When you've just gotten engaged, the practical question quickly arises. Which finger should the ring actually sit on, and is there one particular hand that is the right one? The answer depends on where in the world you are, because the tradition isn't the same everywhere. In Denmark, however, there is a clear and widespread custom that most people follow. Here you'll get the answer to which finger and which hand the engagement ring is worn on here at home, where the custom comes from, and what happens to the ring when the engagement turns into a wedding.

The engagement ring sits on the ring finger of the left hand in Denmark

Here at home, the engagement ring is worn on the ring finger of the left hand. The ring finger is the fourth finger counting from the thumb, that is, the finger between the middle finger and the little finger. It's the same finger that most people later wear their wedding ring on, and that's why it's a finger many associate with marriage and engagement in particular.

The custom is so ingrained in Denmark that a ring on that very finger is often read as a signal that you are engaged or married. If you'd like to know more about what distinguishes the two rings from each other, you can read about the difference between an engagement ring and a wedding ring.

The left hand is the common choice here at home

The engagement ring is worn on the left hand in Denmark and in large parts of Western Europe. It's the most widespread custom, and it applies to most couples. A few countries break with this pattern, however, which is why you may encounter different answers if you ask across borders.

In several countries such as Norway, Germany, Russia and Poland, both the engagement ring and the wedding ring are traditionally worn on the right hand. This means that the hand in itself doesn't reveal anything unambiguous if you travel and meet people from different backgrounds. If you're unsure about where the ring belongs in your own situation, there's more to read about where the engagement ring should sit.

The explanation for the ring finger goes back to an old belief

The choice of the ring finger in particular rests on an old belief that a vein runs directly from this finger to the heart. The Romans called it vena amoris, the vein of love, and the idea was that a ring on the finger thus had a special connection to the emotions. Anatomically the belief doesn't hold up, because there isn't one particular vein from the ring finger to the heart, but the explanation has nevertheless kept the custom alive through the centuries.

In practice there's also a more down-to-earth reason why the ring finger works well. It's used less actively than both the index finger and the middle finger in everyday life, and a ring therefore sits more undisturbed there than on the fingers you use the most.

The ring moves for many people when the engagement becomes a wedding

While the engagement lasts, the ring sits on the left ring finger. When the couple gets married, some choose to move the engagement ring over to the right hand and let the wedding ring take over the spot on the left ring finger. Others wear both rings on the same finger, so they sit side by side.

There is no single fixed rule for how it should be done, and it's entirely up to the individual. Many today choose two rings, one engagement ring and one wedding ring, and then it becomes a question of how best to wear them together. You can read more about which hand the wedding ring should sit on.

It's the same finger for men and women

The engagement ring sits on the left ring finger regardless of gender, and more couples today choose for both of them to wear an engagement ring. The finger and the hand that the custom points to are the same for both parties. If you choose rings that match each other, it becomes clear that the two rings belong together.

How to choose a ring that suits the finger

A classic engagement ring is a solitaire ring with one center stone in a prong setting, and it comes in several shapes such as round, oval, pear, cushion and marquise. The setting lifts the stone up so it catches the light, and the shape of the stone helps determine the ring's expression. If you'd like to read more about this particular type, you can take a closer look at what a solitaire ring is.

At Longvé you'll find, among other things, a round solitaire ring in 14K gold, and the selection of solitaire rings includes several shapes and sizes. If you're looking more broadly, you can see the entire collection of selected engagement rings or browse all rings.

No matter which shape you choose, the ring sits on the same finger, and that's why the fit is important. A ring that sits on the ring finger every day should neither be too tight nor be able to slide off, so it's worth knowing the right size before buying the ring.

You can easily get engaged without a ring

The ring is a visible marker, but it isn't a condition for getting engaged. Some couples choose to propose without a ring and find it together afterwards, so both have a say in the shape, metal and stone. Others skip the ring entirely. If you're curious about that option, you can read about whether you can propose without a ring.