Why do we wear our wedding ring on our left ring finger?

A tradition since ancient times, marriage has for millennia been the institution that joins a couple before the law in order to form a family. The spouses exchange a ring as a symbol of their reciprocal commitments. But why does the wedding ring have to be worn on the left ring finger? The explanations are numerous and often come from legends or ancestral theories.

A tradition from Greek civilisation

In ancient times, during the time of Hippocrates, Greek physicians thought that a vein ran directly from the heart to the left ring finger. Nicknamed the “vein of love”, it resulted in the wedding ring, a symbol of union, being worn on the left ring finger. This custom was taken up again by the Romans.

A tradition from religion

Another explanation comes from a 17th century Christian custom. During the wedding ceremony, while saying “in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”, the priest touched in turn the thumb, the forefinger and the middle finger with the wedding ring, and when it was time to say “Amen”, he slipped the ring on the ring finger.

A tradition shaped by Chinese culture

A third theory comes from Asia, more specifically from China. For the Chinese, each finger represents a part of your family:

• The thumb symbolises your parents

• The index finger symbolises your siblings

• The middle finger symbolises yourself

• The ring finger symbolises your spouse

• The little finger symbolises your descendants, your children.

To better understand, take the following test:

Place both hands together, palm to palm. Fold your middle fingers down. Try to pull your thumbs, which represent your parents, apart. You can, because your parents are meant to teach you how to stand on your own two feet.

Now try to separate your index fingers. You can easily do so, because your siblings are also destined to start their own families.

Now do the same with your little fingers. You can easily separate them, because, like your parents did for you, you will teach your children to become self-reliant, independent.

Now try it with your ring fingers. It’s impossible to separate them. You and your spouse are joined by a unique bond. You are destined to stay together for life! Surprising, isn’t it?

A pragmatic tradition

Another, less poetic, explanation is that there are more right-handed people than left-handed people. Thus, if the wedding ring is worn on the left hand, it is less likely to be damaged.

The ring finger and the little finger are the two least-used fingers. There is thus less risk of damaging the ring, yet the little finger is small and the ring would be too little to adorn lavishly (given that, especially in the Middle Ages, wedding rings had many decorations).

The wedding ring is worn on the left hand in many countries. But not in all. Indeed, in Spain (except Catalonia), Germany, Austria, Poland, Russia, Brazil, Lebanon and more, they wear the wedding ring on the right hand.

Right hand or left hand, the team at Bijouterie Molitor looks forward to helping you find the wedding ring of your dreams! ♥

The rapper Gims creates a vase for the Daum crystal factory

Maître Gims, the renowned French rap artist, has created a magnificent vase for the Daum crystal factory. It is not the first time that the Nancy crystal manufacturer has teamed up with a major name. Indeed, the company has an array of collaborations to boast about, including with painter and sculptor Salvador Dalí and with drummer Katché.

“It was a real human encounter. These collaborations are the strength of our family business,” asserts Vanessa Sitbon, communications and digital manager at Daum. She goes on to say that, “we wanted to partner with Gims and he wanted to develop his art.”

Daum x Gims, where arts meet

Before becoming known for his songs, Gims studied Fine Arts (graphic design, communication and applied arts). Inspired by his Congolese origins, the singer sought to "pay tribute to Africa" with this vase called Origin.

It took nearly a year to create the vase. After learning about the techniques used by Maison Daum, Gims made a sketch of his design. “After this meeting, he immediately drew a vase. He expected some touch-ups. But this drawing was so technical that we were stunned," continues Vanessa Sitbon. The pieces were then handcrafted by the craftspeople at Daum using the lost wax casting technique.

Crafted in blue crystal paste, the vase stands 56 centimetres tall and weighs 30 kilograms. The resulting creation is a sculpture-like vase with the features of African masks and Art Deco influences, thus reflecting the singer's bicultural background between France and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The piece will be released in a limited edition of eight units to be sold through the Maison Daum distribution network. Moreover, when the health situation so allows, a vase “will be sold on the occasion of a charity sale organised by Gims for the benefit ofUNICEF ”, states the communications manager.

Le rappeur Gims crée un vase pour la cristallerie Daum de Nancy

Maître Gims, le célèbre rappeur français, a confectionné un magnifique vase pour la cristallerie Daum. Ce n’est pas la première fois que la cristallerie nancéienne s’allie à de grands noms. En effet, la maison revendique de nombreuses collaborations, du peintre et sculpteur Savador Dalí, au batteur Manu Katché.

« Ça a été une véritable rencontre humaine. Ces collaborations font la force de notre entreprise familiale », se remémore Vanessa Sitbon, responsable communication et digital de la maison Daum. Elle ajoute, « on voulait s’associer à Gims et lui voulait développer son art ».

Daum x Gims, à la croisée des arts

Avant d’être connu pour ses chansons, Gims a suivi des études aux Beaux-Arts (graphisme et communication – arts appliqués). Inspiré par ses origines congolaises, le chanteur souhaitait « rendre hommage à l’Afrique » avec ce vase, baptisé « Origine ».

La conception du vase a nécessité environ un an. Après avoir pris connaissance des techniques de la maison Daum, Gims a livré un dessin papier. « Après ce rendez-vous, il a dessiné immédiatement un vase. Il s’attendait à ce que l’on apporte des retouches. Mais ce dessin était tellement technique que l’on en était estomaqué », poursuit Vanessa Sitbon. Les pièces ont ensuite été travaillées à la main par les artisans de la maison Daum, suivant la technique du moulage à la cire perdue.

Conçu en pâte de cristal bleu, le vase mesure 56 centimètres et pèse 30 kg. Il évoque une sculpture sous les traits de masques africains aux influences Art déco et s’inspire du reflet de la biculture du chanteur, évoquant la France et la République démocratique du Congo.

Lancées en huit exemplaires, ces pièces uniques seront diffusées via le réseau de distribution de la maison Daum. Enfin, quand la situation sanitaire le permettra, un vase « sera vendu à l’occasion d’une vente de charité organisée par Gims au profit de l’UNICEF », indique la responsable de communication.