Bowing

Bows.

Bowing serves to the Empire as shaking hands does amongst foreigners. The Rudanese form, in which you bend from the head , is the most common. It is practiced on Rudan, Jeok, Thanh-Tonh and Dai-Yann and their respective colonies. Learning the Rudanese style will allow you to get by on the other worlds, even though each will have different fashions

The general principle is that the deeper you bow, the more meaning to the gesture. This has its limits, though. People are not expected to turn themselves into right angles under most circumstances. It can be a hard tradition to fathom, even for the initiated, so many in the Empire care more about the form of the bow than its depth. There are a few basic forms that it may be helpful to know.

Hands at side (men) or clasped in front of abdomen (women), bend forward

Traditional greeting. Can be deeper for junior greeting senior. Junior party traditionally bows first, waits for senior party to bow, then rises first. Now, only the woman's version is seen frequently, most men preferring the more general-purpose salute below.

Palms meet at sternum, bend forward as deeply as necessary without needing to kneel

An apology. Known as the 'self-abnegation'. Its full form is today only performed in JeIn (Akati Mime) theater as an allegory for suicide from shame.

Right fist meets left palm over heart, slight dip at the knees and bend forward

At your command; By your leave. Has generally been replaced by...

Right Fist meets Left Palm over sternum. Dip head forward, deeper when junior to senior.

The most common bow amongst men now, others having fallen by the wayside. Its common embrace across the Empire by civilians has made many in the Banners advocate for a new salute, but there is no official support as yet.

Left fist meets right palm over sternum, forward bow

Traditional greeting of students to teachers in all contexts save upon graduation or promotion, when a genuflection is made.

Left fist meets right fist over sternum, bend forward

I stand ready. Traditionally performed before sparring in KouXar. Now also seen at the beginning of all competitive sports. Held until the Master/Referee orders commencement of the match.

Kneeling

The simple kneel, in which the kneeler gets down on both knees, places their hands on the ground, and bows their head forward, has largely disappeared from contemporary usage in the Empire, replaced by and large with either the simpler bows or full genuflection. The one instance where it remains in general use outside of historical drama is during the Harvest and Spring Festivals, when a district's tutelary shrine is lifted and carried to the prefecture's central temple. Those who encounter the parade, either on the way to the Temple or back home, are expected to kneel on either side of the road. This tradition remains in place owing to the difficulty of performing a full genuflection upon the street.

Bending the Knee

Bending the knee is the act of paying tribute to the Dragon Throne by barbarians. In its traditional form, one approaches the boundary between sacred and divine and sits upon their knees, then leans the head and shoulders forward. A liberal initiative in the first place, to excuse foreigners from prostration, these days foreigners are usually permitted to bow however they deem appropriate.

The Kautou

Get on your hands and knees. Now, lower yourself to your elbows. Lightly your forehead on the ground until told otherwise. This is the Kauto Bixiu, the Ordinary Kowtow, performed at graduations and other major life events.

The Kautou Shengren

Get on your hands and knees, then lower your head until your forehead touches the ground. Remain in this position until your venerations are completed, then sit back on your knees in meditation. This is the Ritual Kowtow, performed in shrines and before ancestral altars.

TaiKautou

Get on your hands and knees. Reach your hands forward, as far forward as you can until you can stretch no further. Lay your palms flat on the ground. Rest your full face upon the ground. Raise your head so it is straight, then place your face back upon the ground. This is the Grand Kowtow, performed when standing trial (Head remains on floor, no taps), petitioning a prefectural governor (two taps), petitioning a major official (3 taps), petitioning the Celestial Master or similar planetary figure (5 taps) petitioning a King of the Inner Sphere (6 taps), petitioning the Grand Secretary or the cabinet (8 taps), or petitioning the Emperor (9 taps).

In all cases but the last, after you have finished tapping you may return to your knees. When addressing the Emperor, on the 9th tap keep your face on the ground.