The Zogist salute is a military salute

Salute

A salute is a gesture or other action used to display respect. Salutes are primarily associated with armed forces, but other organizations and civil people also use salutes.-Military salutes:...

 of Albania

Albania

Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...

 since used by civilians in other countries.

The salute is still popular amongst modern day supporters of Zogu and Albanian monarchists in general. Under the post-war communist government of Enver Hoxha

Enver Hoxha

Enver Halil Hoxha was a Marxist–Leninist revolutionary andthe leader of Albania from the end of World War II until his death in 1985, as the First Secretary of the Party of Labour of Albania...

, the Zogist salute was used by dissidents as an anti-regime statement.

Form

The Zogist salute is a gesture whereby the right hand is placed over the heart, with the palm facing downwards.

History

The distinctive gesture was instituted as a salute by Zog I of Albania. It was first widely used by Zog's personal police force and was later adopted by the Royal Albanian Army.

Leo Freundlich, when confronted by the traditional Nazi greeting "Heil Hitler", would sarcastically respond with a "Heil Zogu" salute. The confusion which this created amongst German

Germany

Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...

 diplomats, who believed it to be a standard Albanian greeting, greatly amused him.

Mexico

In Latin America, especially in Mexico

Mexico

The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...

, a gesture similar to the "Zogist salute" is used by civilians to salute the national
flag..

India

A similar salute is also used in India by the international Hindu social volunteer organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or National Patriotic Organization), also known the Sangh, is a right-wing Hindu nationalist, paramilitary, volunteer, and allegedly militant organization for Hindu males in India...

. This salute is called Sangh pranaam.