Kowtow

Alternative Chinese nameTraditional ChineseSimplified ChineseVietnamese nameVietnamesequỳ lạy
rập đầu
khấu đầuHán-Nôm跪𥚄
立頭Chữ Hán叩頭Korean nameHangul고두Hanja叩頭Japanese nameKanji or (noun); (verb)Hiragana or (noun); or (verb) or (verb)

A kowtow (), also spelled kaotao (simplified Chinese: 叩头; traditional Chinese: 叩頭; Jyutping: kau3 tau4), is the act of deep respect shown by prostration, that is, kneeling and bowing so low as to have one's head touching the ground. It was commonly used in religious worship which emphasizes its emotional depth, sincerity, and willing submission. In Sinospheric culture, the kowtow is the highest sign of reverence. It was widely used to show reverence for one's elders, superiors, and especially the Emperor of China, as well as for religious and cultural objects of worship.