Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 68, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 March 1910 — The Hand Kiss. [ARTICLE]

The Hand Kiss.

The kiss of the hand is undoubtedly ancient.and therefore is not derived from that of the lips, but probably the converse is true. The hand kiss is loosely asserted to be developed from servile obeisances in which the earth, the foot and the garments were kissed, the hand and cheek succeeding in order of time and approach to equality of rank. But it is. doubtful if that was the actual order, and. it is certain that at the time when hand kissing began there were less numerous gradations of rank than at a later stage. Kissing of the hands between .men is mentioned in the Old Testament; also by Homer, Pliny and Lucian. The kiss was applied reverentially to sacred objects, such as statues of the gods, as is shown by ancient works of art, and also among numerous etymologies by that of the Latin word “adoro,” and it was also metaphorically applied by the inferior or worshiper kissing his own hand and throwing the salute,to the superior or statue.