On which hand are wedding rings worn in Russia and other countries?

A wedding or altar ring is a symbol of marriage, fidelity and devotion to a partner. Legal spouses wear wedding rings on the left or right hand, which largely depends on the accepted traditions or religion. But is the ring finger always used to wear this symbolic jewelry? Let's figure out which finger the wedding ring is worn on in different countries by representatives of different faiths and nationalities.

The history of rings, including wedding rings, begins with Ancient Egypt - they served as a symbol of power and its continuity, indicating the status of the owner

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Content

1. On which finger to wear a wedding ring? Why is a wedding ring worn on the ring finger?
2. Can I wear an engagement ring before marriage?

Buddhists

There is also no place for rings in the Buddhist ritual - during the ritual, five Buddhist monks read mantras around the bride and groom and fumigate the couple with incense. But according to Buddhist ideas about the vital energy of the human body, the ring finger is responsible for the husband or wife, which means that a married person can wear a ring with ritual inscriptions on it, that is, a husband and wife can exchange memorial rings.

But more often they do this according to secular laws in the registry office. The decision to wear or not wear a ring after the death of a spouse remains with the widowed person. However, various beliefs, of which Buddhists have many, often interfere with his decision. For example, by continuing to wear a ring, a person connects himself with the deceased.

Which finger to wear a wedding ring on?

There is no official legislation on this matter. It's all about traditions, family foundations, and, ultimately, comfort for each spouse. In Russia, the customs of Orthodoxy are more widespread, and according to them, when getting married, the bride and groom put wedding rings on each other’s ring finger of their right hand.

After the wedding, it happens that one of the spouses puts the wedding ring in a home box - it is not very convenient, or expensive and valuable, the jewelry has become small or, on the contrary, flies off the finger. There is nothing terrible about this: some models, especially if they are decorated with stones, are really indecent to wear every day at work, and constantly taking off and putting on a wedding ring when doing household chores can lead to the loss of the jewelry. Not all models will be handled by a jeweler if it is necessary to change the size of the jewelry. For many objective reasons, it is permissible to wear a wedding ring on any other finger, including if the size of the ring finger has changed. Focus only on your individual conditions, be guided by rational reasons and choose the solution that is right for you, regardless of popular wisdom, advice from friends, or centuries-old traditions.

Why is a wedding ring worn on the ring finger?

Different countries have their own stories that have survived to our times: in the east it was believed that only the ring fingers have a connection with the heart, and Slavic beliefs claim that each finger of the hand is assigned an invisible connection with the family. The large ones symbolize our parents, the index fingers symbolize sisters, brothers, close relatives, the middle ones symbolize the person himself, the little finger is assigned the symbol of our children. And the nameless ones correspond to the spouses.

The legend that we remembered at the very beginning sounds very beautiful: they say that by folding the middle fingers, that is, ourselves, it is impossible to tear the nameless ones away from each other and the spouses, having entered into marriage, will forever remain an inseparable couple.

Do not try to repeat this trick with yogis or, for example, pianists. Many hours of daily exercise, training the strength and flexibility of fingers, fine motor skills will quickly depreciate this beautiful legend.

Can I wear an engagement ring before marriage?

Of course, choosing jewelry is not complete without trying on dozens or even hundreds of rings, but if someone really wants to wear a piece of jewelry before the wedding day, do it.

See how beautiful the engagement ring looks on your hand while no one is looking, and put it back in the box before the appointed date. The pleasure of contemplating the beauty of precious stones and fine jewelry work will temporarily only come from your engagement ring: it can be worn permanently, before the wedding and after.

No bad omens, of course, will work if the couple expresses a desire to wear wedding rings before the wedding. But definitely, the wedding ceremony itself will no longer be as sublime if before the wedding the newlyweds simply take off their rings, and during the ceremony they put them on each other again. However, some are ready to put rings on each other at least every day: romance is a purely personal thing, but also an integral part of married life.

