Where did the expression "beat the brow" come from, and what does it mean

The meaning of phraseology "to beat the brow" does not become more understandable, if we clarify that the brow in the old days in Russia was called the forehead: to beat with the forehead. For what and under what circumstances? Let's figure it out.

Origins

Having plunged into the history of Russia, we will see that in the course of our ancestors there were earthly obeisances. Most often they were committed as follows: a man fell to his knees and bowed so low that his forehead hit the floor. With this deep bow, which was said "to bow to great custom," people expressed incredible respect for the person whom they had to beat with a brow. The meaning of this ritual migrated into the vocabulary. In Ancient Rus, the words "hit the brow" were widely used in business letters, contractual letters and private correspondence.

Meanings of phraseology

The first texts, in which linguists found this bizarre expression, are contained in the birch bark of the fourteenth century and designate a greeting in private correspondence. In other words, in the middle of the fourteenth century, this verbal formula is used to mean "complaining".

A century later, as historians have discovered, new meanings have opened in the phrase: a request, a petition. With them the people went to the authorities to beat the brow. The meaning of phraseology in this case brings us back to the idea of a devious earthly bow before the powerful of this world.

In the 16th century, according to the literary monument of domestic antiquity "Domostroy", the phrase used to mean "present as a gift," also, undoubtedly, with the deepest respect. Beat the brow was taken by a senior friend during the wedding ceremony, when he gave the groom a loaf, cheese and her handkerchief on behalf of the bride.

In written sources of the XVII century phraseology expresses a polite wish and gratitude.

In the Life of Stefan of Perm, there is a description of how a pagan priest beats a man, repenting in his own guilt. And in Christian churches believers bowed low, touching the forehead of the floor, kneeling in front of the icon.

East Asian roots of Russian custom

Is it customary to beat the brow of a primordially Russian or our ancestors "peeked" it from other peoples with whom they were bound by historical destiny? Researchers believe that he came to us from Asians. In the East, it was customary to prostrate before the ruler, without looking at the royal person. The element of self-deprecation of the subject added, it seemed, to the sovereign.

At the Chinese court there were more than three thousand rules of ceremonial behavior, among which the special place was occupied with weighing the earthly obeisances. Perhaps this leaked into Russian court etiquette this custom. Historians know that as early as the beginning of the fifteenth century, Russian princes paid little tribute to the Moscow Tsar. Conversations with the monarch were conducted without ceremony, in a friendly manner, almost on an equal footing. And only towards the end of the century, when the Russian court borrowed ceremonial rites from Byzantines (this happened with the marriage of Ivan III to the Byzantine princess), together with the device of magnificent decoration of the royal chambers, the sovereign demanded special honors. With his grandson Ivan the Terrible, the boyars and other ranks bowed to the king in full, that is, they beat him with a brow. The custom became widespread.

The petition

Written statements or petitions, in which people addressed the monarch in all forms, were called petitions. The custom of serving them existed until the eighteenth century. Letters began with the words "whip", addressed to the king, then the data about the petitioner and the request itself followed. At the end of the document was a personal signature. Petitions were brought to the royal palace, where they were assembled by the Duma deacon. To avoid misunderstandings, on the reverse side, the official put a date and his signature.

Today

For a long time there is no custom to beat the brow of the highest dignitaries, and the corresponding expression emerged from everyday life. However, it has perfectly taken root as a phraseological turn and is used with brilliance in literature and journalism.