How it was customary in Russia to say hello, and to whom they kissed their feet when they met

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Today, people often do not attach much importance to greetings. Is that the difference between the official "hello" and a friendly "hello". Men can shake hands and women can just nod their heads. Of course, it's nice when you are greeted with joy, letting you know that you missed you, glad to see you, especially when you are also hugged. And in ancient times in Russia, greetings and hugs were taken seriously. Read what the bows were, what a nodding acquaintance is and who kissed their feet when they met.

The oldest greeting "Goy esi" - what does it mean

If we recall Russian folk tales and epics, then they often contain such a greeting as “Goy thou!”. What does this mysterious phrase mean? Its first part, namely "goy", means nothing more than life, life-giving forces. Vladimir Dal wrote in his dictionary that it is also: "hello, live, fast."

Some experts argue that there is another meaning, namely: "You belong to our family (community, tribe), you are of our blood, you are ours!" If you combine "goy" (to live) and "are" (to be), then you get "You exist, live on!" It is interesting that the modern word "outcast" is the antonym of "goy", that is, a person who lost his life, was expelled from it.

Another pleasant old greeting is "Peace to your home!" Here, perhaps, there is no need to explain, and everything is clear. Very respectful, benevolent treatment. There is an opinion that in old Russia this was the way they addressed not only the people in the house, but also the house one.

Types of bows and to whom they were intended: large and small custom

Bows are rarely used nowadays. And in the old days, people bowed to each other when they met or said goodbye. There was a whole hierarchy of bows. For example, if a respected person was met in the community, he was honored with a low bow, to the ground, which was sometimes even kissed. This option was called the "great custom." And there was also a small one - this is a bow to the belt for relatives and friends.

If it was necessary to greet a stranger, then the customs were not applied. It was enough just to put a hand to the heart and then lower it down. The hand was placed on the area of the heart during any bow, this meant that the person had pure intentions, and he is cordial towards the one he greets. In the physical sense, the bow symbolized humility, because when the head is tilted, you cannot see the one to whom you bow, and the neck is open - this is defenselessness, trust.

Information inherent in a handshake and what a nodding acquaintance is

A handshake, that is, touching with the palms, is the oldest gesture that contains information. For example, by the duration of the handshake, one could judge the warmth of the relationship. If people have not seen a friend of a friend for a long time, or friends were very happy to meet unexpectedly, then they could shake both hands. According to the rules, the right to be the first to lend a hand was given to the elder. By this he made it clear to the youngest that he was invited to a friendly circle.

To emphasize the relationship of trust, the brush should be nude. This rule still applies today - a handshake with gloves is considered indecent. There were cases when people touched their forearms, closer to the wrist, for example, so did the warriors. This meant that they were unarmed and had no weapons in their hands. A very important point: the pulse beats on the wrist and when these points touch, the spirit of people is united.

After the introduction of strict etiquette, the handshake remained only for friends, and for acquaintances, a simple method was used - raising the hat. This is what led to the emergence of the catch phrase "nodding acquaintance", which means superficial relationships.

Hugs: heart to heart and fraternization

Hugs were also common in Russia. Of particular importance were men's heart-to-heart hugs. It would seem that this is a symbol of complete trust, unity of hearts. In reality, this was done in order to understand whether the interlocutor had a weapon. If there was a battle, and suddenly a truce was declared, the ritual of fraternization was applied, which is essentially a hug.

Friends and relatives hugged at the meeting. Coming to confession, the offended and offenders also hugged each other, this helped to tune in, prepare for the procedure, cleanse your heart, let go of evil and forgive others, as well as sincerely ask for forgiveness yourself. Currently, hugs between adults are perceived as an expression of love and tenderness. When it comes to a man and a woman, some erotic overtones are embedded in them. But friendship is not complete without this action.

Kisses: threefold as a talisman, and also who kissed hands and even feet

The threefold kiss has been used in Russia since ancient times and has survived to this day. The number three for Christians had a sacred character, it reminded of the Trinity, was a kind of amulet and gave hope. They kissed dear guests three times, they were compared with the angels who came to the house. If a person was kissed by the hand, it means that they bowed before him, he was revered. And those close to the sovereign kissed not only his hands, but also his feet.

Kissing the priest's hand was common. The kiss was also meritorious for those who had just received the secret holy communion. Thus, the person was greeted, congratulated on purification, renewal.

If a person had a lower status, then he was allowed to kiss a more noble interlocutor on the shoulder, to which he could kiss on the head in response. But the ambassadors of non-Christian states could not kiss the sovereign's hand.

There were also their own dreaming customs. For some dreams could get real punishment in reality.