Polish for Expats

Lexicon of Polish cultural connotation: K – Kiss (Kissing Day)

2010/12/28 7:07:00 Written by 

Kissing Day – 28 December or 6 July?

A kiss is primarily an expression of love, but also reverence, submission, respect and well wishes. It is the oldest way of communication, body language, overgrown rich symbolism. Kiss in Polish ‘całować’ is semantically associated with whole ‘cały’.  This means not only the unity but also survival pol. ‘ocalić’.

The kiss, which farewells a  knight or a hunter, was kind wishes and blessings  ‘come back untouched ‘cały’. It was exchanged both by men and men and woman and men and had nothing to do with sexuality.

Sex free was also the kiss of respect. Kissing pop’s or bishop ring was the singe of reverence given to God. Kissing the national flag, sword blades, the Constitution belong to the gestures to show reverence to symbols.

In some countries, it was also a gesture of courtesy – like in Poland kissing lady’s hand in greeting and farewell. The custom is getting old fashion, but you can meet it even between young people.

The way of communication by a kiss is as old as humankind. It has been developing its meaning – direct and symbolic – with a culture of each language. Whatever it symbolize,  the fundamental meaning of this gesture is expressing love with a strong sexual character, and that is why it is still celebrated as an international holiday. Why there are two different dates? It really doesn’t matter. Let’s kiss in the end and the middle of the year!

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