Tag: embraced

International Kissing Day on July 6 celebrates the enjoyable activity of kissing, and the part it plays in cultures throughout the world. The day reminds people to recognize the simple value of a kiss between friends, lovers, family, and even pets. It’s a celebrated day that many businesses, websites, and social media sites tie in to for promotions of their products or services.

Kissing is associated with romantic feelings, but there are more types of kisses. In recent history, before it was common for people to be able to write, an “X” would be signed. Then the signer would kiss the X as a pledge to honor the signature. (Could this be where the “X” symbol came to represent a kiss?)

Some societies kiss on the cheek as a greeting. While other kisses signal a kinship. Watch a parent or a grandparent with a young child, and you’ll see tender kisses.

It’s an ageless activity. Research shows that 5% of people over the age of 45 are locking lips at least 31 times a week.

According to a book by Michael Penn called Kissing Christians, “Early Christians kissed one another in highly specific settings that distinguished them from the non-Christian population. The earliest Christian reference to the ritual kiss is at the end of I Thessalonians: ‘Greet one another with a holy kiss.’ The Christian ritual kiss or ‘kiss of peace’ was used during prayer, Eucharist, baptism, ordination, and in connection with greetings, funerals, monastic vows, and martyrdom.”

More Kissing Facts

A study of kissing reported in the book The Art of Kissing by William Case found:

Passionate kissing burns 6.4 calories a minute.
A Hershey’s kiss contains 26 calories, which takes five minutes of walking–or about four minutes of kissing–to burn off.
The study of kissing is better known as philematology.
Lips are 100 times more sensitive than the tips of the fingers.

INTERNATIONAL KISSING DAY HISTORY

International Kissing Day seems to have began in 2006. The day was launched to focus on the kissing that takes place between lovers and to celebrate the place it holds in our society.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #InternationalKissingDay

Are you ready for some kissing? Listen to an NPR interview on the science of kissing. Organizers around the world host events to celebrate International Kissing Day. Look for an event for those who have lovers and those who are looking for them.

Perhaps your community will sponsor a “Kiss-in.” It lets you test drive a potential date’s lips before you ever hook up with them for an actual date.

On social media, use #InternationalKissingDay to join in the conversation.

Funny, International Kissing Day, International Kissing Day T-Shirt#InternationalKissingDay — Funny, International Kissing Day, International Kissing Day T-Shirt

International Kissing Day Men Women T-Shirt#InternationalKissingDay — Funny, International Kissing Day, International Kissing Day T-Shirt

We won’t limit you or time you on this affectionate holiday, but National Kissing Day on June 22 encourages us to pucker up for a smooch. Whether the kiss comes from your significant other, your children or pets, share the love!

The kiss has been a part of our culture for thousands of years. The reasons we kiss vary, too. While affection and attraction may be the most common reason for kissing, the kiss has also been used as a greeting. In some cultures, kissing a cheek may date back to Christian rituals. In Ireland, the custom of kissing the Blarney Stone has existed for centuries and is said to bestow the kisser with the gift of eloquence and persuasiveness. Another medieval tradition that hopefully has been extinguished is the practice of kissing the feet or royalty or those in power. A similar act of kissing includes kissing the ring of someone to show fealty.

Which leads to hand-kissing. While this gesture suggests loyalty to someone, it has a friendlier connotation than that of kissing feet. For some, it’s a sign of respect and affection.

But National Kissing Day offers more than a history lesson. It encourages us to reconnect and draw closer to our loved ones. Whether it’s a peck on the cheek or a passionate kiss, when we receive one from someone we love, kissing brings joy. Kissing triggers the release of endorphins which in turn tells our brain it’s happy. When we kiss, our anxiety is reduced and our blood pressure lowers, too. Maybe those boo-boo kisses from mom carry some real power.

NATIONAL KISSING DAY HISTORY

While researching the history of National Kissing Day, we did not find a source for June 22nd. However, several events took place around that date starting in 2002. An episode of the United Kingdom soap opera Hollyoak aired on June 25, 2002. The episode featured characters Ellie and Ben who set a record for the longest film kiss. Actors Sarah Baxendale and Marcus Patrick kissed for three minutes and fifteen seconds in a kissing contest hosted for International Kissing Day. While they may have been celebrating the holiday in England that takes place on July 6, it’s still an impressive feat. However, other records have been set since, including some long-lasting kisses on episodes of The Bachelor.

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5 NATIONAL KISSING DAY KISSES

Celebrate the power of a kiss. Pull your partner into a passionate kiss or practice your kissing style with them. You can also:

Watch movies with great kissing. We suggest Cinema Paradiso directed by Giuseppe Tornatore.
Time yourself. Can you beat the longest kissing record in the world? Ekkachai and Laksana Tiranat currently hold the record at 58 hours, 35 minutes, and 58 seconds. Sure hope they used long-lasting breath mint!
Share a story about your first kiss.
Not all kisses go well. Share stories of kisses gone wrong. That includes those accidental kisses.
What’s your favorite on-screen kiss? Is it from the Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Body Guard, or Crazy, Stupid Love?

Let us know how you’re celebrating by using #NationalKissingDay on social media.