SALUTATIONS amongst the various races of Asia differ in form. Genesis xxxiii. 4 says, And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck.' Hindus have five forms of saluting, viz. (1) the Ashtanga, in which the person prostrates himself, and makes eight parts of his body touch the ground, viz. knees, hands, temples, nose, and chin ; (2) Panchanga, five parts the forehead, temples, and hands ; (3) Dandavata, in which the forehead touches the ground ; (4) Namaskara, in which the palms of the hands are joined and raised to the forehead, which is touched with the outstretched thumbs ; and (5) Abhivadana, in which the right hand is raised to the forehead.
All the races of Southern and Eastern Asia meet persons of distinction a mile or two before they enter a city, and a visitor is received according to his rank at the outer gate of the house, at the door of the room, or by merely rising from the seat. It is customary for all relations and friends to call upon the traveller the very day he returns, that is to say if atnity is to endure.
A Hindu, when he meets a friend aftei absence, throws his arms round him, and his head across his shoulders, twice over the right shoulder, and once over the left, and uses other ceremonies, according to the rank of the parties. Salutation is alluded to in Matthew v. 47, xxiii. 7, Mark xii. 38. The usual way of kissing the knee is to place the finger tips on it, and then raise them to the mouth. It is an action denoting great humility, and the condescending superior who is not an immediate master returns the compliment in the same way.
2 Samuel - xiv. 20 says, 3Iy lord is wise according to the wisdom of an angel of God.' This is very much like the hyberbolical language of India. Hindus will often say, Sahib can do everything.' No one can prevent the execution of Sahib's commands. Sahib is God.
Visitors are seated with strict attention to their rank, which, on public occasions, it often takes niuch time to settle.
Brahmans are saluted by joining the pahns and raising them twice or thrice to the forehead, or the Brahman's foot is touched with the hand, which is then raised to the forehead. Brahmans have a peculiar phrase of salutation for each other. The very humble, or persons in great distress, how their heads or bodies, or prostrate themselves with their turbands off and their heads in the dust.
Hindus and Mullammadasis usually salute with their hands, or by prostrations, in silence. But with the Itajputs, an inferior salutes a superior with Jye-Deva, Victory, my Lord I Some Hindus on meeting rerwat twice the name of Rama, Rain Rain ; this and N'ino N'ina are Mahratta forms, and Sri-nat'h, a Canarese form. As a visitor ap proaches a Muhammadan prince, the attendants exclaim Paon-bit-iIdab, approach with respect, and when the prince may rise or sit down, the 31ir-dih will exclaim, Umr-o-Daulat-ziada, may years and fortune be prolonged. Occasionally a Muhammatlan will say Salm Sahib to a Euro pean. A Muhammadan servant on receiving an order will reply, Jo-hulun whatever your order ; or 13a gar o chasm, on my 'head and eyes be it.
The antiquity of the eastern salutation Sal5in is shown by an epitaph of Meleager, which addresses the passer-by, and concludes thus :, ' If thou art a Syrian say Salom, but if a Plicenician Say Audonis, if a Creek, Xaire Salom is the Hebrew Selah ; Audonis, a Punic word, is uncertain.
Amongst the Bhot race, in the Ladakh frontiers, the people &flute by raising tho back of both hands to a height even with the forehead, and then, repeatedly describing a circle in the air with them, end by drooping the fingers downwards and turning the palm inwards. There is a similar Muhammadan practice of Billain lena, where a woman is supposed to take upon herself all the evils wItich would befall the person whom she addresses and thus encircles. .
In salutation, the Persians say, Afiyat bitshad, may it be health to you ; or Nosh-i-jan, may it be a drink of life. The Ambs say, Ilimia, may it be good to you ; the person addressed bows and returns, May Allah be your preserver. Amongst Muliammadans in India the ordinary salutation at meeting is Salam-alaikum, peace be unto you and the return is Alaik-us-salam ; but a servant' will exclaim Daulat-ziada, may your wealth increase ; Umr daniz may your life be prolOnged ; Umr-o Daulat-ziada, may your years and your dignity increase. A person of high rank, as in Europe, first addresses a visitor byasking Khariat? are you well? to which the reply will be, Is your highness well ? Tho salutations in India amongst Muhammadans often assume the form of a blessing or prayer, as May your life be long ; May you live a century and a quarter. A 31uhammadan makes a saluta tion ordinarily with the right hand ; it is raised either to the breast or to the forehead, with or without the words, as Salam-alaikum, the peace of God be with you.
Pupils Idss the hand or sleeve of their teachers. Homage is paid by kissing the feet of the ruler, or by kissing the ground or carpet, or by laying the turband at a conqueror's feet.
All visits end by the head of the house pre senting betel leaf with areea nut, etc., to the guest, and sprinkling on the guest's handkerchief some essential oil or attar (otto) of roses, sandal-wood, etc., or rose-water, turd this is tbe signal for leave taking.
Burmese bend the head three times to the ground.
In China, when friends nieet, they each fold their hands in silence. If anything be Raid, it ix Tiring! Thing I meaning I pray you I I pmy you 0-Ilio is a friendly salutation of the .Tapanese.
The people of New Zealand press their noses against those of the friends whom they salute.
la Fiji the handn are clapped to show respect to a chief or superiors. In Japan it is a ceremony of respect to superiors. In Fiji the mountaineers in expressing astonishment shake backwards and forwards.and transversely once or twice the right liand.-1Vard, p. 189 ; Burton's Mecca, p. 292 ; Burton'8 Scinde, ii. pp. 20, 21. See Mitsafilia ; Salem.