Over time, the custom of kissing developed as a way for adults to express their
love and affection for one another. The roots of this form of affection can be t
raced back to primitive times, when mothers fondled their children, much as moth
ers do today.
Much later, in the sixth century, society apparently accepted the custom of
kissing between adults as an expression of their affection. Not surprisingly, Fr
ance first accepted kissing in courtship, and in amore. There, figure dancing wa
s the rage, and each dance was sealed with a kiss.
The custom of kissing swept from France through Europe to Russia, where Russ
ian nobility loved to ape the French. Eventually, the kiss was incorporated into
marriage ceremonies, and today lip-locks couples into sweet matrimony
The custom of kissing today, as well as in ancient times, serves to show re
spect, and to pay homage to another. For example, early Romans kissed each other
on the mouth or on the eyes to greet one another in a manner they deemed to be
a dignified. One Roman emperor even ranked a person's importance by the body par
t he was allowed to kiss. He allowed important nobles to kiss his lips, less imp
ortant ones to kiss his hands, and the least important ones to kiss his feet.
In Russia, the highest sign of recognition from the Crown meant a kiss from
the Tsar himself. Today, natives of many African tribes pay homage to their Chie
f by kissing the ground over which he has walked.