Curtsey facts for kids

Presenting flowers to The Queen outside Brisbane City Hall, 1954. This is a 'bob' curtsey as used by young girls, and by maids in grand houses.

Full curtsey or obeisance, suitable when presented to a monarch on a formal occasion. Notice the back is straight, and the head is not bowed. Rarely seen in modern times

A variation, a kind of mixture of a curtsey and a bow

A curtsey (also spelled curtsy) is a traditional way for a girl or woman to show respect or greeting. It involves bending the knees and lowering the body slightly. Think of it as the female version of a bow that men might do. The word "curtsy" actually comes from "courtesy," which means being polite.

How to Curtsey

For a very formal curtsey, a girl or woman bends her knees outwards, not straight ahead. She might also sweep one foot behind the other. Sometimes, she uses her hands to hold her skirt out from her body.

In the past, especially during Victorian times, women wore very large, hooped skirts. To curtsey, they would bend their knees in a way similar to a "plié" move from classical ballet. This means the knees bend while the back stays straight. Both feet and knees point out, so the body lowers straight down. This helps the person lower herself evenly.

When Do People Curtsey?

Traditionally, women and girls curtsey to people who are considered to be of higher rank or more important than them. This is similar to how men and boys might bow. Today, this practice is not as common as it used to be.

Curtseying to Royalty

In many European cultures, it is still a tradition for women to curtsey when they meet members of a Royal family. This is sometimes called a "court curtsey" and can be quite deep. Some female domestic workers (people who work in someone's home) might also curtsey for their employers (the people they work for).

Curtseying in Performance

Female dancers often curtsey at the end of a performance. This is a way to say thank you or to acknowledge the applause from the audience. After a ballet class, students will also curtsey or bow to their teacher and the pianist to show their thanks.

In the past, according to dance etiquette (rules for polite behavior), a woman would curtsey before starting a dance. Female Scottish highland dancers also curtsey at the beginning and end of some of their national dances. Female ballroom dancers might curtsey to their partners before starting a Viennese Waltz. In some cultures, females might bow instead of curtseying.

Related pages

• Bowing

Images for kids

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  Michelle Obama curtsying – one leg ahead of the other with both legs bent. The heel is up for the back leg. The back leg crosses the front leg.