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Reference.org
Prostration
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<p>Prostration is the <a href="/facts/Gesture/fs7HV1Y6">gesture</a> of placing one's body in a <a href="/facts/Reverentially/whAbkyws">reverentially</a> or <a href="/facts/Submissively/whAbkyws">submissively</a> <a href="/facts/Prone_position/dIElgMY6">prone position</a>. Typically prostration is distinguished from the lesser acts of <a href="/facts/Bowing/S15Bq7Xx">bowing</a> or <a href="/facts/Kneeling/2pMH2MTv">kneeling</a> by involving a part of the body above the knee, especially the hands, touching the ground. </p><p>Major world <a href="/facts/Religion/cxntrD0R">religions</a> employ prostration as an act of submissiveness or <a href="/facts/Worship/Y9CGUlEd">worship</a> to an entity or to the <a href="/facts/God/EITpdL9t">Supreme Being (i.e. God)</a>, as in the <i><a href="/facts/Metanoia_(theology)/D5j8hW7t">metanoia</a></i> in <a href="/facts/Christian_prayer/9fM6duVo">Christian prayer</a> used in the <a href="/facts/Eastern_Orthodox/5n20Akh5">Eastern Orthodox</a> and <a href="/facts/Oriental_Orthodox_Church/Hr4jF7La">Oriental Orthodox Churches</a>, and in the <i><a href="/facts/Sujud/FMJLqS7P">sujud</a></i> of the <a href="/facts/Islamic/zDLbL45C">Islamic</a> <a href="/facts/Prayer/Gzu2VMAo">prayer</a>, <i><a href="/facts/Salat/ugIxkezS">salat</a></i>. In various cultures and traditions, prostrations are similarly used to show respect to rulers, civil authorities and social elders or superiors, as in the <a href="/facts/Culture_of_China/tetHMHsK">Chinese</a> <a href="/facts/Kowtow/crDvVrGv">kowtow</a> or <a href="/facts/Ancient_Greek/LIK7NlUh">Ancient Greek</a> <i><a href="/facts/Proskynesis/oLttlEmh">proskynesis</a></i>. The act has often traditionally been an important part of religious, civil and traditional rituals and ceremonies, and remains in use in many cultures. </p>