When you stand with a new ring in your hand, the question quickly arises. Should it go on the left or right hand, and which finger does it actually belong on? The answer depends on what type of ring it is, and on where in the world the tradition originates. An engagement ring and a wedding ring are each placed in their own spot, and a ring without any particular meaning can be worn wherever you like. Here we go through where the different rings sit in Denmark, why the ring finger in particular has become the fixed spot, and what the tradition looks like if you have roots in several countries.

In Denmark the engagement ring sits on the left hand and the wedding ring on the right

The Danish tradition splits the two rings between the hands. The engagement ring is worn on the left hand's ring finger up until the wedding, and the wedding ring moves over to the right hand's ring finger. The ring finger is the fourth finger, counted from the thumb. (cite index="1-4">The most common explanation is that the engagement ring goes on the left finger because the vein of love runs from the heart to the left ring finger. (cite index="5-2">The wedding ring sits on the right hand because that is the hand used for the ceremony itself in church, when the vow of fidelity is made.

Many people today choose two rings, one engagement ring and one wedding ring, and they are then often worn on separate hands after the wedding. If you want to understand the difference between the two rings and the order in which they are given, it is explained in the article what is the difference between an engagement ring and a wedding ring

The ring finger is the fixed spot for engagement and wedding rings

Both rings belong on the ring finger, that is, the fourth finger. When the engagement turns into marriage, the engagement ring traditionally moves over to the ring finger of the other hand, so the wedding ring can sit at the bottom toward the knuckle. Some wear both rings on the same finger after the wedding, others keep them separate on each hand. There is no rule that forces one solution over the other, and the choice mostly depends on what feels comfortable and how the rings look together.

If the engagement ring and wedding ring sit on the same finger, many choose a simple wedding ring that fits closely against the engagement ring. An eternity rings with diamonds all the way around or a slim half eternity ring works well in that company, because it lies flat against the other ring.

The engagement ring is worn on the left ring finger, also by men

Before the wedding, the engagement ring sits on the left hand's ring finger. This applies regardless of gender, and more couples today choose to both wear an engagement ring. There is no fixed tradition for what an engagement ring should look like, so it can be anything from a simple ring in 14K gold to a solitaire rings with a single center stone in a prong setting. If you want help with where it sits in the time between proposal and wedding, it is elaborated in the article where should the engagement ring sit

The tradition for the wedding ring changes hands from country to country

The placement on the right hand is Danish, but it by no means applies everywhere. (cite index="2-2">Broadly speaking, the wedding ring is worn on the right hand in parts of Northern and Eastern Europe and on the left hand in the English-speaking world as well as in Sweden and Finland. This means that the same ring can belong on either hand, depending on where you grew up.

(cite index="2-3">If you have roots in two countries, you can choose the tradition that means the most to you. Some follow the Danish custom with the wedding ring on the right, others choose the left hand because that is how the family has always done it. Both are equally correct. The question of which hand the wedding ring belongs on is covered in more detail in the article which hand should the wedding ring sit on

Which finger should you wear a ring on if it is not an engagement or wedding ring?

A ring without symbolic meaning can be worn on any finger, and here taste and fit alone decide. A ring on the index finger or middle finger is eye-catching and is often used for a striking design, while the little finger suits a thin, discreet ring. The thumb readily bears a wider ring, because the finger is sturdier than the others.

If you want to wear several rings at once, it often works best to mix widths and find a balance, so the hands do not look overcrowded. A wide signet rings in sterling silver can stand alone on a finger, while slim rings can be stacked on the same finger or spread across several. A complete overview of Longvé's rings can be found in the collection rings.

The ring must fit the finger it is meant to sit on

The placement does not matter much if the ring does not fit. Fingers have different thicknesses, so a ring that sits perfectly on the ring finger is often too small for the middle finger and too large for the little finger. When measuring up a new ring, you should measure the finger the ring is actually meant to sit on. How to find your ring size is explained in the article how to measure ring size