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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.
Wedding jewellery traditions by culture: 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.
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.
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 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:
Greek Orthodox weddings crown the couple with stefana rather than adding jewellery. See Greek wedding traditions. Muslim weddings include the mahr, a gift from the groom to the bride that is often, though not always, jewellery or gold.
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.
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".
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