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Gestures are a form of body language or non-verbal communication. Although some gestures, such as the ubiquitous act of pointing, differ little from one place to another, most gestures do not have invariable or universal meanings, having specific connotations only in certain cultures. This page describes examples of the so-called emblems or quotable gestures. These are culture specific gestures that can be used as replacement for words. Communities have repertoires of such gestures. A single emblematic gesture can have very different significance in different cultural contexts, ranging from complimentary to highly offensive.^[1]

This page includes short descriptions of some gestures. Additional gestures with their own encyclopedic entries are listed at List of gestures.

Contents 1 Using one hand 1.1 Beckoning sign 1.2 Benediction and blessing 1.3 Blah-blah 1.4 Check, please 1.5 Clenched fist 1.6 Clinton thumb 1.7 Cuckoo sign, touched or screw loose 1.8 Fig sign 1.9 How sad 1.10 I-love-you sign 1.11 Money sign 1.12 Patience 1.13 Pointing with index finger 1.14 Shush 1.15 Telephone 1.16 Thumbs up, thumbs down 1.17 Wave 2 Using two hands 2.1 Batsu 2.2 Time-out 3 Hand with body gestures 3.1 Biting one's thumb 3.2 Bowing, kneeling, kowtowing 3.3 Choking sign 3.4 Drinking sign 3.5 Flipping the fingers out from under the chin 3.6 Hand over heart 3.7 Throat slash 3.8 Thumbing the nose 3.9 Twisting the cheek 4 Body and facial gestures 4.1 Anasyrma 4.2 Eye-rolling 5 References

[edit] Using one hand

[edit] Beckoning sign

In North America or Northern Europe a beckoning sign is made with the index finger sticking out of the clenched fist, palm facing the gesturer. The finger moves repeatedly towards the gesturer (in a hook) as to draw something nearer. It has the general meaning of "come here."^[2]

In several Asian and European countries, a beckoning sign is made with a scratching motion with all four fingers and with the palm down.^[3]

In Japan there is a similar gesture, but the palm faces the recipient and the hand is at head's height. This is the gesture featured in the maneki neko.^[4]

In Northern Africa (Maghreb), calling someone is done using the full hand. ^[5]

[edit] Benediction and blessing

The benediction gesture is a raised right hand with the ring and little finger fingers touching the palm, while the middle and index fingers remain raised. Taken from Ancient Roman iconography for speaking (an example is the Augustus of Prima Porta where the emperor Augustus assumes the pose of an orator in addressing his troops), often called the benediction gesture, is used by the Christian clergy to perform blessings with the sign of the cross; however Christians keep the thumb raised — the three raised fingers (index, middle, and thumb) are frequently allegorically interpreted as representing the three Persons of the Holy Trinity.^[6]

[edit] Blah-blah

The fingers are kept straight and together, held horizontal or upwards, while the thumb points downwards. The fingers and thumb then snap together repeatedly to suggest a mouth talking. The gesture can be used to indicate that someone talks too much, gossips, or is boring.^[7]

[edit] Check, please

This gesture, used to mean that a dinner patron wishes to pay the bill and depart, is executed by touching the index finger and thumb together and "writing" a checkmark, circle, or wavy line (as if signing one's name) in the air.^[7]

[edit] Clenched fist

A clenched fist is used as a gesture of defiance or solidarity by a number of groups. It is especially associated with revolutionary or would-be revolutionary movements. When singing The Internationale, the socialist anthem, it is customary to make this gesture.

In US military, the right fist raised up with a straight arm, with the finger side towards the receiver, is an order for the person to stop immediately—to "freeze".^[8]

American Football referees use a raised fist to indicate that a team faces fourth down.

In the United States, shaking a clenched fist may indicate anger, resentment, or opposition.^[3]

[edit] Clinton thumb

The gesture dubbed the "Clinton thumb" after one of its most famous users, Bill Clinton, is used by politicians to provide emphasis in speeches without pointing the finger. This gesture has the thumb leaning against the thumb-side portion of the index finger, which is part of a closed fist. It does not exhibit the anger of the clenched fist or pointing finger, and so is thought to be less threatening.^[9] This gesture was likely adopted by Clinton from John F. Kennedy, who can be seen using it in many speeches during his political career.^[10] It is often used in extemporaneous speech and debate, as a tool for emphasizing points.

[edit] Cuckoo sign, touched or screw loose

In North America, making a circling motion of the index finger at the ear or side of the head signifies that the person "has a screw loose," i.e. is speaking nonsense or is crazy.^[7][3]

Tapping one's index finger against the head indicates that a person or an idea being discussed is insane or "touched in the head".^{[citation needed]} In Germany, tapping or pointing to the temple is used as an insult, often with the accompanying phrase "du hast einen Vogel." While this literally means "You have a bird [in your head]," it is idiomatic for saying that the receiver is insane.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Fig sign

The "fig sign" is a gesture made with the hand and fingers curled and the thumb thrust between the middle and index fingers, or, rarely, the middle and ring fingers, forming the fist so that the thumb partly pokes out. In some areas of the world, the gesture is considered a good luck charm, in others it is considered an obscene gesture. The precise origin of the gesture is unknown, but many historians speculate that it refers to female genitalia.^[7]

This gesture is also the letter "T" in the American manual alphabet.

