135-529: The Roman salute , also known as the Fascist salute , is a gesture in which the right arm is fully extended, facing forward, with palm down and fingers touching. In some versions, the arm is raised upward at an angle; in others, it is held out parallel to the ground. In contemporary times, the former is commonly considered a symbol of fascism that had been based on a custom popularly attributed to ancient Rome . However, no Roman text gives this description, and
270-420: A cover (headwear, usually a hat) is worn. When carrying a sword, still done on ceremonial occasions, European military forces and their cultural descendants use a two-step gesture. The sword is first raised, in the right hand, to the level of and close to the front of the neck. The blade is inclined forward and up 30 degrees from the vertical; the true edge is to the left. Then the sword is slashed downward to
405-527: A hat-brim between fingers and thumb. Hand salutes are normally carried out by bringing the right hand to the head in some way, the precise manner varying between countries and sometimes amongst various branches of the armed forces of the same country. The British Army's salute is almost identical to the French salute, with the palm facing outward. The customary salute in the Polish Armed Forces
540-486: A battle was halted to remove the dead and wounded, then three shots were fired to signal readiness to re-engage. In the Commonwealth of Nations , only commissioned officers are saluted, and the salute is to the commission they carry from their respective commanders-in-chief representing the monarch , not the officers themselves. In both countries, the right-hand salute is generally identical to, and drawn from
675-526: A boulder with right hand raised, Constantine is addressing his soldiers, but also pointing to a cross in the sky. The use of adlocutio is also found in literary texts that evoke the Roman era. For example, in Miguel de Cervantes play, Numancia Scipio, the Roman general addresses his troops in like manner The gestures of adlocutio as a sign of power is found in a number of statues of leaders and thinkers of
810-413: A controversy over her alleged use of the Roman salute, with calls for her to step down. She denied the accusation, stating "I've never either done or thought of doing any gesture that is an apology of fascism, something toward which I've never showed any indulgence, let alone sympathy. And why should I have made a public display of such a despicable gesture shortly after I've been made a minister?" A video of
945-479: A courteous salutation. As early as 1745, a British order book stated that: "The men are ordered not to pull off their hats when they pass an officer, or to speak to them, but only to clap up their hands to their hats and bow as they pass." Over time, it became conventionalized into something resembling the modern hand salute. In the Austrian Army the practice of making a hand salute replaced that of removing
1080-601: A customary salute, as is often believed. It was more likely to be an isolated appeal by desperate captives and criminals condemned to die. On October 12, 1892, the Bellamy salute was demonstrated as the hand gesture to accompany the Pledge of Allegiance in the United States. The inventor of the saluting gesture was James B. Upham, junior partner and editor of The Youth's Companion . Bellamy recalled Upham, upon reading
1215-819: A dirty palm, decreed that in future sailors of the fleet would salute palm down, with the palm facing the ground. Though part of the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines salute in the style of the British Army, with the right hand palm facing forward. In the British Empire (originally in the maritime and hinterland sphere of influence of the East India Company , HEIC, later transformed into crown territories), mainly in British India ,
1350-428: A distant history that legitimized Italy's past and inspired its dreams" and which "delivered the spirit for conquest that seemed to arrive from the distant past", thereby presaging the "political rituals of fascism", "thanks ... to its prime supporter and apostle, Gabriele d'Annunzio." Variations on the salute occur throughout Cabiria on the part of Romans and Africans. Scipio uses the gesture once. Fulvius Axilla,
1485-512: A drill manual (or parade) protocol dictates otherwise, the duration of the salute is timed at three beats of the quick-time march (approximately 1.5 seconds), timed from the moment the senior member first returns it. In situations where cover (or "headdress", as it is called in the Australian Army) is not being worn, the salute is given verbally; the junior party (or at least the senior member thereof) will first come to attention, then offer
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#17327811648371620-520: A full salute. But within the Forward Edge of the Battle Area (FEBA) no salutes of any kind are given, under any circumstances; it is always sensible to assume that there are snipers in the area who may see or overhear. In this case, parties personally known to each other are addressed familiarly by their first or given names, regardless of rank; senior officers are addressed as one might address
1755-404: A general, usually the emperor, to his massed army and legions, and a general form of Roman salute from the army to their leader. The research of adlocutio focuses on the art of statuary and coinage aspects. It is often portrayed in sculpture, either simply as a single, life-size contrapposto figure of the general with his arm outstretched, or a relief scene of the general on a podium addressing
1890-525: A gesture closely approximating the style used by fascists in the 20th century in Italy, albeit with the "wrong" arms. Art historian Albert Boime provides the following analysis: The brothers stretch out their arms in a salute that has since become associated with tyranny. The "Hail Caesar" of antiquity (although at the time of the Horatii a Caesar had yet to be born) was transformed into the "Heil Hitler" of
2025-451: A group, often soldiers. Unlike modern custom, in which both the leader and the people he addresses raise their arms, most of these scenes show only the senior official raising his hand. Occasionally it is a sign of greeting or benevolence, but usually it is used as an indication of power. An opposite depiction is the salutatio of a diogmites , a military police officer, who raises his right arm to greet his commander during his adventus on
2160-479: A long-established military courtesy for subordinates to remove their headgear in the presence of superiors. As late as the American Revolution, a British Army soldier saluted by removing his hat. With the advent of increasingly cumbersome headgear in the 18th and 19th centuries, the act of removing one's hat was gradually converted into the simpler gesture of grasping or touching the visor and issuing
2295-405: A low-ranking superior who does not rate the full "present arms" salute. In the "order arms salute," the rifle rests on its butt by the sentry's right foot, held near the muzzle by the sentry's right hand, and does not move. The sentry brings his flattened left hand across his body and touches the rifle near its muzzle. When the rifle is being carried on the shoulder, a similar gesture is used in which