Superstitions

Signs

According to most people, wedding accessories are magical symbols of the marital union of souls. Therefore, it is not surprising that many different signs and beliefs are associated with them. Here are some of them:

1. You should not let anyone try on your jewelry , as you will thereby let someone try on your happiness.
2. If your friend touches the attribute after registration , then soon she too will get married.
3. You cannot use rings that you received from divorced or widowed people , because they can bring you the same fate.
4. But if you use jewelry from grandparents who happily spent their entire married life together, then this, on the contrary, is good and will bring you the same luck in family relationships.
5. If you drop it during the ceremony, it means bad luck in the family.
6. And if you lose it , it means divorce.
7. Do not put a wedding accessory on a glove , because in this case your connection with your chosen one will not be strengthened. If the image includes such a thing, then remove it first.
8. It is unfortunate to acquire symbols of love at different times and in different places .
9. Don't engrave the outside - it promises an uneven life.
10. Do not wear rings before the wedding , as they must be together before registration, otherwise their strength will be impaired, which will lead to misunderstandings, quarrels and discord.

Why don't they film it?

• It is generally accepted that in this case the connection between husband and wife is broken , and their union will face troubles;
• others may think that you are looking for a soul mate ;
• This can offend your lover.

Who wears it on the left hand

Russia is a hospitable, multinational country, and different peoples have their own traditions, which would take quite a long time to list. Here are just a few options why the wedding ring is worn on the finger of the left hand:

• It is more comfortable
• These are the traditions of Catholic, Muslim or other denomination
• The spouses belong to different nationalities and beliefs, but agreed to wear rings on their left hands
• Decoration means the person is divorced

Muslims

According to the Koran, a Muslim man has no right to wear gold, it defiles the flesh, but he can wear a thin silver ring, the weight of which should not exceed 4.375 grams. There is a ban on wearing rings on the index and middle fingers; these prohibitions do not apply to women.

In Islam there is no custom of exchanging rings; moreover, there is a ban on imitation of other religions. The Islamic hadith scholar Abu Dawud said: “Whoever imitates any people is one of them.”

However, in Islam it is permissible to give rings to a wife for a wedding, but only as a wedding gift, and a woman can wear them the way she wants. A man can wear a silver ring as a sign to others that he is married, but there is no spiritual meaning attached to this jewelry.

If a Muslim woman remains a widow, then according to the Koran she is ordered to maintain a certain period of mourning - Iddah, after which she is considered free. There are no guidelines regarding rings, except that all gifts belong to the woman. There are no special regulations for widowers at all.

What does a wedding ring on the right hand mean?

In fact, the explanations are exactly the same as for the left hand, it all depends on habits and traditions. The only thing that can be added is that owners of wedding rings, if they are left-handed, despite all the recommendations, may well change the jewelry to their right hand, since for them the left hand is dominant. And since it performs all the actions, the ring can simply get in the way.

After divorce

First, decide for yourself whether to wear it or not to wear it. Neither secular nor religious etiquette have any rules or even recommendations on this matter, leaving the choice to the owner of the ring after the divorce.

In case you want to continue to shine with the ring - it is dear to you, despite the failed relationship, it is very beautiful, you are used to it for a million other reasons, the jewelry is worn on the other hand. That is, if at the wedding the wedding ring was worn on the right, after the divorce it is worn on the left and vice versa. An unconventional solution is also possible: a wedding ring (even together with an engagement ring) is hung on a chain and is a stylish alternative to a pendant: fashionable, beautiful, and versatile.

But in addition to traditions, it is worth taking into account the issue of the emotional sphere - whether others will have questions about their marital status, or whether they will have to experience awkwardness, having to explain themselves in front of a less than well-educated public. This aspect also needs to be considered before changing the position of the wedding jewelry.

Adviсe

In conclusion, some tips for choosing and purchasing:

• According to statistics from jewelry factories, the fashion for wedding rings changes every year. At the same time, the greatest demand occurs consistently in summer and early autumn. It is by this time that manufacturers expand their range as much as possible and update collections, so even if you decide to get married in winter, buy rings in September .
• If you still have an expensive and beautiful ring from your first marriage, do not use it as an engagement ring in your next marriage. If you don't believe in the energy of things, consider it just a bad omen .
• If money is short before the wedding, buy silver wedding rings . Many jewelry manufacturers offer such budget, but very nice and stylish products. They are often made in vintage style, which is especially popular now. More expensive gold ones can be given to each other, say, on the fifth wedding anniversary, and then they will become a real symbol of love, family and fidelity.

Original bvlgari wedding rings are the choice for connoisseurs of luxury and style. Read our article about a beautiful old Russian matchmaking ritual.

