Salutes

A salute is a gesture or action used to show respect, greeting, or recognition of authority. In military, police, and other uniformed services, salutes are formal signals of acknowledgment toward a superior or toward the state, and they form an essential part of ceremonial protocol. Civilian contexts also use salutary gestures in specific ceremonies, such as flag ceremonies or formal welcomes.

The most common form is the hand salute. In its standard practice, the right hand is raised with the fingers together and the palm facing down or slightly inward, the fingertips touching the temple or the brim of a hat. The motion is a crisp, brief gesture and is held until the salute is acknowledged or returned. Salutes are typically performed toward officers of higher rank or toward flags, colors, or other national symbols, and are returned by the person being saluted.

Variations exist by service and country. Naval traditions, for example, often involve a palm-down posture with fingertips touching the brow or peak of a naval cap, while other forces may have slight differences in finger position or timing. In ceremonial settings, salutes accompany parades, guard changes, and the honoring of national emblems. In some cultures, alternative respectful gestures such as a hand over the heart or a bow may be used in civilian contexts.

Origins of the salute trace to ancient times, evolving from signals of peaceful intent to standardized military etiquette in the 17th–19th centuries. The practice, governed by service-specific codes, emphasizes respect, discipline, and formal recognition of authority.