2430-491: A mass. Also the weakened architectural background and the sheltering roof covering soldiers and their commander can be interpreted as more amiable atmosphere between Nero and his soldiers. Nero is not standing alone on the platform, there is the Praetorian prefect who stands behind him. This panel presents an integral angle looking at adlocutio scene. On this panel depicting the adlocutio event, emperor Marcus Aurelius
2565-454: A match against archrivals A.S. Roma and then against A.S. Livorno Calcio (a club inclined to leftist politics). Di Canio received a one match game ban after the second event and was fined 7,000 euros, after which he was quoted as saying "I will always salute as I did because it gives me a sense of belonging to my people [...] I saluted my people with what for me is a sign of belonging to a group that holds true values, values of civility against
2700-518: A nod to a patrolling soldier is generally appreciated. In the German Bundeswehr , the salute is performed with a flat hand, with the thumb resting on the index finger. The hand is slightly tilted to the front so that the thumb can not be seen. The upper arm is horizontal and the fingers point to the temple but do not touch it or the headgear. Every soldier saluting another uniformed soldier is entitled to be saluted in return. Soldiers below
2835-462: A position with the point close to the ground in front of the right foot. The blade is inclined down and forward with the true edge to the left. This gesture originated in the Crusades . The hilt of a sword formed a cross with the blade, so if a crucifix was not available, a Crusader could kiss the hilt of his sword when praying, before entering battle, for oaths and vows, and so on. The lowering of
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#17327811648372970-409: A relief from 2nd-century Ephesus . An example of a salutational gesture of imperial power can be seen in the statue of Augustus of Prima Porta which follows certain guidelines set out by oratory scholars of his day. In Rhetorica ad Herennium the anonymous author states that the orator "will control himself in the entire frame of his body and in the manly angle of his flanks, with the extension of
3105-576: A salute of this kind. The gesture of the raised right arm or hand in Roman and other ancient cultures that does exist in surviving literature and art generally had a significantly different function and is never identical with the modern straight-arm salute. The right hand (Lat. dextera , dextra ; Gr. δεξιά – dexia ) was commonly used in antiquity as a symbol of pledging trust, friendship or loyalty. For example, Cicero reported that Octavian pledged an oath to Julius Caesar while outstretching his right hand: "Although that youth [the young Caesar Octavian]
3240-454: A similar salute for the Pledge of Allegiance known as the Bellamy salute was created by Francis Bellamy in 1892. The gesture was further elaborated upon in popular culture during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in plays and films that portrayed the salute as an ancient Roman custom. These included the 1914 Italian film Cabiria whose intertitles were written by the nationalist poet Gabriele d'Annunzio . In 1919, d'Annunzio adopted
3375-399: A soldier killed in the line of duty (irrespective of rank) has to be saluted by all ranks of personnel. Since 1917, the British Army's salute has been given with the right hand palm facing forwards with the fingers almost touching the cap or beret. Before 1917, for Other Ranks (i.e. not officers) the salute was given with whichever hand was furthest from the person being saluted, whether that
3510-557: A stranger, courteously, but without any naming or mark of respect. Much as the British salute described above (except the palm is level with the ground, without the U.S.A. slight over-rotation of the wrist), the Canadian military salutes to demonstrate a mark of respect and courtesy for the commissioned ranks. When in uniform and not wearing headdress one does not salute. Instead, compliments shall be paid by standing at attention. If on
3645-477: A swift turning of the head towards the person that is being saluted is made instead. The same applies if the right hand is carrying any item that cannot easily be transferred to the left hand. During inspections and when on guard duty, the salute is made by coming to attention. Drivers of moving vehicles never salute. In formations, only the commander salutes. Swiss soldiers are required to salute any higher-ranking military personnel whenever they encounter them. When
3780-427: A typical rallying cry at neo-fascist events: "For all fallen comrades!" This prompted criticism from the opposition and outrage. Marco Vizzardelli, a theatre-goer who was quickly identified by DIGOS for shouting "Long live anti-fascist Italy!" at La Scala , said that he was "outraged", adding: "Nobody stopped them, double standards." Fabio Rampelli of Brothers of Italy (FdI), an MSI-heir party that also commemorates
3915-460: A variance thereof, on multiple occasions. However, the oath of allegiance by the Lebanese army and the salute to the flag both use the Roman salute – possibly due to Vichy France's influence shortly before independence was officially gained in 1943 – even to this day. In Portugal the salute is still used today by the military to take their oath to the national flag, when they successfully complete
4050-608: A vehicle). Persons entitled to the salute include commissioned officers , warrant officers , the President of the United States , officers of friendly foreign nations, and recipients of the Medal of Honor (including enlisted personnel ). Additionally, the flag of the United States is saluted during parades and other ceremonial functions. Adlocutio In ancient Rome the Latin word adlocutio means an address given by
4185-400: A weapon (in their right hand). Others also note that the raising of one's visor was a way to identify oneself saying "This is who I am, and I am not afraid." Medieval visors were, to this end, equipped with a protruding spike that allowed the visor to be raised using a saluting motion. The US Army Quartermaster School provides another explanation of the origin of the hand salute: that it was
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4320-406: Is called " present arms "; the rifle is brought to the vertical, muzzle up, in front of the center of the chest with the trigger away from the body. The hands hold the stock close to the positions they would have if the rifle were being fired, though the trigger is not touched. Less formal salutes include the "order arms salute" and the "shoulder arms salutes." These are most often given by a sentry to
4455-457: Is doing an adlocutio toward the army with his son-in-law Pompeianus standing behind him as an adviser, making Marcus Aurelius stand out as the leader, the imperator of the army. The Roman salute in military contexts, is often seen as the right hands raised from the soldiers to their leader's head. As depicted in the Trajan's Column, Scenes LXXXIV-LXXXV. Trajan conducting sacrifice, half of
4590-437: Is holding three swords, while his right hand is empty, with fingers stretched but not touching. The brother closest to the viewer is holding his arm almost horizontally. The brother on the left is holding his arm slightly higher, while the third brother holds his hand higher still. While the first brother extends his right arm, the other two are extending their left arms. The succession of arms raised progressively higher leads to
