Kissing is a universal thread that weaves through countless cultures, and the phrase 10 interesting kissing traditions instantly sparks curiosity. From ancient rites to modern campus legends, each custom reflects a unique blend of history, superstition, and sheer fun. Let’s embark on a whirlwind tour of the world’s most captivating lip‑locked rituals.
10 Interesting Kissing Traditions Explained
10. The Syracuse University Kissing Bench
Much like many other colleges, Syracuse University in Central New York boasts a distinctive landmark— the Kissing Bench. Erected as a memorial by the class of 1912, the original plan was for each graduating cohort to add its own tribute, but the tradition that truly took root was far more… affectionate.
The exact beginnings remain hazy, yet the legend gained steam in the 1950s. Students of all genders would plant a kiss on the bench, believing it would shield them from lifelong solitude. By the 1970s, a campus myth claimed that a woman needed to kiss someone there to graduate and wed, while the “curse” apparently spared men. Today the story endures: a kiss promises enduring happiness, while sitting alone supposedly condemns one to a spinster’s fate.
9. The Blarney Stone
No roundup of kissing customs would be complete without mentioning perhaps the most‑kissed inanimate object in history. The Blarney Stone’s origins are shrouded in mystery; some claim it was once part of the Stone of Scone used for Scottish coronations, while others suggest it was a gift from Robert the Bruce. Scientific analysis, however, points to a composition unique to its Irish locale.
Legend tells that Cormac MacCarthy, builder of Blarney Castle, rescued a witch from drowning. Grateful, she revealed that a kiss upon the stone would bestow the “gift of gab”—an uncanny talent for eloquence and persuasion. The stone’s name also carries lore: Queen Elizabeth I allegedly described MacCarthy’s prolific letters as pure “blarney,” underscoring its reputation for flattering speech.
8. Faire La Bise
Faire la bise, literally “to give a kiss,” is France’s classic greeting ritual. It comes wrapped in a bewildering set of rules—how many kisses to exchange, which cheek to start with, and who qualifies for the cheek‑kiss versus a simple handshake. A long‑standing joke claims you can pinpoint a Frenchperson’s region by the number of kisses they dispense.
Typically, the gesture is a light cheek‑to‑cheek touch paired with a kissing sound; close friends often follow with an actual kiss on the cheek. Strangers, however, tend to stick with a handshake until familiarity grows. At social gatherings, it’s customary to greet every attendee with a bise, lest anyone feel left out. The practice even faced temporary bans during the swine‑flu scares, as health officials urged restraint on mass cheek‑kissing.
7. The Kissing Of The Bricks
Among sports‑related kissing traditions, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s “Kissing the Bricks” stands out. After every NASCAR and IndyCar race, the victorious driver plants a kiss on the iconic brick strip that marks the start‑finish line.
The custom began in 1996 when Dale Jarrett and his crew chief Todd Parrott, seeking a signature celebration, chose to smooch the very bricks that defined the track’s historic “Brickyard” nickname. Originally, the Speedway featured over 3.2 million bricks, but safety concerns led to most being paved over, leaving only the famed Yard of Bricks for this ceremonial kiss.
6. Kissing The Pope’s Ring
Kissing the Pope’s ring, formally known as the Ring of the Fisherman, is a time‑honored gesture of reverence within the Catholic Church. By pressing a kiss to the gold band, the faithful acknowledge the Pope’s role as the earthly representative of Christ.
The ring, in use since the mid‑13th century, bears an image of St. Peter in a boat, symbolizing his vocation as a fisherman. While many Catholics also kiss the rings of cardinals and bishops, some public figures—most recently U.S. President Joe Biden—have declined, citing personal dignity concerns. Proponents argue the act mirrors other ceremonial respects, such as bowing when royalty enters a room.
5. The Kissing Post
Ellis Island, the bustling immigration gateway that operated from 1892 to 1954, housed an unassuming column later christened “The Kissing Post.” Situated in the initial reunification zone, the post stood behind a partition where newly cleared immigrants waited for family members.
When officials finally granted clearance, relatives were ushered through to meet their loved ones, and the column became the backdrop for countless embraces and kisses. Customs officers dubbed the pillar “The Kissing Post” after witnessing the flurry of affectionate reunions, and it eventually grew into a symbol of freedom, love, and new beginnings.
4. Wedding Traditions
Nearly every culture incorporates a kiss between bride and groom, a tradition tracing back to ancient Rome. Yet societies worldwide have added their own twists. In Sweden, for instance, if either spouse abandons the marriage, any opposite‑sex member of the wedding party is free to plant a kiss on the deserted partner.
The custom also intertwines with the evolution of tiered wedding cakes. Medieval England saw guests bringing small cakes that were stacked as high as possible; the belief was that a couple who could kiss over the top would enjoy lasting prosperity. In the 1660s, a French chef, observing the chaotic piles, introduced the multi‑tiered cake we recognize today.
3. Full Moon On The Quad
Stanford University’s oldest kissing tradition, “Full Moon on the Quad,” dates back to the 19th century when senior men would plant kisses on freshman women, often exchanging roses. Over time, the ritual morphed into a lively, sometimes raucous, night where participants aim to kiss as many different lips as possible.
The most sought‑after set of lips belongs to the university mascot, the Tree, which can receive upward of a thousand kisses in a single evening. While administrators have occasionally tried to curb the practice, they ultimately tolerate it, noting health concerns such as the spread of meningococcal meningitis—colloquially dubbed “freshman meningitis.” Peer health educators even conduct pre‑event briefings on safe‑kissing practices.
2. A Trobriand Islands Kiss
On the modest Trobriand Islands off New Guinea’s eastern coast, locals practice a uniquely intense form of kissing. The encounter begins with the partners squatting, hugging, and gently caressing each other.
They then interlace tongues, rubbing them together, before progressing to a vigorous bite of each other’s lower lips—often drawing blood. The final, most intimate stage involves biting off the partner’s eyelashes, a daring act reserved for private moments and regarded as a status symbol; having shortened or missing eyelashes is seen as a mark of popularity.
1. Bali’s Omed‑Omedan Festival
In the Balinese village of Sesetan, the annual Omed‑Omedan Festival—literally “kiss‑kiss”—takes place the day after Nyepi, the Hindu Day of Silence that heralds the Saka New Year. Teenagers gather along the main road, offer a brief prayer, and then launch into a lively session of kissing, dancing, and water‑sprayed revelry.
The festival’s origins are hazy, described only as “a long time ago.” One tale recounts bored teenagers playing near a sick elder’s house on Nyepi; the elder’s shout supposedly revived their spirits, prompting the community to turn the spontaneous moment into a yearly celebration. Out of respect for tradition, the event was later shifted to the day after Nyepi.