Fruits of an isolated society fearing the terrible barbarian invasions, the Knights were one of the most notorious members of the feudal world. Dedicated to the use of weapons and the protection of property, the knight should honor his position by showing a readiness to participate in a fight or defend his lord's lands. More than bravery and military power, this intriguing medieval character was also distinguished by a ritual series that reaffirmed their condition.
According to some historians, to mark their origins, the knights were distinguished through symbols, accessories and gestures. It is at this point that we can suggest an answer to the genesis of military salutes. At Middle Ages, when he passed for a member of the same condition, the knight used to raise the visor of his helmet as a sign of respect and friendship. By looking directly at your neighbor, sought to reaffirm the sharing of skills and values with the other rider.
Over time, this gesture was preserved as the use of military forces gained greater space and importance. In other accounts, we have the description of another ritual that can also be seen as a precursor to military continence. When he presented himself to his superior,
the rider held the rein of his horse with his left hand and raised his right hand to demonstrate that he was ready to engage in combat..Most likely, because of the discomfort that the knight's armor caused, this movement has been simplified until it comes down to the gesture of putting the hand to the head. Throughout the formation of national monarchies, between the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the Modern Age, these greetings were maintained as a means of indicating subordination to the military hierarchy organized within the armies.
in the ranks of British Army, around the 19th century, the soldier could salute by touching his hat with his fingertips or removing it from his head. In the 1890s, in the midst of the Victorian Era, the government of England decreed that continence should be performed when a subordinate was carrying some type of cap or hat.
Currently, the military bow must be done while standing with the movement of the right hand to the head. Breaking the boundaries of the military sphere, continence is now also used by terrorist factions and paramilitary groups, like the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). However, we can still talk about some cases where attempts have been made to deviate from this famous tradition.
Aficionado of the military splendor of the ancient Roman Empire, adolf hitler he decided to change the classic salute to “Hail, Caesar” addressed to the Roman consul (and later dictator) Julio Cesar. In this salute, the subordinate should raise the right arm at a forty-five degree incline. In this case, the sound greeting was duly replaced by "Heil, Hitler", which was also noisily reproduced by several German citizens during the rallies of the fuhrer.
By Rainer Sousa
Graduated in History
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/guerras/a-origem-continencia-militar.htm