4725-414: Is performed with a flat hand, palm facing forwards; the upper arm is horizontal and the tips of the fingers come near the corner of the eyes. The hand, unlike the British salute, remains at a 45-degree angle in line with the lower arm. The five fingers are lined together. It mirrors the gesture made by knights greeting each other, raising their visors to show their faces. A crisp tension may be given when
4860-521: Is powerful and has told Antony off nicely: yet, after all, we must wait to see the end. But what a speech! He swore his oath with the words: 'so may I achieve the honours of my father!', and at the same time he stretched out his right hand in the direction of his statue." Sculptures commemorating military victories such as those on the Arch of Titus , the Arch of Constantine , or on the Column of Trajan are
4995-520: Is quickly raised straight up to the headgear. The fingers straight but not stiff next to each other, the little finger edge facing forward. One or two finger tips lightly resting against the right part of the headgear (visor), so that the hand does not obstruct the eye. The wrist straight, the elbow angled forward and slightly lower than the shoulder." Salutes to persons are normally not made when further away than 30 m. Hand salutes are performed only when carrying headgear, if bare headed (normally only indoors)
5130-572: Is seen as further evidence that the salute is a modern invention, used in the film to highlight the exotic nature of antiquity. D'Annunzio, who had written the subtitles for the silent movie epic Cabiria , appropriated the salute when he occupied Fiume in 1919. D'Annunzio has been described as the John the Baptist of Italian Fascism , as virtually the entire ritual of Fascism was invented by D'Annunzio during his occupation of Fiume and his leadership of
5265-408: Is similar to the British Army, the hand is brought upwards in a circular motion out from the body, it is stopped 1 inch (25 mm) to the rear and to the right of the right eye, the elbow and wrist are kept in line with the shoulder. The hand is then brought straight down back to the position of attention, this movement is completed to the timing "UP TWO-THREE DOWN". The Naval salute differs in that
5400-520: Is the two-fingers salute , a variation of the British military salute with only two fingers extended. In the Russian military , the right hand, palm down, is brought to the right temple, almost, but not quite, touching; the head has to be covered. In the Hellenic Army salute, the palm is facing down and the fingers point to the coat of arms. In many militaries, hand salutes are only given when
5535-473: The Israel Defense Forces , saluting is normally reserved for special ceremonies. The hand salute is still performed according to the army "Infantry Training – Formal Instructions" regulation, chapter II, section 12 (1939) "The salute is completed sharply ... bringing the right hand vigorously to the visor of the headdress, with the tip of the fingers over the right eye; the hand in line with
Roman salute - Misplaced Pages Continue
5670-765: The National Renaissance Front . In Slovakia, the Hlinka Guard 's Na stráž ! (On guard!) consisted of a half-hearted compromise between a friendly wave and a salute with a straight raised arm. During the Vichy regime in France, the Roman salute was regularly used by members of the Legion of French Volunteers Against Bolshevism and the 33rd Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS Charlemagne . It
5805-531: The Oath of the Horatii , David conveys the unity of minds and bodies in the service of the patriotic ideal. But in this drawing, he takes the subject further, uniting the people beyond just family ties and across different classes, religions, and philosophical opinions. After the republican government was replaced by Napoleon 's imperial régime , David further deployed the gesture in The Distribution of
5940-527: The Roman works of art that display salutational gestures bear little resemblance to the modern Roman salute. Beginning with Jacques-Louis David 's painting The Oath of the Horatii (1784), an association of the gesture with Roman republican and imperial culture emerged. The gesture and its identification with Roman culture were further developed in other neoclassic artworks . In the United States ,
6075-519: The Veterans of Foreign Wars , Congress passed Public Law 77-623 , which codified the etiquette used to display and pledge allegiance to the flag. This included use of the Bellamy salute, specifically that the pledge "be rendered by standing with the right hand over the heart; extending the right hand, palm upward, toward the flag at the words ‘‘to the flag’’ and holding this position until the end, when
6210-517: The gladiators are all raising their right or left arms, holding tridents and other weapons. Their salutation is a well-known Latin phrase quoted in Suetonius , De Vita Caesarum ("The Life of the Caesars", or "The Twelve Caesars"). Despite becoming widely popularised in later times, the phrase is unknown in Roman history aside from this isolated use, and it is questionable whether it was ever
6345-460: The " Italian Regency of Carnaro ". Besides the Roman salute, these included the balcony address, the cries of " Eia, eia, eia! Alalà !" , the dramatic and rhetorical dialogues with the crowd, and the use of religious symbols in new secular settings. Like other neo-Imperial rituals used by D'Annunzio, the salute became part of the Italian fascist movement's symbolic repertoire. On January 31, 1923,
6480-523: The "vassal" indigenous rulers (normally hereditary with a throne, sometimes raised as a personal distinction for an individual ruling prince). Two sovereign monarchies officially outside the Empire were granted a higher honour: thirty-one guns for the royal houses of Afghanistan (under British and Russian influence), and Siam (which was then ruled by the Rattanakosin Kingdom ). In addition,
6615-522: The Chiefs of Staff will salute a Private awarded either a VC or George Cross . The custom of saluting commissioned officers relates wholly to the commission given by His Majesty the King to that officer, not the person. Therefore, when a subordinate airman salutes an officer, he is indirectly acknowledging His Majesty as Head of State. A salute returned by the officer is on behalf of the King. The RAF salute
6750-808: The Eagle Standards (1810). But unlike his previous paintings representing republican ideals, in Eagle Standards the oath of allegiance is pledged to a central authority figure, and in imperial fashion. Boime sees the series of oath pictures as "the coding of key developments in the history of the Revolution and its culmination in Napoleonic authoritarianism". The imperial oath is seen in other paintings, such as Jean-Léon Gérôme 's Ave Caesar! Morituri te salutant (Hail, Caesar, those who are about to die salute you) of 1859. In this painting,
6885-615: The Fascist salute used one hand because Italians were tired of raising both hands to surrender during World War I . The handshake was supposed to disappear from the view of Italians and not contaminate their daily life. In 1938, the party abolished handshaking in films and theater, and on November 21, 1938, the Ministry of Popular Culture issued orders banning the publishing of photographs showing people shaking hands. Even official photographs of visiting dignitaries were retouched to remove