In ancient Greece, this gesture was a fertility and good luck charm designed to ward off evil. This usage has survived in Portugal and Brazil, where carved images of hands in this gesture are used in good luck talismans.^[7]

[edit] How sad

This gesture (also called "Playing the World's Smallest Violin" or "The world's Smallest Violin Playing Hearts and Flowers") is made by rubbing the thumb and index finger together, to imitate the movement of the bow. It is used to show lack of sympathy for someone telling a sad story: equivalent to a sarcastic "break out the violins."

[edit] I-love-you sign

Made using a combination of the letters 'I', 'L', and 'Y' from American Sign Language. It is made by extending the thumb, index finger, and little finger while the middle and ring finger touch the palm.^[11]

[edit] Money sign

The thumb rubs repeatedly over the tip of the index finger and middle finger. This gesture resembles the act of rubbing coins or bills together and is generally used when speaking about money.^[7]

[edit] Patience

Palm up, index and middle fingers touching the thumb, remaining fingers folded against the palm, and wrist bending slightly, up and down about three times, so that the touching fingers move toward and away from the gesturer. This gesture is used as a reproachful and exasperated request for patience in response to a request to be served immediately out of turn or for something to happen faster than is possible.

[edit] Pointing with index finger

In North America, an extended index finger may be used to point at something.^[3]

[edit] Shush

This gesture is used to demand or request silence from those to whom it is directed. The index finger of one hand is extended, with the remaining fingers curled toward the palm with the thumb forming a fist. The index finger is placed vertically in front of the lips.^[12]

[edit] Telephone

Thumb and pinky outstretched, other fingers tight against palm. Thumb to ear and pinky to mouth. Used to say, "I'll call you."^{[13][14] [15]}

[edit] Thumbs up, thumbs down

A closed fist held with the thumb extended upward or downward is a gesture of approval or disapproval, respectively.

The source of the gesture is obscure. Though a favorite of Hollywood sword and sandal epics, where the "thumbs down" symbol means that the loser in a gladiatorial combat should be put to death, recent research suggests the meanings of the symbols have changed over the years. In 1997, Professor Anthony Philip Corbeill of the University of Kansas concluded that the thumbs up actually meant "Kill him," basing his assertion on a study of hundreds of ancient artworks. The crowds would point their thumbs "up", the thumb pointing to the throat which held a similar meaning to moving one's thumb across their throat. Thus, the "thumbs up" was an approval of the gladiator's request to kill his vanquished foe rather than a vote to allow the defeated to remain alive. Corbeill wrote that a closed fist with a wraparound thumb was the indication for a gladiator's life to be spared.

In Latin, the "thumbs up" gesture is called pollice recto, "thumbs down" is pollice verso. It is not certain that the contemporary gestures are identical to the gestures performed in ancient Rome.

Additionally, Desmond Morris' Gestures: Their Origins and Distribution traces the practice back to a medieval custom used to seal business transactions... Over time, the mere sight of an upraised thumb came to symbolize harmony and kind feelings... The gesture's popularization in America is generally attributed to the practices of World War II pilots, who used the thumbs up to communicate with ground crews prior to take-off. American GIs are reputed to have picked up on the thumb and spread it throughout Europe as they marched toward Berlin."^[16]

"'Thumbs up' traditionally translates as the foulest of Middle-Eastern gesticular insults — the most straightforward interpretation is 'Up yours, pal!' The sign has a similarly pejorative meaning in parts of West Africa, South America, Iran, Greece, and Sardinia, according to Roger E. Axtell's book Gestures: The Do's and Taboos of Body Language Around the World."^[17]

Hitchhikers traditionally use a thumbs up gesture to solicit rides from oncoming vehicles, although in this presentation the arm is generally outstretched with the palm and closed fingers facing the motorist. People who have the genetic ability to bend the tip of their thumb backwards are said to have "hitchhiker's thumb", which is a reference to the original gesture.

[edit] Wave

A wave is a gesture in which the hand is raised and moved back and forth, as a greeting or sign of departure. The gesture can be used to attract attention at a distance. Most commonly, though, the gesture means quite simply "hello" or "goodbye".^[7][18]

[edit] Using two hands

[edit] Batsu

In Japanese culture, the batsu (literally: ×-mark) is a gesture made by crossing one's arms in the shape of an "X" in front of them in order to indicate that something is "wrong" or "no good".^[19]

[edit] Time-out

The "time-out" gesture—a "T" formed with the hands, with one hand with flat palm placed perpendicular to the other hand with flat palm, roughly in the center — originates in American sports. It is used by players to signal for a time out, or brief pause in play. In basketball, the gesture is additionally used by referees to indicate that a player or coach is guilty of a technical foul.

