this particular hand! But this is how everything happens in Russian registry offices. And if newlyweds get married in other countries, isn’t that right? Imagine that this is not the case everywhere!
Why the right hand?
The tradition of wearing a wedding ring on the right hand did not arise yesterday. AND they do this not only in Russia. At different times, different peoples gave their own explanation for this choice. They endowed their hands with different characteristics.
- The ancient Greeks considered her “happy” and “reliable”.
- Only Hindus saw her as “pure”.
- Jewish brides wear it next to the “most important” index finger.
Interesting! At a Jewish wedding, the groom puts a ring on that very “important” finger, and the bride sends the jewelry to its permanent place.
In addition to those mentioned, there are many countries in the world where there is a tradition close to ours and the same choice is made for special decoration.
Important! In many countries there is a tradition of ring transfer for widowers.
And why the left one?
In general, the attitude towards the hands was different. The right one was most often more active. And they usually decorated it with rings. And the left was not assigned a primary, secondary role. She wore virtually no feminine jewelry.
Upon marriage, only the bride was given a ring. The groom did not receive any decorations for his engagement. In the 18th century, brides in some European countries began to move it to the left side.
Important! It is believed that moving the ring to the left side of the lady was used to demonstrate how respectful they were to their spouse.
And still in many countries of Europe (Great Britain and Ireland, France and Italy, Sweden and Switzerland, Czech Republic, Finland, etc.), America (USA, Canada), as well as in the countries of Asia, Africa, Australia, the bride and groom extend each other friend's left hand. Some They explain this by closeness to the heart, the “cordiality” of feelings and intentions.
Both right and left
There are other approaches to wedding rituals and traditions.
- In modern India, you can decorate the fingers of both hands.
- In Germany and Holland, wedding rings are exchanged during engagement. And they put them on the left hand. But the decorations are moved to the right on the wedding day.
- In Sri Lanka there is no one rule for the bride and groom. He puts the jewelry on his right hand, and she puts it on her left.
But the main thing in all countries is the understanding that It is not the finger on which the jewelry lands that is important, but the feeling that it symbolizes!
0