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#17327811648377020-760: The German state when the Nazis took power in 1933. It was also adopted by other fascist, far right and ultranationalist movements. Since the end of World War II , displaying the Nazi variant of the salute has been a criminal offence in Germany, Austria, Czechia, Slovakia, and Poland. Legal restrictions on its use in Italy are more nuanced and use there has generated controversy. The gesture and its variations continue to be used in neo-fascist , neo-Nazi , and Falangist contexts. The modern gesture consists of stiffly extending
7155-616: The Ministry of Education instituted a ritual honoring the flag in schools using the Roman salute. In 1925, as Mussolini began his fascitization of the state, the salute was gradually adopted by the regime, and by December 1, 1925, all state civil administrators were required to use it. Achille Starace , the Italian Fascist Party secretary, pushed for measures to make the use of the Roman salute generally compulsory, denouncing hand shaking as bourgeois . He further extolled
7290-639: The Renaissance, painters and sculptors continued to use this pose. The pose was made available to a larger public by Antonio Lafreri whose compilation of ancient images or Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae , contained several emperors in this pose. In the Hall of Constantine at the Vatican, we can view the fresco of The Vision of the Cross completed by assistants to Raphael after his death in 1520. Standing on
7425-789: The Royal Navy), adopted by all elements of the Canadian Forces after unification in 1968, rather than the British (Army) form with the palm facing forward. In the Danish military , there are two types of military salutes. The first type is employed by the Royal Danish Navy and Guard Hussar Regiment Mounted Squadron , and is the same as the one used by the U.S. The second is employed by the Royal Danish Army and Royal Danish Air Force , and goes as follows: Raise
7560-583: The Spanish people"). These lyrics remained part of the Spanish national anthem until 1978. After a meeting with Mussolini, in December 1937, Yugoslav Prime Minister Milan Stojadinović and chairman of Yugoslav Radical Union adopted a version of the salute as he took to styling himself as Vođa (Leader) . On January 4, 1939, the salute by raising one arm was adopted in Romania under a statute promulgating
7695-695: The Third Reich ordered to replace the standard military salute with the Hitler salute. Similar forms of salutes were adopted by various groups. Its use in France dates back to the revolution. It will be used also by the Jeunesses Patriotes (Patriotic Youth) , a movement led by Pierre Taittinger , would give the fascist salute at meetings while shouting "Dictatorship!". Marcel Bucard 's Mouvement Franciste , founded in September 1933, adopted
7830-626: The United States through the Bellamy salute, has been traced to the Broadway production of the play Ben-Hur . The play, based on Lew Wallace 's book Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ , opened on Broadway in November 1899 and proved to be a great success. Photographs show several scenes using the gesture, including one of Ben-Hur greeting a seated sheik and another of a small crowd so greeting Ben-Hur in his chariot. Neither Wallace's novel nor text for
7965-661: The United States. The salute was on display in the 1968 funeral for Mussolini's youngest daughter, Anna Maria Mussolini Negri . When the Italian Social Movement had its greatest electoral gains since the Second World War in June 1971, crowds at the party headquarters cheered and gave the outstretched arm salute. On July 29, 1983, on the 100th anniversary of Mussolini's birth, thousands of black-shirted supporters chanted "Duce! Duce!" with their arms raised in
8100-464: The activities of Gioventù Nazionale , youth wing of the right-wing political party Brothers of Italy . The investigation captured members of National Youth engaging in chanting slogans, singing songs, and making the salute associated with fascism . These behaviors were said to be encouraged privately within the group but discouraged publicly to avoid media scrutiny. Eric Mamer , spokesperson for European Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen , criticized
8235-404: The arm in the impassioned moments of speech, and by drawing in the arm in relaxed moods". Quintilian states in his Institutio Oratoria : "Experts do not permit the hand to be raised above the level of the eyes or lowered beneath the breast; to such a degree is this true that it is considered a fault to direct the hand above the head or lower it to the lower part of the belly. It may be extended to
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#17327811648378370-524: The army. The term "ADLOCVT COH" refers to adlocutio cohortium , which means the address given by the emperor towards the cohorts as the AE coin is presenting. Caligula uses the typical gesture: outstretching raised-arm salute, bent left leg. The soldiers are standing in a compact line. In the coin AE of Nero with adlocutio , soldiers are standing in more scattered position compared to those who are depicted in AE of Caligula with adlocutio , which are adhering in
8505-500: The army. Such relief scenes also frequently appear on imperial coinage. The adlocutio is one of the most widely represented formulas of Roman art. The convention is regularly shown in individual figures like the famous Augustus of Prima Porta or can be put into a narrative context as seen in the Aurelian panel. Gestures and body language are crucial for the study of adlocutio in ancient times, as addressing to thousands of soldiers
8640-528: The ban on all non-Nazi parties. The Wehrmacht refused to adopt the Hitler salute and was able for a time to maintain its own customs. The military were required to use the Hitler salute only while singing the Horst Wessel Lied and German national anthem , and in non-military encounters such as greeting members of the civilian government. Only after the July 20 Plot in 1944 were the military forces of
8775-429: The best-known examples of raised arms in art from this period. However, these monuments do not display a single clear image of the Roman salute. The images closest in appearance to a raised arm salute are scenes in Roman sculpture and coins which show an adlocutio , acclamatio , adventus , or profectio . These are occasions when a high-ranking official, such as a general or the emperor, addresses individuals or
8910-623: The branch. In the Ground and the Air Self-Defense Forces, the salute is 90 degrees under the armpit like the U.S. Armed Forces. In the Maritime Self-Defense Forces, the salute is a 45-degree angle because of the narrowness of a ship's interior spaces. To prevent a member's elbow from hitting other members, subordinates may be given approval to not salute in a corridor inside the ship. Furthermore, in all
9045-485: The branches, if a member is not wearing their cap, then they should salute by bowing 10 degrees. In Pakistan , the salute is generally identical to that of British armed forces. In the Army and Air Force , the salute is given with the right hand palm facing forward and fingers slightly touching the right side of the forehead, but not on the forehead. The Navy continues to salute palm down. The salute must be performed by
9180-429: The cinematographically depicted salute as a neo-imperial ritual when he led an occupation of Fiume . Through d'Annunzio's influence, the gesture soon became part of the rising Italian Fascist movement's symbolic repertoire. In 1923, the salute was gradually adopted by the Italian Fascist regime. It was then adopted as the Nazi salute and made compulsory within the Nazi Party in 1926 and gained national prominence in
