Wedding traditions with the ring

The ring is the best-known symbol of marriage in the world today.

The ring is the best-known symbol of marriage in the world today. It is a circle without end, worn every day, and exchanged in many wedding rites. Its history is older than the diamond, and its meaning varies from place to place.

Where it began

Rings were used as seals and tokens in ancient Egypt and Rome, and Romans gave an iron ring as a pledge. Christian weddings adopted the ring in the early centuries, and the western custom of wearing it on the fourth finger of the left hand is sometimes explained by the vena amoris, a vein believed to lead to the heart, a claim that is not anatomically true. In Jewish weddings the groom gives the bride a plain ring that belongs to him, and in Orthodox churches rings are blessed at the betrothal and exchanged three times.

Different habits

In Germany and Poland many wear the ring on the right hand. In India the toe ring, bichiya, is a married woman's ornament. In Ireland the Claddagh ring is worn with its heart facing in or out, and in Iceland and Scandinavia engagement rings may be worn by both. Many couples now choose plain bands, inherited or recycled gold, or a tattoo or other token.

About this page

Written by the EveryShaadi desk with AI assistance. Background on The ring (symbol). Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.

🇮🇷 Iran and 1 moreNikahnikāḥ (Arabic: نِكَاح) The Islamic marriage contract that establishes a binding union between two people.Vow · Engagement and betrothal

🇩🇪 Hamburg, Germany and 3 moreWimpelווימפל A linen sash made from a baby boy's circumcision cloth that binds the Torah scroll.Adornment · The weeks before 🇲🇽 Mexico and 1 moreLa víbora de la mar A wedding game where the couple stands on chairs while guests form a snake to test their unity.Play · Reception, dance and gifts

🇹🇭 Thailand and 5 moreBride price Wealth paid by the groom or his family to the bride or her kin to formalize a union.Gift custom · Engagement and betrothal

🇮🇪 Ireland and 1 moreHandfastingceangal na lámh (Irish); pòsadh-bliadhna (Scottish Gaelic) A pledge ceremony where a couple joins hands to make a binding marriage contract or engagement.Rite · Engagement and betrothal

🇮🇳 India and 1 moreMayian A pre-wedding cleansing ritual in Punjabi culture where turmeric paste is applied to the couple.Blessing · The weeks before

🇮🇳 IndiaGaye holudগায়ে হলুদ The turmeric ceremony that prepares the Bengali bride and groom for marriageRite · The weeks before

🇮🇱 IsraelErusinאירוסין The first stage of a Jewish marriage that consecrates the bride to the groom.Betrothal · Engagement and betrothal 🇮🇳 IndiaSakharpuda The Maharashtrian engagement rite where sugar and coconuts seal a verbal promise between families.Betrothal · Engagement and betrothal

🇬🇧 United KingdomPage boy A young male member of the bridal party who manages the bride's train or carries the wedding rings.Family role · The ceremony

🇫🇷 Paris, FranceGlobe de mariée A glass bell jar used in France to hold the bride's bouquet and preserve family memories.Adornment · The weeks before

🇮🇱 Israel and 2 moreKetubahכְּתוּבָּה The Jewish marriage contract that outlines the groom's financial and personal obligations to the bride.Vow · Engagement and betrothal

🇮🇱 Israel and 1 moreYibbumייבום A Jewish rite where a brother marries his childless deceased brother's widow to continue the family line.Vow · Engagement and betrothal

🇮🇳 India and 1 moreAnand Karajਅਨੰਦ ਕਾਰਜ The Sikh wedding rite where the couple circles the Guru Granth Sahib to four hymns of union.Rite · Procession and arrival 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 2 moreQuaker wedding A silent ceremony where Friends witness each other's vows without clergy or rigid rituals.Rite · The weeks before

🇷🇴 Romania and 7 moreHorahora (Romanian), horo (Bulgarian), oro (Macedonian), horah (Hebrew) A circle dance held at weddings across Southeast Europe and among Jewish communities worldwide.Performance · Reception, dance and gifts