How should you properly prepare for the sacrament of a wedding in church? Everything about the wedding ceremony.

Traditions of different pages and religions

The most important word here is traditions: not laws, not strict regulations, not clear recommendations or guidelines. Traditions are an expression of habits, customs that have developed over centuries and nothing more. To accept them or not is the voluntary choice of each person.

Notice how great the differences are between the characteristics of wearing wedding rings among many nations, but family happiness is, on average, the same for everyone. Some wear rings on their right hand, others wear jewelry on their left, middle or ring finger, index or even little finger. Many couples do not pay any attention to which finger the ring is worn on: the middle finger is more comfortable for the husband, the ring finger for the wife, but it is unlikely that this difference affects the feelings and relationships in the couple.

In Russia

If we take into account the traditions that have developed since ancient times, then in our country the wedding ceremony instructs the bride and groom to put wedding rings on the ring fingers of their right hand. This custom can be explained quite rationally: our Slavic ancestors crossed themselves with their right hand, used it to do all the housework, pay for purchases, take many household items, and also gave alms.

The right hand was considered life-giving, dominant - a wedding ring was placed on its ring finger. It is worth noting that engagement rings were not common in Russia for a long time, although in the Middle Ages some semblance of such a tradition still existed. The groom expressed his intentions to marry precisely by gifts to his future wife and members of her family. Among others, the gifts included a ring. For many reasons, mainly economic, this custom gradually faded into history, but is being successfully revived in our time.

In the USA and Europe

American traditions are completely opposite to Russian ones: both the engagement and the wedding ring are placed on the left hand of the future wife. This is where geography and the customs of different religions come into play. In the United States, most believers adhere to the Catholic denomination, where it is customary to wear rings on the left hand.

But with European countries everything is not so simple. Brides and grooms in the western part, as in the United States, do not hesitate to extend their left hand on their wedding day, while the eastern part, although not all, for the most part, like Russians, wear wedding rings on their right hand. And such a trifle does not at all separate loving hearts from different countries.

Of course, if we analyze the traditions in detail, by country, some confusion will arise: for example, Spanish couples, Polish or Norwegian right-handed couples, while France or England, Ireland, Slovenia and a number of others prescribe wearing rings on the left hand. By the way, even with little sunny Spain, misunderstandings can arise - proud Catalonia, long before its separation from the Spanish state, always wore wedding rings on its right hand. But who can stop such details if love and family happiness are at stake!

Muslims

This is not an easy question, because for men, Islamic traditions do not provide for such an attribute as wedding rings. But the east is a mysterious matter, so sometimes everything depends on the geography of residence of the bride and groom. The fact is that in ancient centuries, rulers of different countries were happy to teach ordinary people about fashion: for example, a decree of the Shah could command the wearing of a wedding ring on the index finger, and his colleague in the neighborhood, in order to be different, ordered to get engaged only with rings on the little fingers. It’s easy to guess that there were 10 wearing options, based on the number of fingers on both hands.

Nowadays, this whole complex system has more or less come to a single result, and Muslims, like the majority of those getting married around the world, more often wear wedding rings on their ring fingers. Right or left hand - depends on the country of residence. There is, however, a nuance: men wearing gold, to put it mildly, is not recommended, so silver, platinum, a non-standard shape of a wedding ring and many other tricks are used. If a man wears jewelry that vaguely resembles a wedding ring, for example, on his little finger or even his index finger or thumb, this may also well mean that he is married.

Jews

Jews make up the largest part of the adherents of this denomination, and it is also impossible to say that there is a single rite of marriage here. It all depends on how strong the faith of those entering into marriage is, whether the bride and groom follow the canons of the Torah (the holy book of the Jews), and whether they want to live in respect for the traditions of their parents, ancestors, and the nation as a whole.

For secular youth, the wearing of rings by husband and wife is not prohibited; the style of jewelry, hand and fingers are chosen at the request of the future spouses. But for God-fearing young people, honoring the traditions and prescriptions of the Torah is sacred: wearing a ring for a man is inappropriate. Therefore, during the ceremony of initiation into a wife, the ring is worn only by the bride, and on the index finger of the left hand (in Jerusalem - on the middle one).

