While engagement rings are popular among females, men also wear them to show their commitment to a relationship. It's important for men and women to have equal commitment to a relationship, and wearing an engagement ring is one way to express that you love your future spouse.
Traditions of Wearing Engagement Rings
There are many traditions surrounding the wearing of engagement rings. The tradition is thought to date back to ancient Egypt. Ancient Egyptians wore braided reed rings on their left hands, and the ring finger was thought to be connected to the heart. Today, however, scientists know that this theory is unfounded, but the custom has endured.
Today, engagement rings are exchanged by young couples. While the tradition is relatively new, the ring is still widely worn as a symbol of love and loyalty. Historically, only the affluent could afford to purchase engagement rings made of precious metals. Today, however, engagement rings are affordable and fashionable.
While diamond engagement rings are widely used in modern Western culture, many of them are African-inspired. In Africa, many men still seek permission from the bride's family before engaging. In China, couples have traditionally not exchanged engagement rings, but Western influence in the region has led to a greater number of engagement rings being exchanged. The majority of Chinese couples still receive money and goods as gifts when they are engaged.
Whether or not women wear engagement rings on the left hand is debatable. Some cultures place them on the right hand because of the heart's location. Some countries, however, have their own traditions about engagement rings, and there are also different religious beliefs. For example, in Russia, a woman's ring is typically worn on her right hand.
