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.
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.
🇩🇪 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
🇮🇹 Rome, ItalyWeddings in ancient Rome
The religious ceremonies and attire that marked a union in the city of Rome before the rise of Christianity.Rite · The weeks before
🇷🇺 RussiaRussian wedding traditionsРусская свадьба
A multi-day celebration blending Orthodox crowning, ransom games, and lively toasting in Russia.Rite · Engagement and betrothal
🇮🇳 IndiaOdia Hindu weddingBahaghara (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ବାହାଘର)
The traditional Hindu marriage ceremony of the Odia people in Odisha, India.Rite · Engagement and betrothal
🇪🇬 Egypt and 5 moreArab weddingزفاف or فرح or عرس
A series of family-centered rites and processions that mark marriage across the Arab world.Rite · Finding a match
🇮🇳 IndiaTelugu Hindu weddingతెలుగు వివాహ వేడుక
A multi-day Telugu Hindu marriage marked by seven vows around fire and family rituals.Rite · Finding a match
🇮🇳 IndiaHindi wedding songs
Film and folk music that accompanies the stages of a North Indian Hindu wedding.Performance · Engagement and betrothal
🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 2 moreWhite wedding
A formal Western ceremony marked by a white bridal gown and traditional Christian rituals.Attire · Engagement and betrothal
🇺🇦 UkraineTraditional Ukrainian weddingТрадиційне українське весілля
A multi-day sequence of folk rites, bread baking and church vows that marks the transition from maidenhood to married liRite · Finding a match
🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreWedding superstitions
Traditional beliefs about luck and omens that shape wedding rituals across culturesAttire · The weeks before
🇮🇳 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
🇩🇪 GermanyLandshut WeddingLandshuter Hochzeit
A four-year historical pageant in Bavaria re-enacting the 1475 royal marriage of George and Hedwig.Setting · Engagement and betrothal
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Russian wedding traditions: GeorgeLouis, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Odia Hindu wedding: Aditya Mahar, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Wimpel: Wikipedia Loves Art participant " The_Grotto ", CC BY-SA 2.5, source
- Interfaith marriage in Christianity: Andreas Praefcke, CC BY 3.0, source
- Laavaan: Ashish 100, CC BY 2.0, source
- Landshut Wedding: Oktobersonne, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Weddings in ancient Rome: Meister der Aldobrandinischen Hochzeit, Public domain, source
- Traditional Ukrainian wedding: Пимоненко, Николай Корнильевич, Public domain, source
- Wedding superstitions: Anonymous Unknown author, Public domain, source
- Arab wedding: 13th century artist, Public domain, source