9315-420: The controversy intensified. School boards around the country revised the salute to avoid the similarity. There was a counter-backlash from the United States Flag Association and the Daughters of the American Revolution , who felt it inappropriate for Americans to have to change the traditional salute because others had later adopted a similar gesture. On June 22, 1942, at the urging of the American Legion and
9450-541: The crowd raise arms extended straight and another half bent at the elbow. Among the straight arms, one palm is open but held vertically; on the others, both thumb and index fingers are extended with others bent back. And for the hands of the bent arm, their fingers on the hands are pointing downwards. The adlocutio scenes depicted in sculpture and on coins and medallions are almost identical to this raised-arm salute. The first-century-A.D. teacher of rhetoric and author of most Roman oratory handbook, Quintilian has discussed about
9585-409: The end of World War II. Section 86a of the German Penal Code provides for punishment of up to three years in prison for anyone using the salute, unless it is used for artistic, scientific, or educational purposes. The Greek nationalist party Golden Dawn used the Roman salute unofficially. Golden Dawn was accused by its opponents of being neo-Nazi, but the party denies this and claims that the salute
9720-585: The event was posted on the Web site of the newspaper La Repubblica that showed Brambilla extending her right arm upward in what appears to be a fascist salute. Brambilla said she was just greeting the crowd. In January 2024, hundreds of neo-fascists gathered at the MSI's former headquarters to commemorate the Acca Larentia killings. They performed fascist salutes and shouted: " Camerati , present!" They also did
9855-657: The fascist Falange Española de las JONS party and merged it with the Carlist , monarchist, and ultracatholic Traditionalist Communion , creating the FET y de las JONS ( Falange Española Tradicionalista y de las Juntas de Ofensiva Nacional Sindicalista , lit. 'Traditionalist Spanish Phalanx of the Councils of the National Syndicalist Offensive"), he formally approved the salute in a decree which made it
9990-459: The fascist salute on a march from his native village of Predappio in Romagna to the cemetery where he was buried. On the eve of Silvio Berlusconi 's election victory in 1994, young supporters of Gianfranco Fini made the fascist salute while chanting "Duce! Duce!" In 2005, Italian footballer Paolo Di Canio created controversy by twice using the gesture to salute S.S. Lazio fans, first in
10125-497: The first phase of military instruction. Formed in front of the highest symbol of national sovereignty, the military raise their right arm pointed towards the flag and take their oath. The Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging , a neo-Nazi political party and paramilitary force known for its advocacy of an all-white Afrikaner Volkstaat , has used Nazi-style uniforms, flags, insignia, and salutes at meetings and public rallies. Hundreds of supporters in 2010 delivered straight-arm salutes outside
10260-408: The flattened free hand is brought across the body to touch the rifle near the rear of the receiver. A different type of salute with a rifle is a ritual firing performed during military funerals , known as a three-volley salute . In this ceremonial act, an odd number of riflemen fire three blank cartridges in unison into the air over the casket. This originates from an old European tradition wherein
10395-436: The forearm, with the palm facing downwards, the fingers joined and stretched, the index finger in contact with the edge of the visor; horizontal arm, forearm naturally inclined" . The air force and navy use the same procedure, with the single exception of the navy boatswains that salute left-handed while giving the traditional "pipe aboard", as their right hand is used to hold the boatswain's call . When given individually,
10530-533: The formation of the revolutionary government in a similar style. In the Tennis Court Oath (1792) the National Assembly are all depicted with their arms outstretched, united in an upward gesture comparable to that of the Horatii, as they swear to create a new constitution. The painting was never finished, but an immense drawing was exhibited in 1791 alongside the Oath of the Horatii . As in
10665-466: The funeral for its founder and former leader Eugène Terre'Blanche , who was murdered by two black farm workers over an alleged wage dispute. The Taiwanese oath of office is performed by raising a fully extended right arm with palm down and fingers touching towards the national flag and a picture of Sun Yat-sen . The Red Hand of Ulster Salute is a modified version of the Roman Salute in which
10800-446: The gesture grew, and it was felt that the proper salute "had the effect of showing the fascist man's decisive spirit, which was close to that of ancient Rome". The salute was seen to demonstrate the fascist's "decisive spirit, firmness, seriousness, and acknowledgment and acceptance of the regime's hierarchical structure". It was further felt that the correct physical gesture brought forth a change in character. A joke claimed, however, that
10935-418: The hand and arm gestures, the emperor's raised hands carry the message of mighty force of absolute power to his soldiers and civilians, and when a hand is raised above shoulder height, the gesture is probably signalling the warning as " illa cava et rara et super umeri altitudinem elata ... velut hortatrix manus ." . This information might be the historical origin to Nazi Germany's straight-arm salute . During
11070-763: The hand and holding it at face level. In the early 1930s, the salute was used by members of the Estonian nationalist right wing Vaps Movement , as well as the Brazilian Integralist Action , who used to salute by raising one arm. The Brazilian form of the Salute was called "Anauê" – a word used as a salutation and as a cry by the Brazilian indigenous Tupi people , meaning "you are my brother". In Greece in 1936, when Ioannis Metaxas and his 4th of August Regime took power, an almost identical salute
11205-411: The hand drops to the side." Congress did not discuss or take into account the controversy over use of the salute. Congress later amended the code on December 22, 1942, when it passed Public Law 77-829 . Among other changes, it eliminated the Bellamy salute and replaced it with the stipulation that the pledge "be rendered by standing with the right hand over the heart." The gesture, already established in
11340-572: The hand is raised vertically to symbolise the Red Hand of Ulster . It is used by some Rangers F.C. fans to show an affinity with the Loyalist cause. Its similarity to the Nazi salute has caused offence and the football club and its supporters' association have asked them not to use it. Salute A salute is usually a formal hand gesture or other action used to display respect in military situations. Salutes are primarily associated with
11475-470: The hatband or right eyebrow. This is often accompanied by the salutation "Jai Hind" which means long live India or Victory to India, or the regimental salutation, e.g. "Sat Sri Akal" in the Sikh Regiment . The Navy salute has the palm facing towards the ground at a 90-degree angle. The Indian Air Force salute involves the right arm being sharply raised from the front by the shortest possible way, with
