Why do we have to rise right hand when swearing in court?

Question

there are more "traditions" in the court of justice .... like hand on Bible, the clothes .... all have an explanation. can anyone give me a site where i find the answer why we raise right hand when swear? thanks !

Answer 1

You identified it -- tradition.

The raising of the hand comes ultimately from the way oaths were sworn in ancient times, an open hand held up to indicate that the person was not holding a weapon. The right hand was used because most people are right-handed.