The greeting was originally one of the military rituals of the Ming Dynasty and can be seen in the "Da Ming Huidian". At that time, every command department and every guard post across the country had this etiquette, which was called "bend one knee." The same was true for the Jianzhou Guards. In the Qing Dynasty, the old customs were still followed in the Green Camp left over from the Eight Banners and the Ming Dynasty. Originally, soldiers should kneel when they see superior officers, but because they are wearing armor, they only kneel or half a knee. Over time, kneeling is also used as a salute when not wearing armor, and like kowtowing and paying respects, it also includes greetings. meaning. In the Eight Banner families and some Han officials' families, this ceremony is performed when the younger generation meets the elders, the younger generation is older than the younger generation, and the slaves see their masters and relatives and friends. Therefore, bending the knee is also called greeting. However, in yamen or public places, regardless of bannermen or Han people, they must salute and cannot greet them.
One bows to heaven and earth, two bows to the high hall, and three couples bow to each other. Touching the forehead to the ground is the most solemn and formal etiquette in Chinese tradition, symbolizing solemnity and sanctity. Kneeling three times and kowtowing nine times is an ancient ritual for worshiping ancestors and gods. For living people, this ceremony can only be done to the emperor. It means kneeling once and kowtowing three times, then getting up and kneeling again and kowtowing three times. Kneeling three times in this way means kneeling three times and knocking nine times. As for kneeling three times and bowing three times, the meaning should be similar to kneeling three times and kowtowing nine times.
The "Liusu, three kneels and three prostrations" ritual is a ritual exclusive to the queen. It is a bit different from the three kneels and nine prostrations exclusive to the emperor, but in general it is still the same, that is, kneel down and bow once, and then stand up. When you pray again, your head should be on the ground.