11610-436: The head, usually a hat) is worn. If the head is not covered or when the personnel is carrying a rifle on the shoulder the head salute is performed by nodding the head forward slightly while maintaining erect posture. The salute (hand or head) must be performed first by the lower ranking personnel to the higher ranking personnel, and higher official is expected to return the salute, under all conditions except: The casket of
11745-480: The headdress in 1790, although officers wearing cocked hats continued to remove them when greeting superiors until 1868. The naval salute is said to have evolved because the palms of sailors were often covered with tar and pitch, so Queen Victoria required that palm be turned downwards. During the Napoleonic Wars , British crews saluted officers by touching a clenched fist to the brow as though grasping
11880-571: The image of their handshaking. In Germany, the salute, sporadically used by the Nazi Party (NSDAP) since 1923, was made compulsory within the movement in 1926. Called the Hitler salute ( Hitlergruß ), it functioned both as an expression of commitment within the party and as a demonstrative statement to the outside world. Yet in spite of this demand for the outward display of obedience, the drive to gain acceptance did not go unchallenged, even within
12015-598: The left within the limits of the shoulder, but beyond that it is not fitting." Beginning with Jacques-Louis David 's painting The Oath of the Horatii (1784), an association of the gesture with Roman republican and imperial culture emerged. The painting shows the three sons of Horatius swear on their swords, held by their father, that they will defend Rome to the death. It is based on a historical event described by Livy (Book I, sections 24-6) and elaborated by Dionysius in Roman Antiquities (Book III). However,
12150-585: The lower rank officials to the higher rank officials under all conditions except when the higher rank official is not in uniform or if the lower rank official is the driver and the vehicle is in motion. The salute is never performed by the left hand even if the right hand is occupied. Military personnel of the People's Liberation Army salute palm-down, similar to the Royal Navy or US Military salutes. Polish military personnel use two fingers to salute , with
12285-605: The march, arms shall be swung and the head turned to the left or right as required. On Remembrance Day , 2009, The Prince of Wales attended the national ceremony in Ottawa with Governor General Michaëlle Jean —both wearing Canadian military dress. CBC live television coverage of the event noted that, when Prince Charles saluted, he performed the Canadian form of the salute with a cupped hand (the British "naval salute"—appropriate, as he did his military service as an officer in
12420-485: The middle and index fingers extended and touching each other, while the ring and little fingers are bent and touched by the thumb. The salute is only used while wearing a headdress with the emblem of the Polish eagle (such as military hat rogatywka ) or without this emblem (such as Boonie hat or helmet). Salutes are similar to those of the Royal Navy . The official instruction for stationary salute states: "The right hand
12555-478: The military and law enforcement, but many civilian organizations, such as Girl Guides , Boy Scouts and the Salvation Army use formal salutes. Ordinary civilians also salute informally to greet or acknowledge the presence of another person, such as a tip of the hat or a hand wave to a friend or neighbor. Throughout history, military organizations have used many methods to perform salutes. Depending on
12690-478: The military/police. The command for this gesture in Indonesian is Hormat, Gerak! . Military and police personnel armed with a rifle during a ceremony will implement a present arms while personnel unarmed will execute the hand salute. This is done during the raising and/or lowering of the national flag , rendition or singing of the national anthem , and when saluting a person or object worth saluting. In
12825-469: The modern period. The fraternal intimacy brought about by the Horatii's dedication to absolute principles of victory or death ... is closely related to the establishment of the fraternal order ... In the total commitment or blind obedience of a single, exclusive group lies the potentiality of the authoritarian state. After the French Revolution of 1789, David was commissioned to depict
12960-463: The moment depicted in David's painting is his own creation. Neither Livy nor Dionysius mention any oath taking episode. Dionysius, the more detailed source, reports that the father had left to his sons the decision to fight then raised his hands to the heavens to thank the gods. Dominating the center of The Oath of the Horatii is the brothers' father, facing left. He has both hands raised. His left hand
13095-498: The movement. Early objections focused on its resemblance to the Roman salute employed by Fascist Italy, and hence on it not being Germanic . In response, efforts were made to establish its pedigree and invent a proper tradition after the fact. The compulsory use of the Hitler salute for all public employees followed a directive issued by Reich Minister of the Interior Wilhelm Frick on July 13, 1933, one day before
13230-530: The numbers of guns fired as a gun salute to the ruler of a so-called princely state became a politically highly significant indicator of his status , not governed by objective rules, but awarded (and in various cases increased) by the British paramount power, roughly reflecting his state's socio-economic, political and/or military weight, but also as a prestigious reward for loyalty to the Raj, in classes (always odd numbers) from three to twenty-one (seven lacking), for
13365-468: The official salutation to be used by all except the military, who would continue to use the traditional military salutes. This was repealed in September 1945. When the Franco regime restored " Marcha Real " as the Spanish national anthem in 1942 and established unofficial new lyrics for it, the first stanza referred to the fascist salute: "Alzad los brazos, hijos del pueblo español" ("Raise your arms, sons of
13500-422: The palm of the hand faces down towards the shoulder. This dates back to the days of sailing ships, when tar and pitch were used to seal a ship's timbers from seawater. To protect their hands, officers wore white gloves and it was considered most undignified to present a dirty palm in the salute, so the hand was turned through 90 degrees. A common story is that Queen Victoria, having been saluted by an individual with
13635-453: The plane of the palm at 45-degree angle to the forehead. In Indonesia , executing a salute has its regulations. Members who are part of a uniformed institution and wearing a uniform will implement a gesture of salute according to the regulations of the institution the member is part of. In this case, personnel of the TNI and Indonesian National Police are to implement a hand salute by forming
13770-474: The pledge, came into the posture of the salute, snapped his heels together, and said "Now up there is the flag; I come to salute; as I say 'I pledge allegiance to my flag,' I stretch out my right hand and keep it raised while I say the stirring words that follow." As fascism took hold in Europe, controversy grew over the use of the Bellamy salute given its similarity to the Roman Salute. When war broke out in 1939,
