On What Hand Should You Wear Your Engagement Ring?

Most people agree that the engagement ring belongs on the ring finger, but on which hand? Read on if you’ve been wondering ;)

The question of where you should put your engagement ring, on the right or the left hand, is such a common question you wouldn’t even believe it. Especially here in Scandinavia.

Norway, the Odd One Out

Now, the Swedes have got it all figured out, they do the same as the rest of the world, and the Danes have partly understood it too, but Norwegians seem to be the odd one out.

Here in Norway, we like to go our own way, and that’s where the confusion of where to place the engagement ring started.

You see, almost anywhere else in the world, the engagement ring belongs on the left hand. But in Norway it’s common to wear the engagement ring on the right hand.

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Why the Left Hand?

Many ascribe the more global custom of wearing the engagement ring on the left hand to an old myth. Apparently, there's a special blood vein called “the vein of love” or “vena amoris" in Latin, which runs from the ring finger on the left hand directly to the heart.

Placing the engagement ring on the ring finger on the left hand is therefore meant to symbolize and solidify the connection to the heart.

Above: a customized two-stone Nangi ring with an oval blue sapphire and diamond

Why the Right Hand?

In Norway, the general custom is to wear the engagement ring on the right hand. Some say it’s because it’s the same hand we usually greet people with, therefore making it easier for people to spot if you’re taken or not.

Others believe it has to do with religion and referring to people in the Bible wearing rings on the right hand. People also claim it has to do with the right hand being the hand of power and authority.

It’s also worth noting that if you’re right-handed, your right fingers will be slightly larger than those of your left hand, simply because they are more active and need to be stronger.

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No Correct Hand

We don’t really know exactly why the Norwegian custom differs from the rest of the world. But frankly, it doesn’t matter.

Ring customs change over time with cultures and trends. The Romans even had two engagement rings, one in iron that could be worn at home when doing housework and one in gold to be worn outside the house so they could show off. Another interesting custom is from a few centuries ago in England, where it was normal to wear your wedding ring on the thumb!

Above: Bohemian Girl & Diamonds stacked with a Nangi Love Band

Today, there’s no doubt that your engagement ring belongs on the ring finger, but on which hand you choose to wear it is basically up to you.

Where does it feel more comfortable to you? That’s what matters.

What About the Wedding Band?

It’s generally the same story with the wedding band as with the engagement ring. The rest of the world prefers to place the wedding ring on the left hand, whereas Norway prefers the right hand. And again, it’s entirely up to you what you choose.

Pictured above: Nangi Love Bands

In addition to the confusion of which hand to place the engagement ring, there exists a myriad of other myths about it too. Like what gem it should have and how much it should cost. At Nangi, we believe you don’t have to follow all these unwritten rules. You can make your own rules ;)

Read Danuka’s Mythbuster on Engagement Rings Here.