Bowing

The bow is a posture of man, which usually expresses respect.

In Asia, the bow is used when greeting; in particular it is there not customary to shake hands. In many martial arts, the counterparty bow before and after the battle of respect for each other, upon entering the dojo and before training or competition area.

Deposits in Western culture

In Western culture, the bow has become rare as a greeting. In certain situations, it nevertheless represents an ordinary, reasonable gesture of Respekterweisung dar. She is reserved exclusively for men, women curtsey - apart from the performing arts, where all the actors, sometimes at premieres in theaters and directors, according to a presentation before the applauding audience bow to accept the applause. The depth of the bow is proportional to the degree of respect and of gratitude.

At funerals it is customary that undertaker bow in different situations before the casket or urn of the deceased, for example, before they raised and before they are lowered into the grave. Here the bow expresses respect for the deceased and, for example, accompanied by other respectful gestures such as taking off the hat.

Scrape

In aristocratic and court circles of the so-called scrape was formerly required: It is an arm was pressed against the upper body during the bow, the other slightly held away from the body and at the same time a foot is pulled back over the ground, causing the scratchy sound originated.

Following the scrape established itself in the German language, this expression scrape as a synonym for death.