13905-407: The point of view of gods in ancient Rome, right hand represents divinity, and this characteristic is also illustrated by Cancelleria Reliefs with the emperor's right hand raised among the gods. The bare feet of Augustus may seems incongruous as compared with the cuirassed details in the chest. This indicates the heroicization of Augustus could be posthumous. This feature also adds civilian portrait to
14040-450: The point to the ground is a traditional act of submission. In fencing , the fencers salute each other before putting their masks on to begin a bout. There are several methods of doing this, but the most common is to bring the sword in front of the face so that the blade is pointing up in front of the nose. The fencers also salute the referee and the audience. When armed with a rifle, two methods are available when saluting. The usual method
14175-622: The rank of Feldwebel are not permitted to speak while saluting. Since the creation of the Bundeswehr, soldiers are required to salute with and without headgear. Originally, in the Reichswehr it was not permitted to perform the salute when the soldier is not wearing uniform headgear . In the Wehrmacht , the traditional military salute was required when wearing headgear, but the Nazi salute
14310-427: The right arm forward, as to have upper arm 90 degrees from the body. Move the right hand to the temple, and have it parallel to the ground. Hand salutes are not performed if a member is not wearing a headdress or if he is holding a weapon. Subordinates salute superiors and every salute is given back. Hand salutes are not performed if a member is not wearing a headdress or if he is holding a weapon. The French salute
14445-416: The right arm frontally and raising it roughly 135 degrees from the body's vertical axis, with the palm of the hand facing down and the fingers stretched out and touching each other. According to common perceptions, this salute was based on an ancient Roman custom. However, this description is not found in Roman literature and is never mentioned by ancient Roman historians. Not a single Roman work of art displays
14580-424: The right hand up making an angle of 90 degrees and is bent 45 degrees, fingers are pressed together and placed near the temple of the right eye, palm facing down. Personnel wearing a headdress place the tip of the right index finger touching the front right tip of the headdress. Other uniformed organizations/institutions which are not part of the military / police will implement a hand salute as done by members of
14715-400: The right to style himself Highness ( Majesty , which since its Roman origin expresses the sovereign authority of the state, was denied to all "vassals"), a title of great importance in international relations, was formally restricted to rulers of relatively high salute ranks (originally only those with eleven guns or more, later also those with nine guns). Within the United States military ,
14850-477: The salute "Good morning/afternoon Your Majesty/Your Royal Highness/Prime Minister/Your Grace/Sir/Ma'am", etc., as the case may be. It is this, rather than the act of standing to attention, which indicates that a salute is being offered. If either party consists of two or more members, all will come to attention, but only the most senior member of the party will offer (or return) the physical or verbal salute. The party wearing headdress must always offer, or respond with,
14985-439: The salute as "more hygienic, more aesthetic, and shorter." He also suggested that the Roman salute did not imply the necessity of taking off the hat unless one was indoors. By 1932, the salute was adopted as the substitute for the handshake. On August 19, 1933, the military was ordered to use the salute whenever an unarmed detachment of soldiers was called on to render military honors for the King or Mussolini. The symbolic value of
15120-454: The salute as well as donning blue shirts and blue berets. Solidarité Française used the salute as well, though its leaders denied the movement was fascist. By 1937, rivalry amongst French right wing parties sometimes caused confusion over salutes. The Parti Populaire Français , generally regarded as the most pro-Nazi of France's collaborationist parties, adopted a variant of the salute that distinguished itself from others by slightly bending
15255-463: The salute is a courteous exchange of greetings. With the HDB individual salute, the head and eyes are turned toward the colors or person saluted. Military personnel in uniform are required to salute when they meet and recognize persons entitled to a salute, except when it is inappropriate or impractical (in public conveyances such as planes and buses, in public places such as inside theaters, or when driving
15390-422: The salute is given by inferior to superior ranks and is held until returned, and by word of command when given by a formed unit. For personnel not wearing hats, holding weapons or with otherwise encumbered hands, the salute is given by coming to attention. During marching armed parades only the officer in command salutes for the whole unit, briefly bringing the flat of his sword to his face if in full dress, or giving
15525-418: The salute is taken or broken. Some "creative" salutes are in use in certain mounted (cavalry) units. The fingers can be spread out with only the right thumb brushing the temple, or the hand can be cocked vertically along the cheek, with the little finger detached or not. These unusual regimental salutes are mannerisms which are lost during official ceremonies. A civilian (even if he has a hat) never salutes, but
15660-519: The salute. The subordinate salutes first and maintains the salute until the superior has responded in kind. There is a widespread though erroneous belief that it is statutory for "all ranks to salute a bearer of the Victoria Cross ". There is no official requirement that appears in the official Warrant of the VC, nor in King's Regulations and Orders, but tradition dictates that this occurs and as such
15795-487: The shortest way up, palm down, and the shortest way down. The action of the arm rotating up is slower than the action of the conclusion of the salute which is the arm being quickly "snapped" down to the saluter's side. Junior members are required to salute first and the senior member is obliged to return the compliment. Protocol dictates that the monarch, members of the royal family, the governor-general, and state governors are to be saluted at all times by all ranks. Except where
15930-546: The situation a salute could be a hand or body gesture, cannon or rifle shots, hoisting of flags, removing headgear, or other means of showing respect or deference. According to historical reconstruction, the ancient Roman military salute ( salutatio militaris ) was analogous to the current military salute. According to some modern military manuals, the modern Western salute originated in France when knights greeted each other to show friendly intentions by raising their visors to show their faces and show that they are not carrying
16065-588: The slave Spartacus uses it. Later examples appear in Ben-Hur (1925) and in Cecil B. DeMille's Sign of the Cross (1932) and Cleopatra (1934), although the execution of the gesture is still variable. Of special note is the use in Giovanni Pastrone 's colossal epic Cabiria (1914). Its intertitles, character names, and movie title were attributed to Italian nationalist Gabriele d'Annunzio , who
