2006-12-12 04:58:02 · 8 answers · asked by StoneOld 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
The hand salute is traced back to midieval times, when an approaching knight would hold his right hand aloft to show the absence of a weapon or lift his visor with the right hand. Since left handed people were viewed to be less than honorable (sinister=left handed) this was the way to show you meant the other no harm.
2006-12-12 05:02:08 · answer #1 · answered by Schmorgen 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The salute is said to date back to medieval times but for several reasons and not one as everyone is probably stating.
#1- If you are saluting or offering your right hand it is hard to also stab you with it.
#2- Knights raised their face plates so the other person could see their face. This was 'recognition' in the truest sense since there may have more than one knight carrying the families colors emblazoned on the shield.
2006-12-12 05:34:55 · answer #2 · answered by wolf560 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Using the right hand is of little importance to some countries. However, all salutes are a recognition of respect from and enlisted to an officer or a lower ranking officer to a higher ranking officer
2006-12-12 05:56:35 · answer #3 · answered by Joseph P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In addition to everything else already said, the right side is considered to be the side of honor. Thats why we say a close friend is our 'right hand man' or why the field on our flag is on the right side.
Also in latin 'left' is translated as 'sinister'. We don't use sinister to mean left...
Also in the military, a lower ranking person is to stand or walk to the left of the higher ranking person. It's not casually adhered to though, but it is in the books and used for formal occasions.
2006-12-12 06:56:23 · answer #4 · answered by justind_000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would guess it goes back to the days of hand shakes.
Hand shakes were done with the right hand, because most people were right handed, and it ensured they could not draw their weapon.
This also came back from the days where men opened a door for a lady to walk through first. Not out of politeness, but becuase a woman was less likely to be fired upon than a man.
2006-12-12 05:00:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because most people are right handed. The original salutes (probably in the Roman army) were designed to show that you had no weapon in your hand, and all legionaries held their weapons in their right hand.
2006-12-12 05:04:04 · answer #6 · answered by Mordent 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
So they can scratch their butts with their left!
Most of us are right-handed.We just mainly do stuff right handed.The majority leads.
2006-12-12 05:01:10 · answer #7 · answered by Frogmama 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
lft hand is for holding the rifle
2006-12-12 05:30:40 · answer #8 · answered by Jomtien C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