Kowtow

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/kowtow

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Kowtow. Small Whale. https://smallwhale.org/articles/kowtow. Accessed 2026-09-23. Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. From the article, write the cultural domain:Sinospheric cultures, most notably imperial China
2. From the article, write the associated values:Humility, filial piety, respect for authority, and spiritual devotion
3. What is a kowtow?A kowtow is a special bow where you kneel and lower your head until it touches the floor to show deep respect.
4. Why do people do a kowtow?People do a kowtow to show respect to someone older, a ruler, or a deity, and to show humility.

Sinospheric Culture: A term referring to cultures historically influenced by Chinese civilization, including East and Southeast Asia.
Prostration: The act of lying stretched out on the ground with one's face downward, often as a sign of submission or deep respect.
Filial Piety: A Confucian virtue emphasizing respect, obedience, and care for one's parents and elders.