moontza

Every year on the 25th of March here in Greece we celebrate our independence day with parades. There is a military parade in Athens and student parades everywhere else. It is our equivallent of the Fourth of July. In every town and city a stage is set upon which distinguished members of society, military chiefs and the local mayor along with some guest MPs will sit. As the parade marches past this elevated stand the flagbearer will turn his or her head towards the honored and give them the salute. This year many students decided not to give the usual salute and instead of facing the honored stand turned their heads and gave a different salute. The open handed gesture known as moontza is one that is demeaning and disgraceful. It is the equivallent of giving the finger and also means "go to hell". A profoundly insulting gesture that is usual reserved for the worst drivers the moontza has its own urban legend. The myth is that as Jesus was being led up Calvary or Golgotha a Roman legionaire struck Christ with his hand open, just like in our rude gesture. So what does it all mean? Just ask the shriner...many thanks to Main Street Oceanside.