In ancient times, did women perform the fist salute?

Generally speaking, women are not allowed to perform the fist salute. However, if a woman is a martial arts practitioner from a martial arts family, she can perform the fist salute on relevant occasions.

This situation is rare and very special. Therefore, we can assume that in general women are not allowed to do the fist salute.

The fist salute, also known as the "arch", "bow ceremony", the traditional Han etiquette in a meet ritual, originating before the Zhou Dynasty, more than 3,000 years of history, is the Han's unique traditional etiquette, the fist, is the left hand to hold the right hand, the natural embrace, loose and tight, the arch, the right hand, the right hand, the right hand, the right hand, the right hand, the right hand, the right hand, the right hand, the right hand, the right hand, the right hand, the right hand. It is not appropriate to be too strong or too high, but to hold the right hand with the left hand in a natural embrace, with a moderately loose, arching hand, naturally swaying slightly in front of the chest. With the left hand to hold the right hand, which is called "auspicious worship", on the contrary, is not respect each other "bad worship".

Additionally, the fist-holding salute in the martial arts world is a representative salute that has been adopted both at home and abroad by refining, standardizing, and unifying the "bowing salute" and the Shaolin fist-holding salute (the four-finger salute), which has been given a new meaning. The essentials are to make a fist with one hand and clasp it with the other, closing it in front of the chest, with the right hand inside and the left hand outside.

Method of saluting

Standing side by side, the four fingers of the left hand are straightened into a palm, with the thumb flexed; the right hand is formed into a fist, with the center of the left palm concealing the surface of the right fist, and the tip of the left finger at the same level as the chin. The eye of the right fist is diagonally opposite to the chest socket, placed in front of the chest to bend the arm into a circle, the elbow tip is slightly down, and the distance between the palm of the fist and the chest is 20 - 30 centimeters. The head is straight, the body is straight, the eyes look at the recipient, the face and demeanor natural and generous.

Specific meanings

①The left palm indicates that the four virtues of morality, intellectuality, physical fitness and aesthetics are all in place, symbolizing noble sentiments. The flexion of the fingers indicates that one is not arrogant, not proud, and does not think of oneself as "the boss". The right fist symbolizes the courage to practice martial arts. The left palm covers the right fist and embraces it, indicating that "courage does not cause chaos", "martial arts does not violate the prohibition" and "stopping the sword is martial arts", thus restraining and moderating the meaning of courage and martial arts.

② left palm right fist together bent, two arms bent round, said the five lakes and all over the world (referring to the five continents and four oceans), the world of martial arts is a family, humility and unity, martial arts will be friends.

3 ③ left palm for the text, the right fist for the martial arts, literature and martial arts learning, humility, eagerness to learn, waiting for teachers and friends, seniors teach.

Expanded information

The real "meeting gift" in ancient times

1, bow ceremony

Bow ceremony is the most commonly used etiquette in ancient times when the guests and hosts meet, originated before the Western Zhou Dynasty, more than 3,000 years of history, the King of Wu to fight against the Shang Dynasty to establish the Zhou Dynasty, after the death of the King of Wu, the son of King Cheng of the Zhou Dynasty was young to the throne by his uncle, Zhou Kung Dan After his death, his son Zhou Chengwang came to the throne at a young age and was ruled by his uncle Zhou Gong Dan. The Duke of Zhou, the regent, took many measures to consolidate power, establish the Zhou dynasty's various canons and rituals, and establish a political system centered on the patriarchal system.

Anciently, the gesture of bowing was different from that of later generations, which was a hand-pushing motion. It is said that this "push hands" etiquette in ancient times is divided into three cases, in the face of no marriage relationship between the different surnames, salute to push hands slightly downward; for the marriage relationship between the different surnames, salute to push hands flat and to the front; the same surnames of the guests to salute, then to push hands slightly upward.

According to the Zhou Rites, according to the status and relationship of the two parties performing the salute, there is a difference between the heavenly salute, the time salute, the earthly salute, the long salute, the special salute, the traveling salute, and the side three salutes.

2. Heavenly Greeting

This is performed on formal ceremonial occasions, such as sacrificial rites and coronation rites, to honor one's elders and people of the same clan. When performing the salute, the body stands in a solemn position, hands clasped together, the left hand on top, palms inward, bending down to push hands, hands slowly raised to the forehead, bending down about 60 degrees.

3. Greetings

Mostly used as a parting gift for daily meetings between peers. The body is solemn, hands clasped, left hand on the top, palms down, from the chest to the outward flat push, bend down about 30 degrees.

4, earth bow

Used for elders or superiors to return gifts. When performing the salute, the body stands in a solemn position, hands are clasped together, the left hand is on top, palms facing inward, and the body bends down about 30 degrees.

5, long bow

That is, arching the hands high, from top to bottom to salute people, long bow to show respect, but sometimes it will also give people a sense of arrogance. The special bow means to bow one by one; the brigade bow means to bow separately according to the rank; and the side three bows means to bow three times to the crowd at a time. It is written in the Zhou Rites - Xia Guan - Si Shi that: "The ministers of the Lone Ministers made special bows, the ministers of the Great Ministers made brigade bows, and the soldiers made three bows at the same time."

References Baidu Encyclopedia - clasping fist ceremony

China.com-Xi'an reproduces ancient women's rite of passage white long dress worship yellow emperor