Where does the hand salute for the military come from?

Answer 1

It actually comes from medievel times when soldiers would wear helmets with the liftable face plates. THey would lift the face plates around each other out of signs of respect so each other could see the other's face. Just carried on from there.

Answer 2

The original idea was to show someone that you were not an enemy. This is like a wave, or a handshake, or opening the visor of your helmet, etc. Showing an open hand meant you were not a threat, and it was a sign of respect. Also, taking off your hat is a sign of respect, and originally, someone would take off their hat in the presence of a superior. Eventually, this moved to a salute. Different military's do it differently. In Canada, we raise our right hand up the shortest way, so that the upper arm is at a 90 degree angle, and the tip of the middle finger is just in front of the temple, lower arm straight, and palm facing down. If you wear glasses, then the tip of your middle finger will just touch the outside upper edge of the frame. To finish, you bring your hand down the same way. In Canada, you must be in uniform, and with your hat on to salute, and you only salute those with the Queen's Commission (or equivalent), or "ladies of acquaintance" if you are old fashioned. Tradition states that you do not salute in the field (as this points out officers to an observing enemy), nor on an air force flight line. Also, unless there are specific orders, you do not salute inside. The exceptions are in designated indoor saluting areas, or when entering and leaving the office of an officer. The British Army and Royal Air Force brought their hand up the longest way, i.e., away from the body, and had the palm facing forward. The Royal Navy salutes the same as the Canadians (or, maybe we do it their way, as they did it first!). The American Forces do it something like the Canadians, I believe. Although they also have Warrant Officers, and there are rules for saluting them which are a bit complicated. I also understand that Americans can salute while not wearing a hat, although I am not certain of this.

Answer 3

The previous two answers are both correct. The knights would raise their visor to show that they had no hostile intent (none would fight with their face exposed) The right hand was used because it was the hand used to weild a weapon.

Answer 4

The visor thing is probably right, at least in part, but also raising the right hand takes it away from the hilt of the sword, showing a lack of hostile intent.

Answer 5

when knights would meet they would raise their hands to lift their visor lids to show their face... this evovled to be a sign of respect in military groups

Answer 6

It comes from the hand that salutes!