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By Forever Farrah Published 2026-09-17.
Wedding jewellery traditions around the world, from rings on the left or right hand to the mangalsutra, Claddagh ring and Chinese dragon and phoenix bangles.
The wedding ring is the most widespread piece of wedding jewellery, but even it differs: most Western couples wear it on the left hand, while in Poland, Russia and Germany it usually goes on the right. Elsewhere, marriage is marked by other pieces entirely. Hindu brides receive a mangalsutra necklace, and in parts of India toe rings and sindoor. Cantonese grooms give a pair of gold dragon and phoenix bangles. The Irish Claddagh ring says whether you're single, engaged or married by how it's worn.
| Culture or country | Piece | What it signals |
|---|---|---|
| Most Western countries | Wedding ring, left hand | Marriage, often exchanged by both partners |
| Poland, Russia, Germany | Wedding ring, right hand | Marriage |
| Hindu weddings, India | Mangalsutra | Marriage, tied by the groom |
| Parts of India | Toe rings, sindoor | Marriage |
| Cantonese weddings | Dragon and phoenix bangles | A harmonious union |
| Ireland | Claddagh ring | Love, friendship and loyalty; status by how it's worn |
| Jewish weddings | Plain ring | Consecration of the marriage |
Customs vary a lot within each country and faith, so treat this as a starting point.
The wedding ring goes back to ancient Rome and Greece, where it was tied to dowry and promises of fidelity. The custom of the left ring finger follows the old idea of a vena amoris, a vein said to run from that finger to the heart. Poland and Russia wear wedding rings on the right hand, and in Germany the ring moves to the right hand after the ceremony.
Styles have changed too. Gimmel rings of the 16th and 17th centuries were interlocking bands that the couple wore separately and joined at the wedding. Poesy rings were bands engraved with short verses. The double-ring ceremony, where both partners get a ring, became customary in the US and Canada during the 20th century. Some Methodist and Quaker traditions historically avoided rings as ornamental.
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At a Jewish wedding the groom places a ring on the bride's finger and says, in the traditional formula, that she is consecrated to him with this ring according to the law of Moses and Israel. Practice differs between Orthodox and Reform communities, including whether both partners give a ring. Jewish wedding traditions explains the ceremony.
The mangalsutra, literally "auspicious thread", is a necklace the groom ties around the bride's neck during a Hindu wedding. It usually features black beads on a black or yellow turmeric thread, and it is mentioned in texts dating to at least the 4th century CE. It has many regional names: in the south, tali or thali can mean the pendant or the whole necklace, and in Tamil it's also called thirumangalyam.
In Northern India, the groom puts sindoor, a red powder, in the bride's hair parting to signify the marriage, and some traditions have him place silver rings on her toes. Bridal sets also include much more, from nose rings to bangles, covered in Indian bridal jewelry explained.
In Cantonese pre-wedding customs, the groom is expected to give the bride a matching pair of dragon and phoenix bracelets, most commonly in gold. The dragon and phoenix together stand for a blissful union. See Chinese wedding traditions.
The Claddagh ring comes from Claddagh in Galway, which has made them continuously since at least 1700. It shows a heart for love, clasped hands for friendship and a crown for loyalty. How it's worn tells its own story:
Couples from two cultures often wear both: a mangalsutra and a wedding band, or gold bangles for the tea ceremony and a ring for the church. Heirloom pieces are a simple way to honour a grandparent. If you're mixing traditions, multicultural wedding ceremony ideas and how to plan a multicultural wedding may help, and wedding dresses around the world covers the outfits.
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In most Western countries, the left. In Poland and Russia it's usually the right hand, and in Germany it moves to the right after the ceremony. Many couples simply follow family custom.
A necklace the groom ties around the bride's neck during a Hindu wedding, usually with black beads on a black or yellow thread. Its name means "auspicious thread".
In Cantonese tradition, the groom gives a pair of dragon and phoenix bangles, usually gold, symbolising a blissful union. Other gold pieces vary by family.
On the left ring finger with the heart facing inward, toward you.
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