<P> Modernly, after marriage the wedding ring is worn on the hand on which it had been placed during the ceremony . By wearing rings on their fourth fingers, married spouses symbolically declare their life - long love for and fidelity to each other . This symbol has public utility, and is presently expected as a matter of tradition and etiquette, so much so that its absence is often interpreted as meaning that the person is single . Many spouses wear their wedding rings day and night . When needed because of hygiene or to avoid damage, they commonly wear their rings on a necklace . </P> <P> Some cultures exchange additional rings: In some parts of India, Hindu women may wear a toe ring or "bichiya" instead of a finger ring, but the bichiya is increasingly worn in addition to a finger ring . In eastern India, primarily in West Bengal, women wear an iron bangle denominated a "loha". Increasingly, this bangle is plated with gold or silver to improve its appearance . In Romania, spouses celebrate their silver wedding anniversary, i.e., twenty - fifth anniversary, by exchanging silver wedding rings, which are worn on the fourth finger of the left hands along with their original, and usually gold, wedding rings . </P> <Ul> <Li> Church of England (Book of Common Prayer of 1662): "With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost . Amen ." </Li> <Li> Eastern Orthodoxy: In the Eastern Orthodox Service of Betrothal, the priest makes the Sign of the Cross with rings over the bride's head while declaring three times "The servant of God (Groom) is betrothed to the handmaid of God (Bride), in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit . Amen". Next, it is declared three times again over the bride's head with the names reversed, after which the rings are exchanged three times, either by the priest or best man . The priest asks God "to bless this putting on of rings with a heavenly blessing and that an Angel of the Lord will go before these Your servants, all the days of their life ." In the Eastern Orthodox Church, wedding rings are traditionally worn on the right hand . </Li> <Li> Judaism: "You are consecrated to me with this ring according to the law of Moses and Israel ." The groom declares this in Hebrew in Orthodox Judaism and both the bride and groom declare it in Reform Judaism . </Li> <Li> Roman Catholic Church: "N., take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity . In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit ." Because the equality of the spouses is emphasized in the Roman Catholic Sacrament of Marriage, generally the bride and groom each give to the other a wedding ring and recite the above formula in turn . </Li> </Ul> <Li> Church of England (Book of Common Prayer of 1662): "With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost . Amen ." </Li>

The symbol of the wedding ring in christianity