Why does the letter x symbolise a kiss in written english?

Question

My german friend thinks I know no english, so some kind of reference for this would be nice :) Thanks guys x

Answer 1

"Early illiterates signed documents with a cross. They did so for an obvious reason. A cross was so simple to draw, and yet, being also a sacred symbol, implied the promise of truth. But to solemnly confirm further the veracity of what had been endorsed thus, the writer kissed his 'signature,' as he was accustomed to do with the holy book. And that is how, finally, by its very association, the cross came to be identified with a kiss."

(PS - Damn you Captain Moroni! Pipped again, by four seconds)

Answer 2

This tradition started with the Medieval practice of allowing those who could not write to sign documents with an "X". This was done before witnesses, and the signer placed a kiss upon the "X" to show sincerity. This is how the kiss came to be synonymous with the letter "X", and how the "X" came to be commonly used at the end of letters as kiss symbols. (Some believed "X" was chosen as a variation on the cross symbol, while others believe it might have been a pledge in the name of Christ, since the "X" -- or Chi symbol -- is the twenty-second letter of the Greek alphabet and has been used in church history to represent Christ.)

Answer 3

Historians do characteristic seven of the letters to Paul. the different seven are forgeries (Romans, a million-2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, a million Thessalonians, Philemon). (Ephesians, Colossians, 2 Thessalonians) are very probable no longer his. some pupils nonetheless argue slightly over those however the evidence is on the factor of them no longer being unique writings. 3 greater are by no skill from him (a million-2 Timothy, Titus). So there are books attributed to Paul that are no longer Paul's. could that no longer recommend that words that are no longer the words of God are easily interior the Bible besides?

Answer 4

The X originally referred to a Christian cross. Writing an "X" on a document worked much like a signature in the pre-literate era.

Some people used to kiss the documents as well. "The X became associated with the kiss because signatories used to pucker up and plant one on their X mark, as one would do to a crucifix or bible."

Answer 5

I read somewhere that priests used to end letters with crosses, this eventually became x's. People started putting x's at the end of their own letters and these became known as kisses.

Answer 6

In the Middle Ages, a lot of people couldn't read or write. When they had to sign a document, they would make an X in place of their name. In front of witnesses the signer would kiss the X to show themselves trustworthy. The kiss has since come to be represented by an X.

Edit for kieranhr: My Tardis works!!! I simply stole your answer and travelled back in time and claimed it as my own!

Answer 7

I've heard that the x symbolises pursed lips. Whether that is true I don't know but it seems to make sense to me.

Answer 8

The letter ‘X’ stands for kiss as in those early times when most of the people could not read or write they used to make ‘X’ in place of their names in presence of witnesses to show their love.

Reference:
http://www.bostonapartments.com/business/valentine/valentineday-gifts-basket.html

Answer 9

It's a stylised drawing of two people's lips meeting seen from the side.

Answer 10

It is supposed to represent the shape of lips pursed together for a kiss. I don't see it, myself. Apparantly, it helps if you think of it as a top V and bottom ^, each representing a lip.