Why Do We Drop to One Knee When Proposing?

We get down on one knee in church and when facing royalty. But, ever wondered why we do it while proposing to a loved one?

At the root of every proposal, there are several key elements to note: the giving of a ring, usually by the male partner, on a bent knee, only to rise once accepted. While some of this is thought to be medieval in origin, there really is nothing ‘modern’ about the modern marriage proposal. Unless, of course, if the candid moment ends up on Instagram.

The true origin of kneeling on one knee during a proposal isn’t exactly clear to anyone. But, we can take a look other instance of kneeling in society to draw a conclusion of our own…

Let’s take a look back through history…

The act itself has been around for centuries. Catholics bend a single knee as a sign of respect before taking their seat during mass.

Knights would do the same when presenting themselves before a royal family member or other person of nobility, as an act of honour.

When a war was won in the past, losing parties surviving leaders would kneel in front of the winning army as a sign of surrender.

Respect. Honour. Surrender. What does it all mean for marriage?

A man may lower himself before a women in modesty, as a sign of his respect to her as the feminine. This is to show her that he is ready to give his life to her.

When a man kneels, he will come face-to-face with the same area as the womb. This is where life begins and is created. By kneeling down to an equal level as the womb, a man is able to show his honour for the female body and all its ideas of creation.

Which brings us full-circle to the surrender. Bye-bye bachelor and hello fatherhood! You’ll be trading in your late nights for even earlier mornings soon enough when the family starts to solidify. 9 months can pass sooner than you may think…