Editing Kiss (section)

==In religion==
[[File:The Taking of Christ-Caravaggio (c.1602).jpg|thumb|right|''[[The Taking of Christ (Caravaggio)|The Taking of Christ]]'' by Caravaggio (c. 1602) depicts Judas betraying [[Jesus]] with a kiss as a signal to arrest Jesus.]]
Kissing was a custom during the Biblical period mentioned in the {{bibleverse||Genesis|27:26|HE}}, when [[Isaac]] kissed his son [[Jacob]].<ref name=Tabor>Tabor, Rev. T.H. ''Manford's Magazine'' (1888)</ref>{{Rp|585}} The kiss is used in numerous other contexts in the Bible: the kiss of homage, in [[Esther]] 5:2; of subjection, in 1 [[Samuel]] 10:1; of reconciliation, in 2 Samuel 14:33; of valediction, in [[Book of Ruth|Ruth]] 1:14; of approbation, in [[Psalms]] 2:12; of humble gratitude, in [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] 7:38; of welcome, in [[Book of Exodus|Exodus]] 18:7; of love and joy, in [[Book of Genesis|Genesis]] 20:11. There are also spiritual kisses, as in [[Song of Songs]] 1:2; sensual kisses, as in [[Book of Proverbs|Proverbs]] 7:13; and hypocritical kisses, as in 2 [[Samuel]] 15:5. It was customary to kiss the mouth in biblical times, and also the beard, which is still practiced in Arab culture. Kissing the hand is not biblical, according to Tabor.<ref name=Tabor /> The kiss of peace was an [[Apostles in the New Testament|apostolic]] custom, and continues to be one of the rites in the [[Eucharist]]ic services of [[Roman Catholic]]s.<ref name=Tabor />

In the Roman Catholic Order of Mass, the bishop or priest celebrant bows and kisses the altar, reverencing it, upon arriving at the altar during the entrance procession before Mass and upon leaving at the recessional at the closing of Mass; if a deacon is assisting, he bows low before the altar but does not kiss it.

Among primitive cultures, it was usual to throw kisses to the sun and to the moon, as well as to the images of the gods. Kissing the hand is first heard of among the Persians.<ref name=Tabor /> According to Tabor, the kiss of homage—the character of which is not indicated in the Bible—was probably upon the forehead, and was expressive of high respect.<ref name=Tabor />

[[File:PopeKissing Feet.JPG|thumb|upright|This woodcut of the practice of kissing the pope's toe is from ''Passionary of the Christ and Antichrist'' by [[Lucas Cranach the Elder]].]]
* In Ancient Rome and some modern Pagan beliefs, worshipers, when passing the statue or image of a god or goddess, will kiss their hand and wave it towards the deity ([[adoration]]).
* The ''[[holy kiss]]'' or ''kiss of peace'' is a traditional part of most Christian liturgies, though often replaced with an embrace or handshake today in Western cultures.
* In the [[Gospels#Canonical gospels|gospels of Matthew and Mark]] (Luke and John omit this), [[Judas Iscariot|Judas]] betrayed [[Jesus]] with a kiss: an instance of a kiss tainted with betrayal. This is the basis of the term "[[the kiss of Judas]]".
* [[Catholics]] will kiss [[rosary beads]] as a part of [[prayer]], or kiss their hand after making the [[sign of the cross]]. It is also common to kiss the wounds on a crucifix, or any other image of Christ's Passion.
** [[Pope John Paul II]] would kiss the ground on arrival in a new country.
** Visitors to the pope traditionally kiss his foot.
** Catholics traditionally kiss the ring of a cardinal or bishop.
** Catholics traditionally kiss the hand of a priest.
* [[Eastern Orthodox]] and [[Eastern Catholic]] Christians often kiss the icons around the church on entering; they will also kiss the cross and/or the priest's hand in certain other customs in the church, such as confession or receiving a blessing.
* Local lore in [[Ireland]] suggests that kissing the [[Blarney Stone]] will bring ''[[eloquence|the gift of the gab]]''.
* [[Jews]] will kiss the Western Wall of the Holy Temple in [[Jerusalem]], and other religious articles during [[prayer]] such as the [[Torah]], usually by touching their hand, [[Tallit|Tallis]], or [[Siddur]] (prayerbook) to the [[Torah]] and then kissing it. [[Halakha|Jewish law]] prohibits kissing members of the opposite sex, except for spouses and certain close relatives. See [[Negiah]].
[[File:Coveting the Black Stone.jpg|right|thumb|Pilgrims jostle for a chance to kiss the [[Black Stone]], and if they cannot kiss it, they can point to it at each circuit with their right hand.]]
* [[Muslims]] may kiss the [[Black Stone]] during [[Hajj]] (pilgrimage to Mecca). Many Muslims also kiss shrines of [[Ahl al-Bayt|Ahlulbayt]] and [[Sufi]]s.