No one knows for sure, but researchers believe that people have been locking lips for thousands of years. There are a number of theories out there about how the kiss got its origin, such as cave mothers chewing their babies’ food and passing it to them by mouth, and “cave couples” kissing to smell each others’ breath as a test of compatibility. Today, about 90 percent of people in the world engage in kissing in some form — from goodnight smooches to nice-to-see-you kisses. Here’s a quick look at the many different meanings of the kiss.
The Romantic Kiss
We see it in the movies and many of us have experienced it ourselves. The romantic kiss between two people who are attracted to each other can be a very sensual experience. There are a variety of kissing styles, ranging from light nibbling on the lips to French kissing involving the tongue. Usually kissing is best done with eyes closed to fully enjoy the feeling.
The Social Kiss
In many parts of the world, the social kiss is used as a greeting. A kiss on the cheek (of male and female friends) is used in some areas of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America instead of a hug or handshake. There are even specific ways to do it, depending on geography. For instance, people in Argentina kiss once on the right cheek, while the French kiss on both cheeks, first the right and then the left.
The Kiss of Peace
When most of us think of kissing, our minds go to the romantic kiss, but there are plenty of other kinds of kisses as well. One example is the kiss of peace. The kiss of peace is a kiss given as part of a religious ceremony or service, especially at a baptism or a mass. This kiss is a symbol of Christian love and unity.
Hand kissing is the act of someone showing humility, respect, or even requesting protection. Its history goes back to classical times when people were known to kiss the hands and feet of statues of their idols. Hand kissing has also played an important role in Christianity and once was a sign of respect in various European military situations.
That Very First Kiss
A first kiss is often highly anticipated in a new romantic relationship. “The first kiss is our romanticized cultural obsession with the perceived loss of innocence that occurs after a relationship is transformed from a platonic connection to a romantic connection,” explains Jeffrey Sumber, a relationship coach, psychotherapist, author, and teacher in Chicago.
Kissing games have been around for a long time. Besides the classic Spin the Bottle, other kissing games include Kiss or Dare (like Truth or Dare, except that instead of truth the person must kiss the instigator if he doesn’t complete the dare), Ice Ice Baby (where a cube of ice is passed from mouth to mouth around a circle), and Secret’s Out (each half of the couple thinks of a word, but doesn’t tell the other person what it is, instead kissing him/her every time the word is spoken).
Sealed With a Kiss
When we hear the words “sealed with a kiss,” many of us think of something packaged up with love. In reality, however, its history goes back quite far and its meaning runs deep. “The phrase ‘sealed with a kiss’ is actually older than the New Testament and was used to literally agree upon political boundaries, finalize marriage contracts, and heal family disputes,” says Sumber.
'X' Equals a Kiss
Xs and Os have been around for a long time. Traditionally they have meant kisses and hugs at the bottom of a letter (or e-mail, in today’s world). A letter with an X standing for a kiss has been recorded as far back as 1765. The X represents two people kissing each other, while the O symbolizes the arms of people hugging.
The Kiss of Death
“The kiss of death is commonly known as the kiss that Judas gave Jesus in the Garden of Gesthemane and is often a sign of betrayal or deceit,” says Sumber. “In contemporary films, the kiss of death has been offered by everyone from the ‘Godfather’ to ‘Catwoman’ and has come to mark a dramatic mix of love and hate, an almost remorseful goodbye.”
- Last Updated: 03/16/11