Why Do Guys Kneel When Proposing Marriage? |
Posted: July 3, 2019 |
On Bended Knees: Why Do Guys Kneel When Proposing Marriage? There’s so much that has changed in the way people propose, from asking (not asking, actually) the father of the would-be-bride for her hand to going public and extravagant in declaring one’s love down to using avocadoes as ring boxes. There’s one tradition, however, that remains the same through the years: men kneeling down as they pop the question. If you’ve ever wondered how this tradition came about and why it has long been practised, to be honest, there are lots of theories that try to explain it. An Ancient Ritual Genuflect, the act of bending one knee to the ground, had long been performed since the time of Alexander the Great. It was a custom done in the courts symbolizing humility and respect. Later on, squires who swore to knighthood also performed the same ritual, while reciting their pledge to truthfulness, commitment to the church, and chivalry. If you’ll look at these mentioned virtues closely, you’ll realize that they’re quite similar to the values people entering marriage promise to each other. Think about it, when you ask someone to spend the rest of their life with you, you’re essentially letting go of your pride and ego, knowing that this life-long relationship means putting your beloved first, their needs and wants before yours. At the same time, you hold your partner to high regard, no matter who they are, where they come from, what their past may have been, or who their exes are. You swear to be honest, devoted, and ready to defend your soon-to-be-partner, if necessary. If you’re planning to bend the knee soon, it may well be worth reflecting on these values, as you prepare your speech and that custom jewelry Utah-based gem experts are working on. The Body Language Kneeling when proposing may also go beyond the virtues it symbolizes. At its surface appearance, it’s a body language that already communicates something. According to psychologists, the act reflects a basic tenet in mammalian nonverbals: shrinking the body communicates submission. For sure, you see this behavior in your pet dogs when they ask you to give them food or let them run outside. There’s also nonverbal communication happening in the gaze, take note. The unlevel eye contact, with you looking up and your partner looking down, sends the message of submission too. This invisible message aligns with the very essence of asking that person to marry you. In this proposal, you’re the one pleading with them to join you in a lifetime of being together. Other psychologists also say that kneeling can be a posture of vulnerability, as it sometimes communicates that mourning. While you’re not exactly grieving when you’re proposing to someone (quite the opposite actually), you’re reflecting the same emotional position of vulnerability. You’re declaring your love for someone, baring yourself open, with the possibility of being turned down. What could be more vulnerable than that, right? Kneeling before your partner when proposing carries a lot of symbolism and messages. And because of these profound implications on the relationship, you’ll likely see this custom for a longer time. It’s here to stay.
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