It is characteristic that the decoration is on this finger only until the end of the ceremony, and then the young wife puts it on and subsequently wears it on any one convenient for her. It is easy to come to the conclusion that most women prefer the nameless one that is already familiar to everyone, just like a man who decides to follow secular traditions. The choice of hand does not matter.

What does the ring symbolize?

According to one version, in ancient times, when the presence of any rings: gold, silver, iron, testified to the well-being of their owner.

The future husband brought them as a gift to his bride's parents as a sign that he was able to support his wife and she would not need anything.

According to another theory, in ancient times the ring symbolized infinity , therefore, by wearing this symbolic jewelry, the newlyweds made a vow of boundless and immortal love.

The third version says that the rings are links in the chain that connected husband and wife. The spouses wore them as a sign of the inviolability of the bonds by which they were bound.

Unusual wedding rings on the hands of famous people

Today it is very difficult to surprise someone with the shape, design or material of a ring; the choice of jewelry is fantastically huge. Public figures have only one thing left to do: compete in the cost of wedding rings, the size of the stones, the quality of their cut, and the color of the inserts, which is unusual for wedding jewelry. Kim Kardashian, Beyoncé, Holly Berry, Paris Hilton - they all happily show off rings with diamonds, emeralds of several carats and worth millions of dollars.

The beautiful Anna Kournikova does not lag behind Western celebrities - her ring is incredibly expensive and at the same time not typical for the Hollywood star party: an Australian pink diamond of excellent quality, purity of color, and transparency at one time conquered even the most unscrupulous paparazzi.

As a result, for celebrities, better almost always means more, and the unusualness of wedding or engagement rings most often fades into the background. The same cannot be said about the aristocracy: moderation, high style, classic design are the main priorities when choosing wedding rings for members of royal families in different countries.

Is it safe to wear a wedding ring?

Wearing a wedding ring may be unsafe in some cases. For representatives of some professions in some countries (for example, in the UK for medical personnel), there is even an outright ban on wearing wedding rings. For doctors, the reason is that the space under the ring is not disinfected during standard disinfection procedures, which means that a medical worker with a wedding ring may pose some danger to patients and to himself.

For those who work with their hands (car mechanics, working on factory machines, construction workers), wearing a wedding ring is prohibited by safety regulations. Many representatives of blue-collar professions themselves remove their wedding rings while working to avoid risk.

However, it is not uncommon for a wedding ring to get caught on any part leading to damage or even the cutting off of a finger and other, even more serious injuries.

There is a known case of a Swiss football player who caught his wedding ring on the stand fence while celebrating a goal. Jumping from the fence, he tore off his finger, which, however, the doctors present at the match managed to disinfect and freeze in time. Subsequently, the football player’s finger was sewn on.

Which hand is the engagement ring worn on?

Even if a girl knows or guesses in advance about the upcoming proposal to share life, love and happiness, the moment itself can cause confusion: which hand should I extend to my loved one so that he can put the long-awaited ring on his finger?

Which hand is the ring put on when proposing?

Dear ladies, and men too, don’t worry - the engagement ring can be worn on any hand, whichever is more convenient for you, despite traditions, customs, signs, advice and other information unnecessary at the time of engagement. It doesn’t matter who proposes to whom either!

But in reality, it is often your lover who proposes, and believe me, at this moment he is no less nervous than you and may well forget even a well-rehearsed script. Alternatively, he is a Catholic or came for you from Europe, America and acts according to the traditions of his country. This is where you really get confused, should you wear an engagement ring on your right or left hand? Don’t worry, the main thing is to answer yes, if you really agree to enter his life and let new family members on his side into yours.

Which finger to wear an engagement ring on?

If we talk about Russia, the ring finger of the right hand takes on all possible rings, both for engagement and wedding. But this does not mean that this unspoken rule must be followed unconditionally. Many brides leave the engagement ring on their right hand after the wedding, and wear the engagement ring on their left. Some people are happy to show off with both jewelry on one hand on different fingers, while others are more comfortable wearing the wedding ring separately, and in this case the engagement ring goes into the family jewelry box until a better opportunity. Do what’s most convenient for you and don’t worry about signs: bad ones don’t work, but good ones are nice to believe in.

