E: 09/08 - Win a 9K Moonlight Topaz & White Topaz Yellow Gold Pendant (email)

gavrc

From email Newsletter.
What is the origin of the third finger on the left hand as being the "wedding ring finger" in most cultures?
A. Ancient Greeks believed the "vein of love" ran directly from the heart to this finger.
B. Ancient Egyptians believed that a ring on this finger signified a weakness for someone since this finger is the weakest in strength.
C. Ancient Sumerians were more practical. A ring on this finger was simply least likely to be damaged during the workday.

Send your answer to [EMAIL="quiz@rocksandco.com"]quiz@rocksandco.com[/EMAIL] by 9th August, 2011. Please remember to put "Rocks Quiz" in the subject field.

gav

kenstu64

I was just told this recently.

A. Ancient Greeks believed the "vein of love" ran directly from the heart to this finger. :A

gavrc

Internet isn't helping today. A and B feature, occasionally mixed up!
It's up to you unless someone can PM me with a definitive answer.

gav

gavrc

wiki's best answer is A but it is a Roman idea nicked by the Greeks.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_finger

gav

JamboDP

Why was a particular finger called the ring finger? There was an ancient belief that a very vital blood vessel ran from the ring finger on the left hand directly to the heart. It was therefore thought appropriate, that a ring that symbolized true love should be worn on the ring finger. The vein was given the name 'vena amori' meaning 'the vein of love'. The Egyptians and Romans believed that, the wedding ring which symbolized eternal love would best be worn on the ring finger of the left hand.
As medical science developed, it became apparent that the ancient belief was wrong and there was really no 'vein of love' that ran from the ring finger on the left hand to the heart! However, the practice of referring to that particular finger as the ring finger has continued to this day.
Besides the strong belief in the vein of love, there is another interesting school of thought that tries to explain why a finger was named as the ring finger. In a Christian wedding, the priest normally says the following four phrases: (i) In the name of the Father. (ii) In the name of the Son. (iii) And of the Holy Ghost. (iv) Amen. As these words are uttered, the ring is moved one finger at a time from the thumb, to the index finger, on to the middle finger and finally moved to (and left) on the ring finger when the fourth phrase 'Amen' is uttered. This finger was therefore called the ring finger according to traditions followed in a Christian wedding