Form of prostration as sign of respect
Fa Kow
A kowtow, also spelled kaotao, 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.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Wikimedia Commons (see Commons), Wikimedia Commons.