Yes, men do wear wedding rings, but the question of whether men wear them cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. It depends on culture, history and personal choice, so let's take a closer look.
Key Takeaways
- Short answer: yes, many men wear a wedding ring, and it is a personal choice.
- History: men only really started wearing wedding rings in the early 20th century.
- Which hand: left in Australia, New Zealand, the USA and the UK, and right in many other countries.
- Which finger: the fourth finger, known as the ring finger, is the most common choice.
- The meaning matters most: why a man wears his ring is more important than where.
Do Men Wear Wedding Rings?
Let's be honest, in a modern world and an all-embracing society, the question of whether men do wear wedding rings or not cannot be answered with a simple yes or no.
Historically in many cultures it was only women who wore wedding rings, and it should be noted that men only really started wearing wedding rings in the early 20th century - prior to this it was impractical as most men worked on farms or in manufacturing and could potentially lose their ring or have it contribute to accidents.
Which Hand Do Men Wear a Wedding Ring On?
It depends on where you live and the customs you grew up with. Traditionally, in many English-speaking western countries such as Australia, New Zealand, USA and UK men wear their wedding rings on their left hand.
However, there are plenty of countries where it is considered proper to wear your wedding ring on your right hand, including many European countries like Greece, Belgium, Austria and Spain, South American countries such as Columbia, Venezuela, and Peru, and even Jordan and Russia.
| Hand | Where it is traditional |
|---|---|
| Left hand | Many English-speaking western countries, such as Australia, New Zealand, USA and UK |
| Right hand | Many European countries like Greece, Belgium, Austria and Spain |
| Right hand | South American countries such as Columbia, Venezuela and Peru |
| Right hand | Jordan, Russia and India |
In India, the left hand is considered impure, so the wedding ring is traditionally worn on the right hand.
Why Men Wear a Wedding Ring
We should be considering the significance of a wedding ring, rather than worrying about where men, or women, wear their wedding ring. A ring is a circle, and a circle is a symbol of eternity, without beginning or end, symbolising eternal love and the never-ending bond of marriage.
- Eternal love: a circle has no beginning or end.
- Commitment: the exchange of wedding rings on the wedding day is an emblem of eternal love and commitment within a relationship.
- A public sign: the ring is worn to show the world they are married.
Where a woman or man chooses to wear their rings is another matter. If you are looking for a ring for yourself or your partner, browse our wedding rings.
On Which Finger Should Men Wear Their Wedding Ring?
Once again, there are many answers to this question, depending on your culture and beliefs. The ancient Romans believed that the vein in the fourth finger of the left hand ran directly to the heart, and nicknamed it the Vena Amoris, or the "vein of love".
Unfortunately, no such vein exists, but this romantic tradition has lasted for centuries, at least in the Western world, and that finger has become known as the ring finger. However, which finger do men wear their wedding ring can be complicated to answer!
- The ring finger: the fourth finger, linked to the Vena Amoris, is the most traditional choice in the Western world.
- Thumbs or a necklace: some wear their ring on a thumb, or even on a necklace.
- Your culture and beliefs: the answer depends on both.
Changing Hands Around the Wedding Day
How about men wearing their wedding ring on the right hand until the wedding day, then switching to the left as they do in Brazil and Turkey? Or the other way around if you are German?
| Country | Before the wedding | After the wedding |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | Right hand | Left hand |
| Turkey | Right hand | Left hand |
| Germany | Left hand | Right hand |
The point isn't so much where men wear their wedding rings, as why they wear them, and the consensus is they do it to show the world their love and devotion to their partner.
Choosing a Men's Wedding Ring
Once you know where the ring will be worn, you can focus on the ring itself. Here are the points we talk through with the people who ask us.
- Metal: choose rose gold, yellow gold or white gold. We use recycled gold in our rings.
- Style: our designs are inspired by nature, so you will find textured and organic detail as well as plainer bands.
- Fit: if you are unsure of your size, call or email us and we will help you find the right fit.
- Sentiment: pick a ring that is individual and personal to you.
See our full range of men's wedding rings and compare designs side by side.
What You Get When You Buy From Us
Every ring we make is handcrafted by us in Perth. Here is what comes with your order.
- Free express shipping: on all orders.
- Lifetime warranty: on every ring.
- Free ring resizing: so you can order with confidence.
- 5 trees planted: with every order.
- Custom designs: we can talk you through a custom option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do men wear wedding rings?
Yes, many men do, although it cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. Men only really started wearing wedding rings in the early 20th century, and the choice of hand and finger depends on culture and personal belief. The meaning of the ring matters most.
Which hand do men wear a wedding ring on?
In English-speaking western countries such as Australia, New Zealand, the USA and the UK, men traditionally wear their wedding ring on the left hand. In many other countries, such as Greece, Belgium, Austria, Spain, Russia and India, the right hand is traditional.
Which finger do men wear a wedding ring on?
The ancient Romans believed the vein in the fourth finger of the left hand ran directly to the heart, so that finger became known as the ring finger. No such vein exists, but the tradition has lasted for centuries in the Western world.
Why did men start wearing wedding rings in the 20th century?
Before the early 20th century it was impractical, as most men worked on farms or in manufacturing and could lose their ring or have it contribute to accidents. Today the ring is worn to show the world their love and devotion to their partner.
Can I have a custom men's wedding ring made?
Yes. Every ring is handcrafted by us in Perth, so we can talk you through a custom option. Call or email us with your idea, and see our page on custom engagement and wedding rings.
Find Your Wedding Ring
Whether you choose to wear them on fingers, thumbs or even on a necklace the important thing is to find uniquely crafted rings that are individual and personal, and that is exactly what we believe when we design our fine jewellery at Vinny and Charles.
We craft contemporary pieces using top-quality materials and gemstones, inspired by nature and always working towards being more sustainable and eco-friendly. Here is how to get started.
- Browse: see our full range of men's wedding rings.
- Customise: ask about a custom ring.
- Talk to us: call +61 8 6323 8494 or email info@vinnyandcharles.com.
Your wedding ring says a lot about you and should be worn with pride wherever you choose to wear it!