16200-461: The soldier announces to a higher-ranking person he has to state the superior's rank, his rank and his name. When a military formation encounters a superior, it has to state the name of the formation. The salute is given with the palm pointing towards the shoulder, the tips of the fingers pointing towards the temple. Within the Turkish military hand salutes are only given when a cover (protection for
16335-401: The standard hand salute if in combat uniform. During flag-rising and flag-lowering armed parades all officers and senior NCOs hand salute the flag, while other ranks present arms, and the whole unit sings the national anthem . Flag parties give salute by slightly inclining the flag only, with the flag-bearer and the escort not giving individual salutes. In Japan, the angle of salute depends on
16470-461: The standardisation that this society imposes upon us." His salute featured on unofficial merchandise sold outside Stadio Olimpico after the ban. Di Canio has also expressed admiration for Mussolini . In June 2009, Michela Vittoria Brambilla , an Italian politician and businesswoman commonly described as a possible successor to Silvio Berlusconi for leadership of the Italian right, was caught in
16605-404: The statue besides military aspect. The small Cupid besides the right leg claims the divine lineage and status. The breastplate relief in front of him depicts the gods. The spear in the left hand is a symbol of Augustus' ruling power over the empire. Many Roman AE/ As coins are with adlocutio of emperors. The coinages of adlocutio tell the differences between the ways each emperor addressing
16740-565: The story's fictitious hero, twice employs it as a farewell greeting to his hosts. The Numidian king Massinissa , guest of the Carthaginian Hasdrubal, raises his right hand and is so greeted in return, once by the strongman Maciste . Princess Sophonisba and King Syphax mutually greet each other by raising their hands and declining their bodies. The diversity of the gesture and the variety of nationalities who use it in Cabria
16875-599: The theatrical production mentions a raised arm salute. The salute was evidently added in keeping with the exaggerated style of acting in 19th century theater, which in turn influenced acting in the silent cinema. The salute frequently occurs in early 20th century films set in antiquity, such as the American Ben-Hur (1907) and the Italian Nerone (1908), although such films do not yet standardize it or make it exclusively Roman. In Spartaco (1914), even
17010-561: The traditions of, the British armed forces. The salute of the Australian or New Zealand Army is best described as the right arm taking the path of the longest way up and then the shortest way down. Similar in many ways, the salute of the Royal Australian Air Force and Royal New Zealand Air Force takes the longest way up and the shortest way down. The Royal Australian Navy and Royal New Zealand Navy, however, take
17145-409: The use of fascist symbols by the organization. Opposition figures like Elly Schlein and Nicola Fratoianni condemned National Youth's actions and called on Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for clarification while right-wing politician Italo Bocchino defended them and dismissed Fanpage's investigation as "garbage". Use of the salute and accompanying phrases has been forbidden by law in Germany since
17280-631: The victims, said that these were loose cannons and that FdI had nothing to do with it. Opposition leaders, such as Elly Schlein , asked Giorgia Meloni , the prime minister of Italy and FdI member, to apply the ban of neo-fascist groups that is part of the Italian Constitution , which far-right groups are able to circumvent by using a different name and proclaiming themselves to be new political forces. Others also urged Meloni and Lazio president Francesco Rocca to distance themselves. In June 2024, Fanpage.it released an undercover report on
17415-630: Was adopted – first by the National Youth Organization and later by the government as well as common people – and used even while fighting against Italy and Germany in WW2. In Spain, in the early 1930s, CEDA , the Confederación Española de Derechas Autónomas ("Spanish Confederation of Autonomous Right-wing Groups") adopted a form of the Roman salute. Then, on April 26, 1937, after General Francisco Franco took over
17550-630: Was also used by certain collaborationist groups (such as the National Popular Rally ) during public events organised by the regime. Pupils of the Chantiers de la jeunesse française , a pro-Vichy youth movement, also used the Roman salute. The salute has been used many times by prominent individuals as well as groups of people since the war. Famed poet Ezra Pound used the salute in praise of his adopted country of Italy when he returned in 1958 after being released from an insane asylum in
17685-686: Was ancient Greek or Roman, and that it was used as a tribute to Ioannis Metaxas and his 4th of August Regime which led Greece against the foreign occupation forces in WWII. The salute employed by certain groups and their supporters, like Hezbollah , pro-Assad NDF and Assad supporters, the Syrian Social Nationalist Party , and the Kataeb Party . Opposition fighters in Syria have also been filmed and documented using it, or
17820-562: Was known as the "poet-warrior". Inspired by the Italo-Turkish War , in which Italy conquered the North African Ottoman province of Tripolitania , Pastrone pursued a politically volatile issue. The film highlights Italy's Roman past and the "monstrous" nature of Carthaginian society, which is contrasted with the "nobility" of Roman society. Cabiria was one of several films of the period that "helped resuscitate
17955-448: Was less penetrable by voice compared to body language and gestures which were more powerful, infectiously raising the army's enthusiasm. Characteristic of the formula is the outstretched hand of speech as well as the contrapposto pose with the weight clearly shifted to one leg. Much information about adlocutio can be interpreted by these sculptures. The outstretched right hand raised by Augustus can be seen as power and authority, even in
18090-704: Was performed when not wearing headgear. The Wehrmacht eventually fully adopted the Nazi salute following the 20 July Plot . East German National People's Army followed the Reichswehr protocol. In India , the three forces have different salutes with the Indian Army and the Indian Navy following the British tradition. In the Indian army, the salute is performed by keeping the open palm forward, with fingers and thumb together and middle finger almost touching
18225-654: Was the right or the left. Officers always saluted with the right hand (as the left, in theory, would always be required to hold the scabbard of their sword). The salute is given to acknowledge the King's commission. A salute may not be given unless a soldier is wearing his regimental headdress, for example a beret , caubeen , Tam o' Shanter , Glengarry , field service cap or peaked cap. This does not apply to members of The Blues and Royals (RHG/1stD) The Household Cavalry who, after The Battle of Warburg were allowed to salute without headdress. Soldiers or officers not wearing headdress must come to attention instead of giving/returning
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