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5 Responses to “What does the martial arts hand over fist salute mean exactly?”

1. pugpaws2 on July 31st, 2010 6:30 am

   *********************** Attention !!!

   I believe that this is important, and that it is not taught, so here is the background of this and its tradition. It carries over into the proper way to wear a Gi top and tie the Obi….

   There are several variations of this. One places the left hand (held in a knife hand position) against the fist of the right hand. Another version has the left hand placed palm against the right fist so that the fingers of the left hand lay against the back to the right hand.

   NOTE: in every variation of this the right hand is the fist and the left hand is open. There is a good reason for this. Most people are right handed. In ancient China it was common for Chinese masters to do Iron Palm or other conditioning methods to the left hand. They did this because they were less likely to use it to harm someone than their right hand. They would have to decide to hit with the more trained hand. Because the right hand is more likely to be used the right hand is the one that is held in a fist, while the left is always open. The right hand symbolizes our trained ability to fight. The open left hand symbolizes our preference for peace. Placing the left open hand over the right symbolizes that although we are trained to fight, we restrain that fighting nature and prefer peace.

   NOTE: we were all taught that when wearing a traditional Gi the left flap is to be placed on top of the right flap. This is also symbolizes our trained ability being restrained. In tying our Obi, we also should know that the knot is tied as a square knot with the knothole pointing toward our left.

   In rare cases it is proper to tie the knot so that the knothole faces the right. Master instructors may do so in some styles. Also if the Head of a style (Soke) passes away and is buried in his Gi, it is proper to tie the obi so that the knothole points to the right, and to place the right flap of the Gi top on top, instead of the left.

   **** I have made a study of the way people tie their belts and wear their Gi tops. I find that most people, including very high ranks do not know these traditions. As such they do not teach their students these traditions either. ****

   NOTE: Even the Isshinryu patch shows this same symbolism in that the Water Goddess (Mezu Gami) is depicted holding here right hand in a fist while here left hand is open.

   …

2. Bujinkan Ninja on July 31st, 2010 6:30 am

   I believe it originated in Kung Fu. I think it means peace. I could me mistaken.

   Again, Pugpaws2 has given a very enlightening answer. He should definitely be given the best answer.

3. callsignfuzzy on July 31st, 2010 6:30 am

   According to Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming’s book, "Shaolin Longfist Kung Fu", it symbolizes the Ming dynasty. The sun and moon together mean "bright", a homonym of which, in Mandarin, is Ming. But I’ve witnessed this practice in a few different cultural settings as well, so I’m a bit dubious to that claim. Either way, it seems the left hand over the right is what subordinates use when saluting a superior, who will return the salute in reverse (right hand over left fist).

4. Integrated Self Defense Services on July 31st, 2010 6:30 am

   This is, for the most part, a Chinese tradition. China is huge in region and as a result the customs and practices vary widely from area to area. There are a wide variety of meanings associated with the salutes of closed fist with open hand covering and their differences are dictated by the particular group’s unique interpretation of the salute.

   The two open hands, palms pressed together, with a slight bow is a universal bow of respect.

   The one hand closed and one hand open and covering has a very loose interpretation of being, I am trained and willing to fight (closed fist) but I don’t want to fight (open hand covering).

   At times the left hand open and right hand closed indicated alliance with one major political faction in direct opposition to the other major political faction that would reverse the salute (right hand open, left fist closed).

   Bak Mei (White Eyebrow) Kung Fu, that I study, has a salute of one closed fist with one hand open and pointed directly up. It symbolizes the (closed fist) five provinces of China, and (open hand) the four seas that surround China. The open hand is positioned straight up to signify neutrality, taking no sides in political conflict. The closed fist warns of training and a willingness to fight if the situation justifies it.

   There are more intricate and complex salutes that represent families, villages, or particular factions that gained reputation.

   The hand salutes also exist in Filipino Martial arts and there they become much more complex, almost like sign language and communicate volumes of information and intent if one is trained on how to read them.

   In the U.S. military, the salute is rooted in the days where knights raised their visors to talk to their superiors.

   Salutes, universally, symbolize something but I don’t know the origins and meanings of all of them.

5. CTC on July 31st, 2010 6:30 am

   Its a Chinese thing. Its just a type of salute to show respect. Theres no sense in looking into it too much.

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