answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Originally the salute was not a salute but when Medieval Knights happened to cross paths they would raise the visor of their helmets in order to be identified. This developed into the hand salute. Also the sword salute is a derivative of the ancient knights in which the knight would kiss the cross-member of the sword before going into battle.

The following explanation of the origin of the hand salute is perhaps closest to the truth: It was an established military custom for juniors to remove their headgear in the presence of superiors. In the British Army as late as the American Revolution a soldier saluted by removing his hat. But with the advent of more cumbersome headgear in the 18th and 19th centuries, the act of a gentleman removing his hat was gradually converted into the simpler gesture of grasping the visor, and issuing a courteous salutation. From there it finally became conventionalized into something resembling our modern hand salute.

As early as 1745 (more than 250 years ago) a British order book states that: "The men are ordered not to pull off their hats when they pass an officer, or to speak to them, but only to clap up their hands to their hats and bow as they pass."

Ashraf Raffa

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Where does the military salute come from?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Where did the modern Western military salute come from?

The modern western military salute evolved from the practice of raising ones hat. The salute is used as a symbolic gesture.


Why did the Nazi have a salute?

Its just military practice. Most if not all military have a salute.


What salute is considered the highest honor at a military funeral?

21 gun salute................


How do Girl Scouts salute a flag?

The salute is made with the right hand over the heart, the standard civil, not military, flag salute.


What is the highest salute you can receive in the military?

21


What two courtesies honor the military?

salute


Do you salute political figures?

Not unless you are military.


What is military salute?

Military greeting or salute is a formal military gesture of respect. They do it whenever and whenever they meet a high official or to any military officer to show their respect. They do it also if they are going to speak to the military officer or to give a report.


How do you use the word salute in a sentence?

A salute is a formal gesture of admiration or loyalty. You see this a lot in military organizations. Here are some sentences.I salute you for your excellent work.The private must salute the Sergeant whenever they meet.At the funeral, Dad's military unit gave him a 21-gun salute out of respect.


Why must one salute when walking with an officer?

SALUTE IS THE HIGHEST FORM OF MILITARY COURTESY AMONG MEN AND WOMEN IN THE MILITARY. IF YOU ARE A CIVILIAN WHO WALKS TOGETHER WITH A MILITARY OFFICER, AUTOMATICALLY, THE SUBORDINATES OF THAT MILITARY OFFICER YOU ARE WALKING WITH WILL RENDER A SALUTE AT LEAST 6FT IN DISTANCE AND SHALL BE ANSWERED BY THE OFFICER BEING SALUTED.


How do you spell salute?

The English word is "salute" (military courtesy). The spelling "salut" is a French greeting, or a Catalan phrase used as a toast.


Can Obama return a salute if he did not serve in the military?

Of course. The salute is a ritual that is meant to show respect. For example, when a president exits Air Force One, the military guard at the foot of the plane's stairs salutes the president (whether that president served in the military or not); the president then returns the salute.