Kneeling 1988874 219235650 2008-06-14T06:26:10Z Danicools 7307363 /* See also */ {{Wiktionary|kneel}}[[Image:Red tunic gold helmet bangkok.jpg|thumb|Royal guard kneeling, [[Bangkok]], [[Thailand]].]] [[Image:Soviet naval infantrymen DN-SC-91-02252.jpg|thumb|[[Naval Infantry (Russia)|Soviet naval infantrymen]] kneel with their AKS-74 rifles during a demonstration.]] [[Image:John William Waterhouse - The Missal.JPG|thumb|''The Missal'' by [[John William Waterhouse]], showing a woman kneeling in prayer (1902, oil on canvas).]] '''Kneeling''' is a [[human position]] in which the weight is distributed on the [[knee]]s and [[foot|feet]] on a surface close to horizontal. The position of kneeling may be assumed for practical reasons and for reasons of social or religious [[convention (norm)|custom]]. == Practical reasons == Kneeling makes it easier to reach the ground. For example, during [[gardening]], kneeling gives less strain to one's back than [[bending]]. Various knee pads and knee mats are sold to make kneeling during gardening more comfortable. A kneeled person is less visible from the distance. For example, in an [[ambush]], one may go from kneeling to [[sitting]] in a kind of [[seiza]] and back, e.g., to peek out. Kneeling position also provides more stability due to lower [[center of gravity]]. Some other positions may serve these particular goals; the actual choice of the position is determined by other factors: mobility, effort, amount of occupied space, etc. People with certain [[Disability|disabilities]] can move only in the kneeling position. It is also helpful in playing with children. Kneeling can sometimes be useful when trying to get something out of a hole. == Social and religious customs== Socially, kneeling, similarly to [[bowing]], is associated with [[submission]] and [[obeisance]], particularly if one kneels before a standing person: the kneeling position renders a person defenseless and unable to flee. For this reason, in some [[religions]], in particular by [[Christian]]s and [[Muslim]]s, kneeling is used as a position for [[prayer]], as a position of submission to God. In north Indian [[Hinduism|Hindu]] temples, many Hindus kneel before the icon after saying a short personal prayer, and usually touch the ground with their forehead. (This is a contrast to south Indian temples, where most people prostrate completely before the icon). In many [[church]]es, [[pew]]s are equipped with [[kneeler]]s in front of the seating bench so members of the congregation can kneel on them instead of the floor. In a few other situations such as [[confessional]]s and areas in front of an [[altar]], kneelers for kneeling during prayer or [[sacrament]]s may also be used. Within [[Roman Catholicism]], it is traditional to kneel on the left knee for persons of distinction (such as [[Monarch|Kings]], the [[Pope]], [[Bishops]], etc.), to kneel on the right knee for the [[Eucharist]], when it is in the [[tabernacle]], and to kneel on both knees when the Eucharist is exposed. In the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] the act of kneeling, in the sense of "standing on one's knees" is not traditionally performed. Instead, there are several types of [[Zemnoy poklon|bows and prostrations]] (on hands and knees with the forehead touching the ground) which accompany worship with much greater frequency than in the Western churches. However, at his [[ordination]], a [[deacon]] will kneel on one knee to the side of the [[altar]], while the bishop lays his hands on the deacon's head to read the Prayer of [[Cheirotonia]] over him. A [[priest]] will kneel in the same manner at his ordination, but on both knees; and a [[bishop]] kneels (on both knees) in front of the altar as the [[Gospel Book]] is laid over his head and the [[consecration|consecrating]] bishops read the prayer. == See also == *[[Knees]] *[[Kowtow]] *[[posture]] *[[obeisance]] *[[genuflexion]] *[[prostration]] *[[kneeling chair]] *[[prayer mat]] *[[crawling (locomotion)]] *[[Zemnoy poklon]] *[[Bowing (social)]] == External links == * [http://www.adoremus.org/1102TheologyKneel.html The Theology of Kneeling] * [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06423a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia entry on kneeling] [[Category:Human body positions]]