In many western cultures the ring, which is usually a circular band that adorns the ring finger (3rd one of the left hand). The ancient Greek physicians and Egyptians believed that the ‘vena amoris’ or the ‘vein of love’ ran through the third finger of the left hand and that made the hand to heart connection. As wedding was considered sacred bond of eternal unity, wearing the ring on the left hand was the closest it could be to the heart. In many ancient cultures women were considered inferior to man and since left hand was considered inferior to the right brides would wear the ring on the left hand as a symbol of their submissiveness to their husbands. In 12th century Pope Innocent III declared that weddings could only be complete with the symbol of love, the wedding ring as part of them and all the Christians adopted that. Then, in the 16th century King Edward VI declared the left hand (heart side) to be the marriage hand and so began the tradition of wearing the wedding ring on left hand. Another explanation for wearing the ring on the this finger could be that as the bridegroom faces his bride he, if he favors his right hand more, conveniently reaches for his bride’s left hand, and slips it on her finger. Wedding rings are now days worn on left hand mainly due to the age old tradition of eternal commitment and love for each other and to keep alive the etiquette and customs of weddings.
