And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.
Mark 14:44
According to the dictionary, to kiss means to touch or oppress someone or something with a movement of the lips as an expression of love, desire, reverence, or a greeting. Filematology is the unofficial science that studies kisses and investigates their origins, their meaning, the different types of kisses, and the physical and mental reactions it provokes. The theory about the origin of the kiss says that it is a practice typical of humanity and arose as a result of breastfeeding or when babies had to be fed through the mouth.
It has been recognized worldwide, the International Kissing Day to be celebrated on April 13, from an event that occurred in 2013 in Thailand where the couple of Ekkachai and Laksana Tranarat, had the longest kiss in history, with a duration of 58 hours, 35 minutes and 58 seconds, which occurred during a peculiar Valentine’s Day contest. The winners were awarded 2,500 euros and two diamond rings.
From that event, some doctors recognized the innumerable health benefits of this human expression, due to the number of positive emotions that it unleashes in the brain. According to mental health experts, couples accustomed to kissing could have a longer, healthier, and happier life.
The therapeutic power of kisses continues to amaze medical science. Kisses accelerate the heart rate and release adrenaline, they also strengthen the immune system due to the microorganisms that are exchanged through saliva; more than 80 million bacteria, through this joyous experience. https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-kissing#bonding
Through kisses, affective bonds are created between people, because the brain produces oxytocin, the hormone of affection, as well as endorphins or the hormones of happiness that help reduce anxiety levels and induce a state of serenity and tranquility. Kisses also improve our self-esteem and by connecting with another person we feel desired, then we release the dopamine hormone that increases our feeling of pleasure and well-being with ourselves.
In terms of aesthetics, kisses cause the skin of the face to stretch, which is why it helps to combat the wrinkles that appear over time, at the moment of kissing we stimulate the facial muscles because they tighten, tone and In the long run, they offer a better appearance on the face.
We know of the existence of kisses at all times and their various intentions: when they were proof of true love and made lovers live happily ever after and of the custom of kissing the dying as a final farewell, even treacherous kisses like the Judas kiss.
During the 19th century, following the moral reforms of some monarchies in Europe and in order to make science and reason prevail in society, the practice of kissing in public was avoided and reduced to an intimate act. In later years from the expansion of romantic literature, kisses were expressed more freely and the constant practice led to the sexual liberation of the first half of the 20th century.
In our days, the kiss is the reason for various expressions in relation to social bonds, political relations, and as an inspiration for artists. It is necessary to mention the customs that different countries have in the case of greeting kisses. In Mexico, the cheeks meet. In Argentina, close friends greet each other with a kiss on their mouths. In France, Spain, and Italy two, three, or four kisses are given on the cheek when greeting. In Germany, they prefer the handshake instead of kisses and in Middle Eastern countries the kissing greeting between strangers is penalized. In general, everything can vary depending on the context, and as in almost all practices of social coexistence, common sense must prevail to avoid any embarrassing situation, it is best to ask before kissing, because the kiss must be, above all, an expression sincere.
There are so many anecdotes related to kisses and others will be added after the pandemic that had prohibited us from one of the most pleasant human practices, but if there is something positive at the present time it is the learning we have obtained and one of them is that hygiene it is our best weapon to fight Covid-19 and many other diseases. In another era, it was called “the kiss of death” to the transmission of deadly viruses and bacteria to vulnerable people by this means and as we well know, saliva is the main transmitter of these evils.
Kisses are a unique manifestation of humanity, they are a legacy of love during our time on this planet Earth and it is our desire to always kiss loved ones with infinite love, so we remind you that at Del Pueblo Funeral Home we make moments easy. more difficult.
