The Socialist Symbol of Unity, the Fraternal Kiss

There once was a gesture that symbolised the height of fraternal friendship across the Communist world. The socialist fraternal kiss, a special form of greeting between Communist leaders, demonstrated the unique bond between socialist countries. This ritual consisted of an embrace and a mutual kiss to the cheeks or, in rarer cases, to the mouth.

The practice had its roots in early Christian and Russian Orthodox traditions, and was later adapted by Communist regimes as a secular display of comradeship. As it evolved, the socialist fraternal kiss became a nuanced diplomatic tool, with its execution closely observed during meetings between Communist leaders.

The omission or refusal of this embrace spoke volumes about international relations. Following the Sino-Soviet split in the 1960s, Chinese officials pointedly refused to embrace their Soviet counterparts. Even when relations normalised decades later, Chinese protocol stubbornly maintained a "handshake, no embrace" policy. This stance extended only to Soviet leaders, as Chinese officials continued to exchange fraternal kisses with leaders from other Communist countries.

Many found it ironic that such an intimate gesture flourished in a system known for restricting individual expression. It blurred the line between personal affection and political theater in Communist regimes. The socialist fraternal kiss is a reminder of a time when even the most intimate gestures were part of the political playbook.