In the military where does the salute come from?

alginon77

The exact origin of this salute has been lost in time. One theory is that it came from Roman soldiers' shading their eyes from the intense light that was pretended to shine from the eyes of their superiors. Another theory is that it came from when men-at-arms wore armorâ€”a friendly approach would include holding the reins of the horse with the left hand while raising the visor of the helmet with the right, so that one would know they meant not to battle them. A third theory is that the salute, and the handshake, came from a way of showing that the right hand (the fighting hand) was not concealing a weapon. A combination of showing an empty right hand, palm outwards, which was then raised formally to a helmet to raise a visor would demonstrate non-aggressive intentions, and therefore respect. In Tudor times the helmet of a suit of armour was known as a 'sallet', a word very similar to the word 'salute'.

Rustic Civility by William Collins showing a child "tugging his forelock" as a local authority figure passes on horseback (only visible by the shadow)The most widely accepted theory is that it evolved from the practice of men raising their hats in the presence of officers. Tipping one's hat on meeting a social superior was the normal civilian sign of respect at the time. Repeated hat-raising was impractical if heavy helmets were worn, so the gesture was stylised to a mere hand movement. It was also common for individuals who did not wear hats to "tug their forelock" in imitation of the gesture of tipping the hat.

The naval salute, with the palm downwards originated because the palms of naval ratings, particularly deckhands, were often dirty through working with lines. Because it would be insulting to present a dirty palm to an officer, the palm was turned downwards. During the Napoleonic Wars, British crews saluted officers by touching a clenched fist to the brow

scubasniper

The raising of the visor in the days of knighthood. They did so with the right hand, which was the primary weapon hand, to show they held nothing in it.

nosdda

The British Army salute shows an open hand, which is a sign of openess in the same way you show a open hand when you shake someones hand. it has nothing to do with knights of old as it was introduced into the Army in 1812.

Dan

It actually comes from Medieval times where Knights had to lift the gauze to the helmet up to speak and look at the king or commander before a battle. It's now interpreted as a sign of respect, just making that bit more effort to acknowledge higher rank.

themonkeyjuggles

There are a number of origins of the military greeting of saluting. In the age of chivalry the knights were all mounted and wore steel armour, which covered the body completely. When two friendly knights met it was the custom for each to raise the visor and expose his face to the view of the other. This was always done with the right hand, the left being used to hold the reins. It was a significant gesture of friendship and confidence, since it exposed the features and also removed the right hand from the vicinity of a weapon (sword). Also in ancient times the freemen of Europe were allowed to carry arms: when two freemen met, each would raise his right hand to show that he held no weapons in it and that the meeting was friendly.

wild-man of Borneo

Look in the real world.
Decode this lyrics " Knowing me knowing you"
Luke 21.30-36
Luke 6.39-40,41-45,46-49
Luke 9.25,55-56,60
Luke 4.4
Leviticus 19.32
Matt 22.17-21,32
What do you think?

TRAIN HARD LIVE WELL

Knights show they have nothing in their hand and raise their visor.

Declan

In the UK when a lower rank salutes to an officer it is the lower rank suluting to the queen and the officer saluteing back is the queen saluting back to him

Chillax

Noone knows where this idea came from, I think it's done to merely show a sign of respect. But I read in some history book that it's also done to show that you weren't hiding a weapon behind your back.

Cheeky Monkey

A getsure of submission, demonstrating that the right hand is empty ( i.e., not holding a weapon)

I have also heard it said that the person is supposed to be indicating that he is dazzled by the brilliance of the officer he is saluting, but I find that one hard to believe (!)

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