What are the ways to kowtow?

During the Chinese New Year, if there are old people at home, parents will let their children kowtow to their elders to pay New Year greetings. The kowtow here is a bow ceremony in China's traditional western etiquette. So what is the origin of the bowing ceremony and what is the correct way?

First of all, the bow-down ceremony in our country originated in the Eastern Han Dynasty, because in. Before the Eastern Han Dynasty, there was no desk in China. When people eat, read and talk about things in class, they spread a mat on the floor, then kneel on the ground with their hips on their heels. At this time, their soles are outward and backward. When you receive guests on the mat, you need to straighten your upper body, and then bend down to let your forehead touch the ground, because you have to thank them and show respect. In this way, in the process of gradual spread, the present bowing ceremony was formed. In the past, bowing ceremony was used to express rank, but in modern society, bowing ceremony is generally used to express respect or blessing for birthdays, sacrifices or Spring Festival.

Secondly, there is a standard way to bow down. Although kowtowing seems easy, it is very particular. There are generally three ghosts and four gods. Otherwise, carving the head wrong will not only make people look at jokes, but also make people feel impolite. For example, if you need to kowtow to the elderly at home during the New Year, and you have a genealogy at home, you need to kowtow to your ancestors at home first. At this time, you need to get up with four heads, but if you kowtow like the old people at home, your hands must not exceed your forehead and eyebrows.

Finally, the most traditional and authentic kneeling ceremony is to kneel on the ground first, then press your left hand on your right hand, lean over and hold your hand on the ground, and then slowly buckle your head on the ground. When bowing, the most important thing is to be sincere in your heart and bow with good wishes or respectful thoughts. Bowing is just a form, and your inner thoughts are the most important.