🇮🇳 India and 5 moreDowry A payment of wealth from the bride's family to the groom or his household at marriage.Gift custom · Engagement and betrothal

🇨🇳 China and 3 moreMarriage coin charm夫妇和合花钱 (fū fù hé hé huā qián) Numismatic amulets from East Asia that carry wedding blessings and fertility symbols.Adornment · Engagement and betrothal

🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreBridesmaid A female attendant who supports the bride during a Western wedding ceremony.Family role · Engagement and betrothal 🇨🇳 China and 1 moreGhost marriage冥婚 (mínghūn) A union arranged for deceased individuals to ensure harmony in the afterlife and care in this one.Rite · Finding a match 🇺🇸 Hawaii, United StatesCommon-law marriage in the United States A legal union formed by mutual consent and public presentation without a license or ceremony.Vow · Engagement and betrothal

🇮🇳 India and 2 moreHindu weddingvivaha (विवाह) The traditional marriage ceremony for Hindus, centered on sacred fire and seven vows.Rite · Engagement and betrothal

🇸🇾 Syria and 3 moreMystery of Crowning The crowning ritual in Eastern Christian weddings that marks the couple as king and queen.Rite · The ceremony

🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreSealing (Mormonism) A temple ritual that binds couples and families together for eternity.Rite · The ceremony 🇵🇱 Kraków, PolandWedding of the Weddings A Polish annual gathering for couples who chose alcohol-free wedding receptions.Feast custom · The ceremony

🇷🇴 Romania and 4 moreCălușariCălușarii A traditional Romanian spring dance and male society known for acrobatic leaps and ritual healing.Performance · The weeks before

🇵🇭 Cebu, PhilippinesCourtship in the Philippines A traditional Filipino courtship marked by serenade, service, and family involvement.Betrothal · Finding a match

🇮🇪 Galway, Ireland and 1 moreMarriage stone A carved stone bearing the initials and date of a newly married couple, placed on a building to mark their union.Adornment · After the wedding 🇩🇪 Germany and 2 moreGet of Cleves A disputed 1766 Jewish divorce document that sparked international rabbinic debate over mental competence.Vow · After the wedding

🇵🇭 Quezon City, PhilippinesBinukot A Visayan custom of secluding young noblewomen to preserve their purity and elevate their marriage value.Betrothal · The weeks before

🇬🇷 Crete, GreeceSoustaΣούστα A Greek courtship dance performed at weddings to display romance and agility.Performance · Procession and arrival

🇮🇳 India and 2 moreNose jewelNath A nose piercing ornament that signals marital status and social standing in South Asia and beyond.Adornment · The weeks before

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

Sealing (Mormonism): NewNameNoah, CC BY 4.0, source
Page boy: Joe Cheng, CC BY 2.0, source
Globe de mariée: Alain Amet, CC BY 4.0, source
Ketubah: Unknown author, Public domain, source
Laavaan: Ashish 100, CC BY 2.0, source
Yibbum: School of Rembrandt, Public domain, source
Hora: Chajeshukarie ( talk ), Public domain, source
Nose jewel: Etan Doronne @ www.myindiaexperience.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Courtship in the Philippines: Markytour777, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Sousta: psyberartist, CC BY 2.0, source
Binukot: Francisco Ignacio Alcina, Public domain, source
Marriage stone: Kim Traynor, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Erusin: LGJMS, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Mayian: Rakzika, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Handfasting: Sander van der Wel, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Gaye holud: Arr4, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Bride price: Пимоненко Николай Корнилиевич, Public domain, source
Dowry: Vassili Vladimirovich Pukiryov, Public domain, source
Wimpel: Wikipedia Loves Art participant " The_Grotto ", CC BY-SA 2.5, source
Nikah: عامر شاہین, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Marriage coin charm: Scott Semans, CC BY 3.0, source
Bridesmaid: Photographer not credited; relative or work for hire of relative., CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Mystery of Crowning: Shakko, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Hindu wedding: Dinesh Cyanam, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Călușari: El bes, CC BY 3.0, source