Depiction of Kissing and Embracing in Byzantine and Coptic art as a sign of Greeting, Veneration and Romance

Document Type : Original Article

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Institute of Coptic Research and Studies - Faculty of Arts - Alexandria University

10.21608/thalexu.2025.354832.1139

Abstract

 
 
 
Kissing and embracing appeared in the Roman world as expressions of greeting, veneration, and romance. These gestures were performed on the lips, cheek, hand, leg, or foot, as seen in Roman art. Embracing was often accompanied by a kiss as a sign of respect and admiration.
Saint Paul described the kiss as sacred, making it part of church rituals, where believers kissed after the liturgy. In Byzantine art, apostles were depicted kissing Christ’s hand, while saintly women kissed His feet. Bishops were shown embracing and kissing each other. Conversely, the kiss symbolized betrayal, as seen in depictions of Judas kissing Christ after his betrayal.
In Coptic art, kissing appeared in Mary’s visitation scene and some mythological depictions but was absent in representations of Christ being kissed in veneration or betrayal.
This study examines the artistic representation of kissing and embracing, analyzing murals, mosaics in churches and monasteries, diptychs, and manuscripts in museums in Egypt and worldwide.

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