Engagement Ring - worn on your middle finger?
I didn’t realise that the engagement ring is meant to be worn on the third finger of the left hand? I’ve always thought it was worn on your ring finger on your left hand! Not that it bothers me but if you like following traditions and etiquette then this is worth noting.
DEAR ABBY: We have a ring controversy at the office. Some say the engagement ring should be worn on the ring finger of the left hand before marriage. Others insist it should be worn on the ring finger of the right hand until after the ceremony. Which is correct?
- Frank in Milford, N.H.
DEAR FRANK: According to Emily Post, in the United States the engagement ring is worn on the third finger of the left hand - next to the little finger - although in some countries it’s worn on the right hand. It is removed for the wedding ceremony, when the wedding band is placed on the bride’s finger, and replaced immediately after the ceremony outside the wedding ring.
Source: Philly
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POSTED IN: Getting Engaged, Wedding Rings
17 opinions for Engagement Ring - worn on your middle finger?
Crystal
Apr 28, 2007 at 9:33 pm
I found this post a little confusing - you said “I didn’t realise that the engagement ring is meant to be worn on the third finger of the left hand? I’ve always thought it was worn on your ring finger on your left hand!” - the third finger next to your pinky IS the ring finger, as Emily Post said: “According to Emily Post, in the United States the engagement ring is worn on the third finger of the left hand - next to the little finger”
The third finger and the ring finger are the same finger! You fingers are, in order: Thumb, Index Finger(1st Finger) Middle Finger(2nd Finger), Ring Finger(3rd Finger) and Pinky.
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Apr 29, 2007 at 3:00 pm
[…] Speaking of engagement rings, wouldn’t this rock look good on your middle finger (if you’re American!)? […]
TaraMetBlog
May 1, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Crystal is right. Emily Post is saying it is to be worn on your ring finger that’s the finger that’s next to your little finger, IE pinky. “engagement ring is worn on the third finger of the left hand - next to the little finger “
Dr. B
May 24, 2007 at 3:23 am
The reference to finger numbering is incorrect. In the medical or anatomical terms, the first finger is the thumb (or big toe), and you count towards the little finger (pinky, or little toe). So the ring finger is the fourth finger, not the third. In the medical profession it is known as the fourth phalange, the one between the middle finger and pinky.
websurfer
Dec 30, 2007 at 2:23 am
Hey Doc, you are so stupid. Who cares what they call it in the “medical field.” We are effin’ talking about a ring, you snobby F!
k
Feb 5, 2008 at 7:18 am
hey! you guys dont really know what you’re saying. what finger wears the engagement ring? in Africa, Nigeria to be Precise, It is worn on the third finger or the middle finger.
Isegwari!
k
Feb 5, 2008 at 9:08 am
hey!
what do guys think you’re saying? are you giving answers to the question or complicating issues?what finger wears the engagement ring? in West Africa, Nigeria to be precise, the engagement ring is worn on the third (middle) left finger
Isegwari!
Xzigalia
Feb 21, 2008 at 9:56 pm
I just learned this today:
If a lady or gentleman is willing to marry, but not engaged, a ring should be worn on the index finger of the left hand; if engaged, on the second finger; if married, on the third finger; but if either has no desire to marry, on the little finger.
However, I wear my engagement ring on my ring finger. A lot of people do. And there’s a very practical reason for this: If you change fingers after you’re married, you’ll have to get your ring re-sized. What a pain.
j
Feb 25, 2008 at 11:09 pm
websurfer you’re a prick. i’m pretty sure you understand middle fingers. they probably get flashed your way quite often.
Machomatix
Mar 24, 2008 at 6:42 am
Machomatix
Hi All!
I would tend to think its the mid-finger(2nd) thwt you place the engagement ring on!
What if the marriage wasn’t going to happen coz of any God forbid reason.
How will you start explaining to the guys who thought your married?
I’ve just placed my engagement ring on my Angel’s mid/(2nd) finger.
God Bless You All!
Regards from Kenya!
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Jun 12, 2008 at 12:03 am
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LadyChaos31337N00B
Jun 17, 2008 at 10:57 pm
The engagement finger is your ring finger (aka the finger between your pinkie and your middle finger) of your left hand. When you are married it is switched to the same finger on the right hand.
here’s a pic to help you out!! http://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/files/my_radiant_ring_hand.jpg
If one is not engaged, but desires to be married they wear it on their middle finger of their left hand.
If one doesn’t not desire to be married one wears a ring on their pinkie finger.
Irene Kim
Jun 21, 2008 at 2:56 am
Stop complicating the matter so much. Its as simple as this, the 1st finger is the thumb, pinky is the fifth. simple maths. You should wear you engagement ring on the third finger(middle finger).
brian
Jul 22, 2008 at 5:01 pm
what about the middle finger of the right hand?
EMC
Aug 21, 2008 at 7:02 am
The whole “ring finger” thing came from an ancient culture belief that the finger next to your pinky had a vein in it that ran straight to your heart. This is why this finger was originally chosen when having weddings, engagements, etc. Also, the cake is a symbol of fertility with as many tiers as you would want children, and the veil being over the face was just a superstition of the husband not seeing the face until after he was prepared to say “I do” to a woman for her beauty inside, not out. Everything can be traced back to myths… this one, I happen to believe. Why else would that particular finger be chosen by more than 60% of the world?
beth
Sep 20, 2008 at 4:04 pm
i did not learn anything from these posts. living in the us, i’ve seen engagement and wedding rings on the left hand ring finger. the way you tell if it is an engagement or wedding ring matters on the size of it, simple and elegant being engaged and loud and sparkly meaning married. nothing else really matters. i wear my just for fun rings on my right hand.
John
Nov 17, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Americans are idiots. Engagement rings are worn on the left hand ring finger (next to the pinky). Moved to the right hand ring finger (next to the pinky) once married and the marriage ring is placed on the left ring finger (yes, next to the pinky for those moronic americans).
Bec - since you’re living in the US, I’m assuming you’re an idiot as well… Engagement rings are usually loud and wedding rings are usually elegant and simple.
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