[edit] Hand with body gestures

[edit] Biting one's thumb

Biting one's thumb was an old rude British gesture. It is comparable to "the finger" in modern terms. In William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet, Capulet's servant Sampson precipitates a brawl by biting his thumb at the Montague's servant Abraham (Act 1, Scene 1). In the scene it appears that biting one's thumb in Verona is a non-verbal equivalent of fighting words. Sampson explains the meaning of the gesture to his companion Gregory, suggesting that the gesture could have been unfamiliar even to the original audience of the play.^[20] The play does not describe the gesture in detail, but in performances of the play it is often enacted by placing the thumb upright (as in a "thumbs up" sign) just behind the upper incisors, then flicking the thumb outward in the direction of person the gesture is meant to insult. The gesture implies cowardice, someone who would "take the fig"

The gesture is also a traditional Sicilian insult meaning 'to hell with you'.^[21]

[edit] Bowing, kneeling, kowtowing

A bow is a gesture involving lowering the head, or holding the hands along a person's body and bowing from the waist. It is usually used as a greeting to show respect, rather than acknowledging superiority of the receiver. Various cultures have different degrees or ways of performing the bow; China and Japan are particularly associated with elaborate and formal bowing. Bowing is also done by many groups as a ritual associated with prayer. In the Western world, women curtsey rather than bow.

[edit] Choking sign

The standard gesture to indicate that one is choking is to hold the throat with one or both hands as if strangling oneself. This is recognized as a request for immediate first aid for choking. It is promoted as a way to prevent onlookers from confusing the victim's distress with some other problem, such as a heart attack, when the person cannot speak.

[edit] Drinking sign

In UK, the gesture for drinking (used for example as an invitation to "go down the pub") is made by putting the back of the thumb just below the lower lip, while the other fingers are close together as if holding an imaginary pint of beer, tipping it repeatedly. This gesture can also be used to imply that somebody is drunk, either literally or insultingly.

[edit] Flipping the fingers out from under the chin

A traditional Sicilian gesture analogous in meaning to the raised middle finger. This gesture became the center of a controversy in March 2006, when Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia was photographed allegedly making the gesture to illustrate his response to his critics. Scalia later claimed that he used a different gesture, waving his fingers beneath his chin, a gesture translating to "I couldn't care less."^[22]

[edit] Hand over heart

This gesture involves placing one's right hand, palm outstretched and facing in, over one's heart. Male hat or cap wearers typically remove their hats and hold them in this hand. In some cultures, it is used as a gesture of respect towards flags or during singing of a national anthem. In the United States, it is also performed as a part of the rituals of the Pledge of Allegiance.

[edit] Throat slash

A sign is made by moving one's finger across one's throat; the gesture imitates cutting a person's throat with a blade. The gesture indicates strong disapproval, extreme anger, or displeasure with others or with oneself.^[7]

[edit] Thumbing the nose

A sign of derision in Britain made by putting your thumb on your nose and wiggling your fingers.^[2] This gesture is also known as Anne's Fan or Queen Anne's Fan,^[23] and is sometimes referred to as cocking a snook.^[24]

[edit] Twisting the cheek

Thumb and forefinger are placed against the cheek, and a screwing motion, as if making a dimple, is made by twisting the wrist. In Italian culture this can mean "I see a pretty girl" or that something is delicious. In Germany the gesture can be used to suggest that someone is crazy.^[2]

[edit] Body and facial gestures

Many gestures utilize only the face or body, without the hands.

[edit] Anasyrma

Anasyrma, the gesture of lifting up the skirt or kilt, is traceable back to European antiquity. It is used in connection with certain religious rituals, eroticism, and lewd jokes.^[25]

[edit] Eye-rolling

Performed by rotating the eyes upward and back down. It can indicate incredulity, contempt, boredom, frustration, or exasperation. The gesture can be unconscious or can be performed consciously. The gesture occurs in many countries of the world, and is especially common among adolescents.^[7]

[edit] References

v • d • e Gestures Friendly gestures A-ok · Air kiss · Cheek kissing · Doff / hat tip · Dap greeting · Elbow bump · Eskimo kissing · Fist bump · High five · Namaste · Shaka · Thumbs up · Wai Formal gestures Bowing · Curtsey · Hand-kissing · Handshaking · Genuflection · Kowtow Salutes Salute · Bellamy salute · Hitler salute · Roman salute · Scout sign and salute · Three-finger salute · Two-finger salute Celebration gestures Applause · Fist pump · Victory clasp · Gator Chomp · Gig 'em Aggies · Guns Up · High five/Gimme five · Pitchfork/Trident · Sic 'em Bears · Tomahawk Chop · Hook 'em Horns · Cougar Paw Obscene gestures Bras d'honneur · Sign of the horns · Finger · Mooning · Shocker · Moutza · V sign · Wanker Finger counting Chinese number gestures  · Chisanbop  · Finger binary Other Air quotes · Anasyrma · Articulatory gestures · Crossed fingers · Finger gun · Gang signal · Hand-rubbing · Head bobble · Jazz hands · Lock and fly · Laban Sign · Loser · Manual communication · Mudra · Nod · Poke · Pollice verso · Puppy face · Raised fist · Right hand rule · Right hand grip rule · Rock-paper-scissors  · Shrug · Sign of the Cross · Types of gestures · Varadamudra · V sign · Vulcan salute List of gestures