When you think of a kiss, chances are you picture a romantic partner or a loved one – but have you ever stopped to consider the rich history behind this everyday gesture? A new historical exploration, 'The Kiss' by Katie Barclay, delves into the fascinating evolution of kissing, revealing it's not just an instinctive act, but a complex social signifier that has been shaped by societal norms, power dynamics, and public health concerns across centuries.
Barclay, a professor at Macquarie University, Sydney, takes us back to medieval Europe, where the 'osculum pacis', or kiss of peace, played a crucial role in legal, diplomatic, and religious ceremonies. This lip-to-lip kiss was often exchanged between powerful men, believed to mingle souls and signify agreement or fealty – so important that even vassals would kiss their lords' lips as a mark of loyalty. However, as social hierarchies became more pronounced, churches introduced ritual objects like the 'pax' to be kissed instead, showing an early shift in the gesture's accessibility and meaning.
The book highlights some intriguing regional differences. In 1499, Dutch theologian Desiderius Erasmus was surprised by the enthusiastic kissing culture in England, where individuals of all sexes were greeted and bid farewell with a kiss – a practice that had largely faded on the European continent due to concerns over sexual propriety. Yet, by the 18th century, this widespread social kissing had largely disappeared from English life, with men adopting handshakes, though women often continued to greet with a kiss.
As the 19th century drew to a close, and romantic marriage became more common, the lip-kiss became almost exclusively associated with private love and sexual intimacy. Yet, despite this shift, kissing never entirely vanished from public discourse. The early 20th century saw public health anxieties take centre stage, with a diphtheria outbreak in 1908 prompting the London County Council to ban kissing games in schools. Parenting advice in the 1920s further debated the appropriateness of kissing children, with some experts warning against 'coddling' and the 'dangers lurking in the mother's kiss'. It wasn't uncommon for mothers to embroider 'do not kiss me' on infants' bibs by 1930, reflecting widespread concerns about germ transmission.
The anxieties extended even to the emerging world of cinema, where censors grew alarmed by depictions of desire. The notorious Hays Code in 1934 famously banned 'excessive and lustful' kisses, alongside interracial and same-sex displays. This rich history underscores that, despite its seemingly universal appeal, the act of kissing has always been a site of shifting cultural values, power struggles, and public debate, reflecting deeper societal concerns about intimacy, propriety, and public health.