Hug
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2008-07-09T23:08:41Z
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{{otheruses4|affection|people named Hug|Hug (surname)}}
{{citations missing|article|date=July 2007}}
[[Image:Closeup of a Hug.JPG|A closeup of a hug|thumb|270px]]
[[Image:TwoMenHugging.jpg|Two men hugging|thumb|270px]]
A '''hug''' is a form of [[physical intimacy]] that generally involves closing or holding the [[arm]]s around another person or group of persons. The hug is one of the most common human signs of [[love]] and [[affection]], along with [[kiss]]ing.<ref>{{citebook|title=The Hug Therapy Book |author=Kathleen Keating|year= 1994|publisher=Hazelden PES|id=ISBN 1568380941}}</ref> Unlike some other forms of physical intimacy, it is practiced publicly and privately without [[social stigma|stigma]] in many nations, religions and cultures, within families, and also across age and gender lines.
Sometimes, hugs are a romantic exchange. A hug may also be exchanged as a sign of support and comfort. A hug can be a demonstration of affection and emotional warmth, sometimes arising out of [[joy]] or [[happiness]] at meeting someone.
Brief in most cases, it is used to show many levels of affection. It is not particular to [[human being]]s alone, as there are many species of animals that engage in similar exchanges of warmth.
A prolonged hugging in a cozy, comfortable position is also called '''cuddling'''.<ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cuddle "Cuddle"], WordNet 3.0. Princeton University. Accessed 10 March 2008. </ref>
'''Spooning''' is a cuddling [[human positions|position]], a kind of hugging when both the hugger and the hugged persons face the same direction, i.e., the front of one person is in contact with the back of the second one.<ref>Jim Grace, Lisa Goldblatt Grace (1998) "The Art of Spooning: A Cuddler's Handbook" ISBN 0762402709 </ref>
==See also==
* [[Bear hug]]
* [[Pound hug]]
* [[Hugs and Kisses]]
* [[Free Hugs Campaign]]
* [[Kiss]]
* [[Grope]]
* [[Tree hugging]]
==References==
{{commonscat|Hugging}}
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Human sexuality]]
[[Category:Intimate relationships]]
{{culture-stub}}
[[es:Abrazo]]
[[eo:Brakumo]]
[[he:חיבוק]]
[[nl:Knuffelen]]
[[fi:Halaaminen]]
[[sv:Kram]]
[[yi:האלדזן]]
[[zh:擁抱]]