What struck me as really interesting when discussing Confucius was the idea of the importance and the "magic" of gestures. What they teach us about ourselves is important and the significance of relationships between people and how they impact society cannot be undermined. It actually, however, made me think of honorifics in Eastern Christianity.
Eastern Christians, such as Eastern Orthodox and Catholic as well as Oriental Orthodox and Catholic engage in a series of greetings and gestures. For example, immediately after the feast of the baptism of Jesus, an Eastern Christian would greet a brethren with "Christ is Baptized!" or, durin Easter-time "Christ has risen!" These gestures seek to show the importance of an action from the past.
Likewise, when greeting an Eastern priest, the understood first thing to say is "Glory be to Jesus Christ!" and then to ask for the priests blessing. These gestures do not magnify man, but rather glorify Christ through the office of the priesthood. Is this a possible link to Confucianism? Do these gestures help to speak to something beyond the tangible and finite?
