Kissing, a Natural Drug

The art of kissing can be traced back to the 6th century. But, who knows for sure, it might have existed years or centuries before. A kiss was first an expression of homage. Homage was a sign of respect, or reverence paid, or rendered.

In some African tribes, the natives would kiss the ground where a chief had walked. The Romans would kiss the mouth or eyes as a form of dignified salutation. Roman emperors allowed very important nobles to kiss his lips. Those of lower importance could kiss his hands, and the lowest on the Nobel ladder could kiss his feet.

The first country that recognized the kiss as a sign of courtship and love was France. This custom started spreading throughout Europe. Russia liked to copy France in anything they did. A kiss from the Tsar was considered the highest form of recognition from the crown.

A quote from wired.com, "Kissing works like a drug in our bodies, and can promote dopamine -- the same neurotransmitter stimulated from addictive drugs like cocaine."What are Your Favorite Kisses?

A kiss is a sign of affection. Here is my list of my ten favorite kisses. They are in no particular order.

1. Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhall in Brokeback Mountain

2. Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze in Ghost

3. Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh in Gone With the Wind

4. Lady and the Tramp

5. Madonna and Britney Spears

6. Sleeping Beauty

7. V-J Day kiss on cover of Life Magazine

8. Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr in From Here to Eternity

9. Tobey McGuire and Kristen Dunst in Spider-Man

10. Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams in The NotebookExcuses to Celebrate

Using an X to symbolize a kiss started back in early Christian era. An X stood for a sworn oath. Many people could not write their name so an X became a legal mark. The mark emphasized the persons’ sincerity to stand by an agreement. To further signal the persons’ commitment, they would often kiss the X. This action led to the X becoming a symbol of a kiss.

July 6th is International Kissing Day. Legend tells the story as a dreamed up idea of a Dental Insurance Company. They wanted a way to increase business. The idea spread and was adopted by the United States. July 6th is also National Fried Chicken Day and World Kiss Day. Any excuse to promote a product or bring excuses for pleasure to the world can be created and the world will follow.