Nose Kissing—The Traditional Hongi of the Māori People
The hongi is a deeply symbolic Māori greeting from New Zealand, in which two people press their noses and foreheads together. More than a simple gesture, this practice represents the exchange of the ha—the breath of life—a concept rooted in Māori mythology. According to tradition, the first woman, Hineahuone, was brought to life when the god Tāne breathed into her nostrils, making the hongi a sacred act of shared vitality and unity.
This greeting is primarily used in formal ceremonies, such as the pōwhiri, a traditional Māori welcome extended to guests (manuhiri). By engaging in the hongi, visitors are symbolically transformed into tangata whenua—people of the land—signifying mutual respect and acceptance. Unlike a Western handshake, which often emphasizes formality or agreement, the hongi fosters a spiritual and communal connection, reinforcing the Māori worldview of interconnectedness.
Similar nose-pressing greetings exist in other cultures, such as the honi in Hawaiian traditions and the hengedò in parts of Indonesia. However, the hongi remains uniquely tied to Māori identity, maintaining its significance in both indigenous and contemporary New Zealand society. Even world leaders and dignitaries have embraced this tradition, acknowledging its profound cultural importance.
Bowing to the Ground—A Sign of Respect in Ancient Persia
In ancient Persia, bowing to the ground wasn’t just a greeting—it was a declaration of hierarchy, loyalty, and sometimes, submission. This elaborate gesture, known as proskynesis, played a crucial role in Persian court etiquette, particularly during the Achaemenid Empire (550–330 BCE). Depending on one’s rank, the act ranged from a simple bow to full prostration, where individuals would touch their foreheads to the ground. Persian nobles of equal status might exchange kisses, but those of lower rank were expected to bow deeply or kneel in the presence of the king.
The Greeks, however, found this practice baffling. In their culture, excessive bowing was reserved for the gods, not mortal rulers. When Alexander the Great attempted to introduce proskynesis after conquering Persia, his Macedonian officers resisted, seeing it as an affront to their democratic ideals. Despite this cultural clash, the tradition endured, influencing later court rituals in the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Even today, echoes of proskynesis remain in modern diplomatic and religious ceremonies, where bowing still symbolizes deference and respect.
Spitting on the Hand—A Friendship Greeting in Some African Cultures
In many parts of the world, spitting is considered rude or even offensive. However, among the Maasai people of Kenya and northern Tanzania, it is an act of deep respect and goodwill. For the Maasai, spitting on the hand before a handshake is not just a formality—it is a powerful symbol of trust, connection, and blessing. This tradition, deeply embedded in their cultural fabric, reflects a worldview where bodily essence, such as saliva, carries significant spiritual weight.
The practice extends beyond greetings. Maasai elders spit on newborns as a way of bestowing good fortune and protection, believing that the act wards off misfortune and ensures a prosperous life. Similarly, during wedding ceremonies, a bride’s father will spit on her forehead and chest—a gesture meant to bless her union and future fertility. These customs, while surprising to outsiders, illustrate how different societies interpret bodily gestures in profoundly meaningful ways.
In a world where handshakes, bows, and hugs dominate greetings, the Maasai’s spitting tradition reminds us that cultural expressions of respect can take unexpected forms. What may seem unorthodox in one culture can be a cherished symbol of honor in another.
Saluting with the Right Hand on the Heart—Used by Ancient Egyptians
In the rich tapestry of Ancient Egyptian customs, gestures played a crucial role in communication, particularly in religious and ceremonial contexts. While modern interpretations often depict Egyptians placing their right hand over their heart as a greeting, historical evidence suggests a more complex and symbolic practice. One of the most well-documented salutes was the Henou gesture, a deeply reverent act used to honor gods, pharaohs, and celestial events. This salute involved kneeling on one knee, striking the chest with a closed left fist, and raising the right fist toward the head—far more elaborate than a simple hand-over-heart motion.
The heart, or “ib” in Egyptian belief, was considered the seat of intelligence and morality, making it a focal point in both life and death rituals. During the Weighing of the Heart Ceremony, the deceased’s heart was measured against the feather of Ma’at, the goddess of truth, to determine their fate in the afterlife. Given this profound significance, the act of touching or gesturing toward the heart symbolized sincerity, devotion, and respect. However, there is little evidence to suggest that Egyptians used a right-hand-over-heart gesture in everyday greetings. Instead, the Henou salute was reserved for divine reverence, reinforcing the civilization’s deep spiritual foundations.
The Roman Salute—A Symbol of Loyalty and Allegiance
The Roman salute—a stiff-armed gesture often depicted in films and historical paintings—has long been associated with ancient Rome. However, historical evidence suggests that this salute, as we understand it today, was more a product of artistic imagination than an actual Roman practice. There is no concrete documentation from Roman texts or artifacts confirming its widespread use. Instead, the idea of the Roman salute took shape much later, influenced by 18th- and 19th-century neoclassical art. One of the most famous early depictions is Jacques-Louis David’s 1784 painting The Oath of the Horatii, which showed Roman soldiers raising their arms in a gesture of loyalty. This artistic interpretation helped cement the salute in popular imagination as an “authentic” Roman custom.
The gesture gained further prominence in the early 20th century when it was adopted by fascist movements, most notably in Mussolini’s Italy and Nazi Germany. The salute, once an artistic representation of Roman virtues such as unity and strength, became a political symbol of authoritarian power. Today, it is widely recognized as a hate symbol and is banned in several countries, including Germany. The evolution of the Roman salute—from a mythologized artistic motif to a politically charged gesture—demonstrates how history is often shaped as much by interpretation as by fact.
Sticking Out the Tongue—A Tibetan Greeting to Show Peace
At first glance, sticking out one’s tongue might seem like an act of defiance, but in Tibet, it’s quite the opposite. This unique greeting has deep historical roots, dating back to the 9th century when King Lang Darma ruled Tibet. According to legend, the king was notorious for his cruelty and was said to have had a black tongue—an ominous sign linked to evil. Fearing his potential reincarnation, Tibetans began sticking out their tongues to prove they bore no such mark, demonstrating that they were not his successors and, therefore, harbored no ill will.
Beyond its historical origins, the tongue-out greeting is also a gesture of respect, peace, and even playful affection. Elders often use it in interactions with children, sometimes pairing it with the phrase “Che le sa,” which roughly translates to “Eat my tongue.” Far from an insult, this expression serves as a lighthearted way to teach young ones about kindness and familial bonds. Today, while modern Tibetans may not use the greeting as frequently, it remains a cherished cultural relic, symbolizing goodwill and reinforcing the region’s deep-seated Buddhist traditions.
Elbow Touching—A Plague-Era Gesture to Avoid Contact
In times of widespread disease, human societies have always found creative ways to maintain social bonds while minimizing physical contact. One such adaptation was elbow touching, a greeting that gained prominence during historical plague outbreaks, particularly in Europe. Unlike traditional handshakes or embraces, which were thought to spread infectious diseases, elbow touching allowed individuals to acknowledge each other from a safer distance. This practice emerged as a direct response to pandemics like the Black Death in the 14th century, which wiped out nearly 50 million people across Europe.
While historical records of elbow touching during medieval pandemics are scarce, the gesture aligns with the broader set of social distancing measures adopted during times of crisis. People in plague-stricken cities often avoided direct touch altogether, opting instead for gestures that conveyed respect while maintaining a physical barrier. Interestingly, elbow touching resurfaced in the 21st century during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating how historical practices can find relevance in modern health crises. Whether in medieval Europe or the 2020s, the human instinct to adapt and preserve social rituals—even in the face of deadly diseases—remains unchanged.
