


It demonstrates a willingness to be vulnerable and thus complete trust. This is the crux of the 21 gun salute and why it became a traditional honor. It also left them entirely vulnerable to attack. This signaled to anyone watching that they didn’t pose a threat. Thus, the crew of ships approaching friendly ports would often fire all their weapons first. Early firearms could only fire one shot at a time. This practice of throwing down one’s sword continued with the development of guns and cannons. Sometimes it was to show previous foes they came in peace. Sometimes this was because they were surrendering. They did this to indicate they meant no harm. Throughout human history, warriors, soldiers, and others who engaged in combat have demonstrated to potential opponents that their weapons were no longer effective.

You may be surprised to learn that, to some degree, the origins of a 21 gun salute actually predate the existence of guns.
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» MORE: Everything you need to settle your loved one's estate with our free post loss checklist. Just keep in mind that much of what people think they know about the 21 gun salute is actually false or oversimplified. If you’d like to better understand the purpose of the 21 gun salute, keep reading! What is a 21 Gun Salute?īefore covering the 21 gun salute’s origins and symbolic meaning, it’s worth noting that many misconceptions surround this tradition. It’s become such an ingrained practice that few ever stop to explain what it means. The origins of this honor date back centuries. However, while many people know the 21 gun salute exists, they may not exactly know why it’s significant. Even if you’ve never seen an official 21 gun salute in person, there’s a good chance you’ve seen depictions of this tradition in movies or TV. The 21 gun salute is one of the more well-known. The United States military practices many traditions to honor important figures both living and dead.
