Saluting with folded hands is a traditional Chinese etiquette showing respect to others.The basic posture is clasping both hands,with one hand over the other,and raising them in front of the chest.According to research,the etiquette probably originated before the Zhou Dynasty.
According to the Rites of Zhou,there were different ways to make the salute depending on the social positions of the saluting and receiving individuals and the relations between them.The variants of the salute include earth solute(done by the Zhou Dynasty Emperors to vassals),time salute(done by the Zhou Dynasty dukes to vassals),heaven salute,special salute,group salute and three-time salute.Earth solute is to fold your hands,stretch forward and slightly lower your hands;time salute is to fold your hands and stretch horizontally forward;heaven salute is to fold your hands,stretch forward and slightly raise your hands;special salute is to make the salute to others one by one;group salute is to make the salute to others according to their social strata;and three-time salute is to make the salute to all people together for three times.In addition,there is long salute,which is folding your hands and raising them over your head,making bows from above to below.
Apart from saluting with folded hands,traditional greeting etiquettes of ancient China also include kowtowing,fist wrapping,bowing,and making a wanfu(a form of greeting by women with folded hands moving about at the lower right side)etc.Some of the etiquettes are no longer practiced,but saluting with folded hands is kept well alive thanks to its hygienic,easy,graceful and independent attributes.It jazzes up the festive atmosphere when practiced as an exchange of greetings between relatives and friends in traditional holidays.
