Why is the wedding ring worn on the fourth finger?
By mskzalameda
@mskzalameda (4023)
Philippines
December 13, 2008 10:36pm CST
There is a beautiful and convincing explanation given by the Chinese.Thumb represents your Parents
Second (Index) finger represents your Siblings
Middle finger represents yourSelf
Fourth (Ring) finger represents your Life Partner
& the Last (Little) finger represents your children
Firstly, open your palms (face to face), bend the middle fingers and hold them together - back to back
Secondly, open and hold the remaining three fingers and the thumb - tip to tip
Now, try to separate your thumbs (representing the parents)..., they will open, because your parents are not destined to live with you lifelong, and have to leave you sooner or later.
Please join your thumbs as before and separate your Index fingers (representing siblings)...., they will also open, because your brothers and sisters will have their own families and will have to lead their own separate lives.
Now join the Index fingers and separate your Little fingers (representing your children)...., they will open too, because the children also will get married and settle down on their own some day.
Finally, join your Little fingers, and try to separate your Ring fingers (representing your spouse).
You will be surprised to see that you just CANNOT, because Husband & Wife have to remain together all their lives - through thick and thin!!
2 people like this
7 responses
@bellebads (740)
• Philippines
14 Dec 08
yeah you're right, i even try this with my fingers. this really describe our relationship with our family. and it only means one thing we must not divorce our spouse.lol
@oldboy46 (2129)
• Australia
7 Jan 09
This is a new explanation to me and rather an interesting one as well. It highlights how different cultures have similar customs but they also have different reasons or explanations on why things are done a certain way.
I was always told that it came from the Egyptian times when the ring was a circle and so the symbol of eternity. It was sort of like it had no beginning and no end, just as time does not. Other ancient cultures held the same belief according to mythology.
Many of the people from the ancient cultures, i.e. Egyptians Greeks and Romans for example wore the wedding ring on the third finger of the left hand. The reason for this was because of their belief that the vein from the third finger of the left hand travelled from the heart. The Romans were the ones who used the Latin word meaning “the vein of love” and so down through the centuries the wedding ring had been worn on the third finger of the left hand.
Note that it used to be the third finger as they did not include the thumb, so counting the first finger which can also be called the index or pointer finger then the middle finger, then the third finger and then the little finger which can also be called the pinkie.
1 person likes this
@oldboy46 (2129)
• Australia
1 Feb 09
Thanks for giving me best response for your discussion. I took a copy of your discussion and showed it to some friends. They had great fn seeing how it worked as it was new to my friends as well, so thanks for telling us something we never knew before. 
@grecychunny26 (9483)
• Philippines
24 Mar 09
you have a very good explanation, even I, don't know the reason why the ring must be worn on the fourth finger. Do you know the meaning of engagement ring?
1 person likes this
@mskzalameda (4023)
• Philippines
24 Mar 09
Hmm I have no idea regarding the meaning of engagement ring sorry and thanks for answering :)
@Pitgull (1522)
• United States
14 Dec 08
To me, the middle finger form the top part of a heart, the bottom being your thumbs. I have seen this before, but had forgotten it and I thank you for the reminder. Truly beautiful, and you are right, convincing...
Kudos to you...
and positive rating...
:)
2 people like this
@mskzalameda (4023)
• Philippines
14 Dec 08
it is a pleasure sharing this wonderful piece 
and BTW, thanks for the positive rating
and BTW, thanks for the positive rating 
@Remembering1996 (2219)
• United States
14 Dec 08
Very interesting I never have heard this befor this is my first time good piece of news to hear. I will have to remember that from now on. I will have to share this with a friend for it's a good one to know.
1 person likes this
@mskzalameda (4023)
• Philippines
15 Dec 08
yes, spread the word so that they'll know this nice information.
@mskzalameda (4023)
• Philippines
15 Dec 08
yes it is. I am also amazed when I stumble upon this entry shared by a friend.
