ORIGIN OF CUSTOMS

Waipukurau Press, Issue 301, 27 August 1908, Page 7

ORIGIN OF CUSTOMS

Many customs are so common that we have lost sight of their origin. Time and habits have changed. Relics of olden days have been handed on and carried down from generation to generation to our present day. Shaking bands is an example and began in this way: When adversaries were making a truce with one another, each found it wiser to grasp the other’s weapon hand to ensure himself against treachery. The truce concluded, they became friends, and so the custom grew as a salutation between friends; even nowadays enemies do not shake hands till peace —a truce is made. Per hans the modern woman discovered the origin of the curtsey, and that is why it has. dropped out of use. At one time it was the custom for women to go on the knee to men of rank to beg for mercy ; and later it became, an acknowledgment of superiority. That is why it is still retained where Royalty is concerned ; but the example of the old country woman who still “ bobs” to the squire’s lady is not followed by t ie younger generation, and the pretty curtsey that was the fashion when our grandmothers held sway is now forsaken and almost obsolete. A man when greeting a lady raises his hat. Why does his salu tation take this form ? In the days when armour was more fashionable than silk hats or panamas, the helmet was only raised when no danger was near, so to lift the hat was a sign that the wearer dared to stand in the presence of the person so greeted unarmed.

What of the oldest of old customs —the kiss ? The kiss is to adore, and the word “ adore ” signifies simply to carry the hand “to the mouth.” Kissing the hand to the statue of a god was a Roman form of adoration, and as a mode of salutation expressed reverence and worship, To kiss the book when taking an oath is a public acknowledgment that you adore the diety whose book vou kiss. To kiss the lips is to adore the living breath of the person saluted. In Scripture allusion is made to kissing, the hem of garments, which signified an adoration of anything belonging to .or touching the wearer ; while kissing the feet or ground was to humble oneself in adoration. —“ Transvaal Weekly.”