I was wondering where the miltary (hand over the eyebrow) salute came from, any ideas?
2006-11-26 00:06:33 · 6 answers · asked by redfcuk 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Yeah I just learned it in ROTC. Ok back in old time when they carried the swords. It was thought to be the more honorable hand. so when they were in town and were not armed they would raise their hand over their eyebrow to show they were not armed. Then it evolved into the salute we know today. The Right is the position of honor. so when you salute with your right hand you are saluting with honor. that is how it came to be.
2006-11-26 00:11:58 · answer #1 · answered by kingdomhearts_rulz 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The salute evolved from the days where full plate armour was worn. When someone was reporting to a superior, they would use one hand to raise the visor of their helmet. Whether this was to prove their identity or just out of politeness is unknown.
In regards to the other answers, proving that you were not carrying a weapon is where the custom of shaking hands grew from. As most people's sword arm was their right arm, it became normal to use that hand even if it wasn't your primary hand.
2006-11-26 00:23:38 · answer #2 · answered by Diocletian 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My hubby tells me it comes originally from surrendering on the battlefield. By putting you hand over the eyebrow, palm fcing outwards, it shows that your hand is empty and you're not going to go for your sword. The Naval salute is slightly different, they keep their palms down so that the people they are surrendering/saluting to cannot see the poor state of their palms, caused by the tar and blisters caused by firing the canon etc.
2006-11-26 00:13:48 · answer #3 · answered by qurm_kim 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As the person above me has stated. It stems from when full armor was worn. A person raised his visor to show his identity to his superior. Most soldiers back then were right handed and the sword was kept in teh right hand. THis showed that you were unarmed.
2006-11-26 01:35:37 · answer #4 · answered by JohnRingold 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pre the salute ordinary ranks tipped there hat in respect to there superiors, that later turned to touching there forelock. it was adopted by the navy first to officers boarding . the army then took it up as a duty to all ranks to show respect
2006-11-26 08:34:43 · answer #5 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To show you had no weapon hidden in that hand
2006-11-26 00:15:40 · answer #6 · answered by Dover Soles 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