Why does a person get down on bended knee?

Marriage? Something else? What is the symbolism of doing so?

I've never been engaged or married, or asked a woman to get married, or been to a wedding, so the whole thing is a totally foreign concept and I don't see why the 'bended knee' bit is supposed to be important.

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

FreeSpirit1 · F

It’s a tradition that symbolizes respect, honor, and devotion. It dates back to medieval times when knights would kneel before noblewomen as a sign of loyalty and admiration.

zonavar68 · 56-60, M

@FreeSpirit1 I read it as the person getting down on one knee indicating they intend to be the person's servant and slave (perhaps love slave) by 'lowering' themself to being beneath the level of social status of the person being proposed to. Seems really out of place in modern society (like marriage itself) where everyone bangs on about DEI, etc. although we all know that's never a level playing field. Sadly.

subhubby · 56-60, M

@FreeSpirit1 I love that…

saragoodtimes · F

@FreeSpirit1 not only beautiful but a historian as well

FreeSpirit1 · F

@zonavar68 that sounds like an answer a guy with a submissive fetish would say. My answer is more in line with the true meaning of it

zonavar68 · 56-60, M

@FreeSpirit1 I respect your opinions. I have never been married, or proposed (or been proposed to), or even been to a wedding. My parents divorced when I was 12 and it was awful (for me not having any understanding of relationships, or sex, etc.). I've never liked marriage since I see it as a toxic concept, esp. when it's very one-sided (or looks to be) all in favour of the proposee (usually a woman) at a huge cost to the proposer (usually a man). It could be part of the reason I never could fully understand the full gamut of what sex, dating, relationships, is even though I tried as an adult without ever having any help from parents during my teen years. Everything about sex and relationships I find completely frightening now.