After the wedding

Of course, the prize for the most popular way to wear a wedding ring along with an engagement ring goes to the ring finger, no matter which hand. How to combine, whether it is worth doing, and how beautiful both rings look together on one finger depends on the design of the jewelry. As a rule, there are no problems with combinations with the classic style; you can allow yourself any options, depending on your mood or, for example, the wardrobe you have chosen for the day.

Beautiful, non-standard shapes of rings also allow you to experiment with ways of wearing them: together, separately, on fingers next to each other or on different hands.

Sets with a design in which one ring follows the curve of the other invariably attract attention: as a rule, the main part in this case is performed as an engagement ring, and the wedding ring is an addition to it, although in Russia this trend, due to a misunderstanding, is not so widespread. This is very beautiful - nesting (nested) ring, thanks to American celebrities, is incredibly popular among Western newlyweds.

Questions and answers

First, a few unusual facts about the wedding jewelry of famous people:

• One of the most unusual wedding rings was that of the Silver Age poet Vladimir Mayakovsky. He ordered jewelry with the initials of his beloved - LYUB (Liya Yuryevna Brik). If you turn the ring, you can read “love”.
• Princess Diana was offered a choice of a variety of diamond jewelry, but she chose a rather modest sapphire ring. Now this ring is considered a precious heirloom.
• It took the craftsman a whole year to make Angelina Jolie's engagement ring. However, on long trips the actress replaces it with a simpler and cheaper one.

What to do if it turns out that the engagement ring does not fit in size?

If you find that your ring is a little too big for you, there is no harm in taking it to a workshop and having it made smaller. Losing jewelry is a much worse situation. This is considered a very bad omen: the marriage may collapse.

Is it possible to replace wedding rings with new ones?

There is no clear answer to this question. It is believed that if young people were united in marriage only in the registry office, then it is permissible to change rings. If the wedding ceremony took place in a church, it is not advisable to do this.

Is it possible to wear someone else’s wedding ring (mom’s, grandmother’s, friend’s)?

In some cases, the parents' rings are passed on to the children. Mom and dad give them as a wedding gift or leave them as an inheritance. The energy of the person who previously wore the jewelry is preserved and transferred to the new owner of the ring. The symbol can become both a talisman and bring negative changes. If the mother has lived a happy family life, then the daughter is even recommended to wear her ring.

People who try on someone else's ring on their hand take a great risk. If such a person is not yet married, he may remain single forever. This is the opinion of sorcerers. The Church does not say anything about this, but instructs never to remove the ring from the finger in order to protect the marriage.

Is it possible to wear an engagement ring before marriage?

Wedding rings are chosen by the spouses together: it is important that both of them like them. The groom, as the future head of the family, must pay for the purchase. Choosing jewelry is not complete without first trying on several dozen possible options.

If a couple expresses a desire to wear rings before the official celebration, no bad omens, of course, will overshadow the upcoming event, but there will no longer be a feeling of celebration. It's okay to show your wedding rings to someone before your wedding. The main thing is that a person does not wish harm on the young and does not try on jewelry on himself.

Can I wear my engagement ring and wedding ring together?

After the wedding, many brides leave the engagement ring on their right hand and change the engagement ring to the left. Someone flaunts both jewelry on one hand, both on different fingers, and on one - together with the wedding ring. Others want to wear the engagement ring separately; in this situation, the engagement attribute is sent for storage in a box. It's all a matter of taste.

When the question arises about the possibility of combining engagement and wedding rings, it is useful to remember the general rules for combining jewelry. They must be made in the same style: classic does not suit jewelry geometry. You can wear gold of different colors nearby.

Engagement and wedding rings can be worn together.

When are wedding rings not worn?

Some couples don't wear their wedding rings. There can be many explanations for this.

• Scientists believe that constantly wearing gold jewelry has a negative impact on well-being. Gold provokes outbursts of negative emotions and slows down metabolism. Therefore, from time to time it is even useful to take off your wedding ring.
• They cannot wear jewelry for health reasons - their fingers become very swollen, the skin cracks, and calluses form.
• The size has changed and the ring does not fit.
• They want to hide their marital status.
• The symbol of marriage has been lost, and a new one has not yet been acquired.
• Interferes with doing household chores.
• The chosen profession does not allow it: surgeon, builder.
• Priests also do not wear wedding bands: they belong only to God, and family, although an important component of life, is still in second place.

