Wedding ring – which hand is the right one?

Wedding ring – worn on the right or left?

In Germany and Austria, as well as in Poland, Bulgaria, Norway and Russia, the wedding ring is traditionally worn on the ring finger of the right hand. In most other countries, this is not the case: there, the wedding ring is worn on the left hand. For example, in southern countries, the USA and Switzerland. Why is that? This question is difficult to answer.

There are legends and explanations from ancient times for both variants. According to an old legend, the Greeks and Egyptians believed that a vein from the left ring finger led directly to the heart, the Vena Amoris. This belief therefore speaks in favor of the wedding ring on the left ring finger. However, according to a Bible quote (Exodus 15.6), the right side is considered the "good, lucky side", which is why the wedding ring should be worn on the right ring finger.