Saluting is a military custom by which a soldier signals acknowledgement of the due respect to a superior rank. ... The exact origin of the military salute has been lost in time but it is believed that it originated by showing that the right hand (the fighting hand) was not concealing a weapon.

Why do we salute in the military?

No one knows the precise origin of today's hand salute. From earliest times and in many distant armies throughout history, the right hand (or "weapon hand") has been raised as a greeting of friendship. The idea may have been to show that you weren't ready to use a rock or other weapon.

What does it mean when a soldier salutes?

salute Add to list Share. A salute is a sign of respect. A soldier may salute senior officers by raising a hand to his or her head, or you may informally salute a neighbor with a tip of your hat. Salute often has a military context, whether used as a verb or a noun. ... “I salute your courage!”