Classic wedding rings will never go out of style. Smooth, matte, with or without decoration - these jewelry are harmonious in any look, showing the status of the owner and impeccable taste. The ring can be selected according to any financial capabilities and whims.

Purity Ring

If you are not yet completely confused about engagement rings, wedding rings, traditions, fingers and hands, here is another idea for you - how to diversify your life before marriage with the help of rings. The jewelry, as a symbol of purity, is worn by a couple who wish to get married, but at the same time observe the tradition of abstaining from sex until the wedding ceremony.

Unlike wedding and engagement rings, the purity ring has its own symbolism; in Russia these are Christian prayers transferred to the outside or inside of the jewelry. Western options are also associated with the Christian faith, but are framed in the traditions of a particular denomination. In other countries, the purity ring is also called the daughter's oath to the father.

History of wedding rings

History has not preserved information about the couple who exchanged wedding rings for the first time, much less about which fingers the newly-made spouses put on the symbols of marriage.

However, it is known for certain that the ancient Greeks and Egyptians already knew this custom. In any case, this is what the Greek writer and philosopher of the beginning of our era, Plutarch, argued.

Plutarch wrote that from time immemorial in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome there was a custom of wearing rings on the ring fingers (he did not indicate a specific hand). This was explained by the fact that during the autopsies of the dead, a very thin nerve was discovered extending from the ring finger to the heart. Since in almost all cultures the heart was considered the “house of love,” the choice was obvious.

In some Slavic languages, the ring finger is called a ring finger. It was worn not only with a wedding ring, but also with other rings, including amulets.

Researchers believe that initially the rings were made of soft materials like straw or hemp and performed a purely ritual function during the ceremony. The assumption is quite plausible, but it is impossible to prove it at the moment: such material is not capable of surviving millennia, and written evidence has not survived.

In ancient Rome, metal rings were already known. The potential groom gave the ring not to the bride itself, but to her family, in order to prove his affection and his own financial viability.

Which finger is the ring put on at a wedding?

If you have already relaxed and decided that the issue with the rings is finally resolved - sorry, no. In addition to purity, engagement and the wedding itself, there is also a wedding tradition in Orthodoxy. And yes, in this case you will have to stock up on another set, and not a simple one, but a wedding one, which will be worn in the same way as an engagement ring - on the ring finger of the right hand.

The rings themselves for this ritual should be special, without excessive pretentiousness or scattering of stones. It happens that the priest refuses to use obscenely expensive wedding rings, reminding the newlyweds to observe the traditions of Orthodox modesty, recommending simple options, with engraving or minimal decoration.

But at the same time, if the text of an Orthodox prayer is engraved on the surface of an expensive wedding ring with a large gemstone, the priest will not prohibit the use of this option, but, on the contrary, will approve the jewelry and accept it for the wedding without objection.

How to wear wedding rings?

• Most people don't see the difference between an engagement ring and a wedding ring. And this is a big mistake. Wedding jewelry is worn by newlyweds in the registry office, but wedding jewelry is worn in church.
• The church charter states that you need to choose the right gifts for a wedding. For the bride it is better to choose items made of silver, and for the groom – from yellow metal (gold). The first option is a symbol of purity and femininity. Gold symbolizes masculinity.
• During the wedding, the couple exchanges rings three times. For the last time, they place “symbols of love” on each other’s left ring finger. Give preference to jewelry that has the words of prayer engraved on it. They should not have precious stones on them.

As desired - together or separately
As you can see, there are many different customs and traditions associated with wedding rings. Each country follows its own rituals, but in some cases they can be intertwined. Fortunately, now people have become more modern and less superstitious. Therefore, each couple has the right to decide for themselves what to do.

Interesting articles about rings:

• Is it possible to wear other people's rings?
• What to do with your engagement ring after the wedding
• Signs about rings
• How to remove a ring from your finger
• How rings on fingers influence fate

Do divorced spouses wear rings?

Divorce is a complex process that greatly affects a person’s mental and psychological state. In rare cases, spouses maintain friendly relations and continue to wear rings in memory of a broken marriage.

In the Catholic tradition, divorced spouses simply stop wearing wedding attributes or change them from their left hand to their right. Orthodox believers transfer the decoration from their right hand to their left. However, the witness ring of a past relationship remains on the finger until the next wedding ceremony, after which it must be removed.