Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Kissing Traditions that Started Long Ago

Ancient Rome: The Romans started all sorts of kissing traditions, like kissing at the altar to seal the “I do” deal, and kissing rings and garments of swanky officials in a sign of respect and submission. They also started the custom of husbands smooching wives when they returned home. Apparently, they were just checking to make sure their ladies hadn’t been sipping wine all day!

Early A.D.: Kissing became more of a holy, reverent act used for religious rites. This is when people started kissing the Bible, an altar cloth or a baby at baptism.

Middle Ages: The custom of using an “X” as a symbol started for those who could not read or write. Contracts would be signed with an “X,” then kissed to make it binding. This is also when the submissive act of “kissing the ground you walk on” began as a way to define social standing.

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