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The complete visual guide to the most popular hand signs
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Hand signs and gestures are used across communities and cultures as non-verbal forms of communication. As a significant part of human language, hand signs play an important role in public speaking and social interactions—which is why it’s so important to know precisely what they mean! In the article below, we’ve provided a comprehensive list of the most common hand gestures around the world—including variations on their meanings based on what culture or country you find yourself in.

Common Hand Signs & Their Meanings

  1. Thumbs Up 👍: Expresses approval, agreement, or contentment.
  2. Peace Sign✌️: Indicates unity, peace, and sometimes victory.
  3. Shaka Sign 🤙: Used to express camaraderie and positivity, i.e., “hang loose.”
  4. Pinched Fingers 🤌: Italian gesture to ask “what do you want?”
  5. I Love You Sign 🤟: Borrowed from American Sign Language to express love.
1

Thumbs Up

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  1. The “thumbs up” is a common symbol of approval or contentment. The hand sign is formed by making a fist, then extending a thumb and pointing it upward. In American and European cultures, it’s used to express agreement, approval, or the fact that everything is going according to plan.[1]
    • Similarly, the “thumbs down” gesture is commonly used in the U.S. to mean the opposite of a “thumbs up,” i.e., disapproval or disagreement.
    • The “thumbs down” and “thumbs up” emojis are also very commonly used to express these ideas over text.
    • In other countries, however, these hand signs have a different meaning. The “thumbs up” sign is considered a major insult in many Islamic and Asian countries, and the “thumbs down” sign may be considered rude and arrogant in other cultures.[2]
    • In Australia, the “thumbs up” gesture shares the European and American meanings unless it’s moved up and down—which turns it into an insult.
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2

Peace or Victory Sign

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  1. The peace sign is a mostly universal positive symbol of peace and unity. This meaning of the peace sign came about during the Vietnam War and the “hippie” era in the United States, during which the peace sign began to symbolize pacifism and efforts to end the conflict.[3]
    • Prior to the 1960s, however, the hand sign that features the index and middle fingers extended in a “V” actually indicated “victory.” For this reason, the symbol is sometimes referred to as a “victory sign.”[4]
    • In the U.S., the peace sign holds the same meaning regardless of palm orientation. In other countries like the U.K., South Africa, and Australia, however, making a peace sign with the palm facing inward is considered a major insult.[5]
  1. The “OK” sign means “okay” or “fine by me.” The hand sign is made by curling the index finger and thumb into a circle and then extending the remaining fingers upward. The OK sign is a common hand gesture throughout the English-speaking world and is typically used to say that everything is going well.[6]
    • This symbol has varied meanings across different cultures and also has been partially co-opted by modern-day hate groups.
    • In Brazil, Germany, Russia, and France, the gesture is considered to be an extremely rude insult.[7] In New Zealand it’s used to call out a lazy person, and in Australia it’s used to express the number “zero.”
    • In Buddhism, the “OK” sign is called the Vitarka Mudra and represents the Wheel of Dharma. It’s often used in meditation and other spiritual practices.[8]
    • Unfortunately, the OK symbol has also been used by white supremacy groups to indicate their affiliation and express racist views. The hand gesture has now been classified as an official hate gesture, but it’s still widely used for its original, positive meaning.
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7

Pinched Fingers

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  1. The pinched fingers gesture is an Italian way to ask, “What do you want?” In Italian culture, it’s common for people to use their hands to speak and gesticulate. The “pinched fingers” gesture, however, has been popularized around the world to express disbelief or frustration. The hand sign itself is made by touching the fingers and thumb together while shaking the wrist.[13]
    • The same hand sign can also be used to say “chef’s kiss” and express that a meal was particularly tasty. This expression brings the “pinched fingers” to the lips to be kissed and moved away dramatically.[14]
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8

“Rock On” or the Sign of the Horns

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  1. The sign of the horns can mean anything from “rock on” to infidelity or devil worship. The hand gesture is made by curling the middle, thumb, and ring fingers in toward the palm while extending the index and pinky fingers upwards. In America, this symbol is often called the “rock on” symbol and is used by hard rock bands to express approval or enjoyment.[15]
    • In many European countries, however, this bull-like symbol is seen as the sign of the devil. Conversely, Hindu and Buddhist cultures use it as a positive symbol that expels demons, also known as the karana mudrā.[16]
    • Also known as the Corona, this hand gesture can also be used to indicate that one’s spouse is cheating on them in countries like Italy, Brazil, Cuba, Spain, and Portugal.[17]
    • The sign can also be used in more niche communities, like schools that have a bull or bull-like animal as their mascot. The student body of the University of Texas in Austin, for example, is known as the Longhorns, so they often flash this symbol at sporting events to show support for their team.
9

“I Love You” Sign

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  1. The “I love you” gesture is a shorthand way to say this phrase in American Sign Language. The ASL sign is made by curling the middle and ring fingers into the palm and extending the thumb, index, and pinky fingers outwards. This sign is a composite of the ASL fingerspelling signs for the letters “I,” “L,” and “Y,” so it’s similar to saying “ILY” over text or in real life![18]
    • While this love hand sign originates with American Sign Language, it’s become popular in both Deaf and hearing communities alike.
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10

“Come Here” Gesture

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  1. The “come here” gesture is used to summon someone toward you. In the U.S. and some other English-speaking countries, curling the index finger toward the palm is a way to say “come over here” or “come closer.” In other countries, however, it’s known as “the dog call” and should not be used to summon humans.[19]
    • In the Philippines, for instance, this hand gesture is considered to be incredibly offensive and can even result in arrest.[20]
    • The beckoning hand sign is also considered rude in Japanese culture and even signifies “death” in Singapore.[21]
12

Fingers Crossed

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  1. Crossing one’s fingers is a way to hope for good luck or for a wish to come true. This hand symbol is rooted in a common superstition in Western cultures where early Christians would cross their index and middle fingers to invoke the power of the cross. In modern times, it’s become a modern (and secular) symbol of hope and good fortune.[24]
    • Sometimes, the fingers-crossed gesture can be used as a way to be insincere while making a promise. Some people (often schoolchildren) will cross their fingers behind their backs while making a commitment, believing that this gesture frees them from the promise.
    • In Vietnam, crossing one’s fingers is considered a vulgar symbol.[25]
13

Fig Sign

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  1. The fig sign can be used as an insult or to ward off evil spirits. The hand sign is made by curling the hand into a fist and sticking the thumb between the index and middle fingers. The fig sign is considered to be a mildly obscene gesture in many countries, including Italy, Greece, and South Africa.[26]
    • Other countries, such as Russia and Azerbaijan, use this gesture to indicate a rude and absolute refusal.[27]
    • Meanwhile, Portuguese, Spanish, and Brazilian cultures use the fig hand sign as a way to ward off evil spirits and wish someone good luck.
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21

Talking on the Phone

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  1. Two different hand signs represent phone calls, depending on generation. Elder Gen Z individuals, along with older generations like millennials and Gen Xers, will indicate a phone call by holding a fist to their ear with their thumb and pinky extended. This handshape mimics the landline and flip phones that these generations grew up with.
    • Members of young Gen Z and Gen Alpha, however, have only experienced smartphones and similar mobile devices. Therefore, they keep their hand completely flat and simply raise it to their ear.
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Tips

  • When using hand signs and gestures, make sure to nail the nuance of each symbol, especially if you’re spending time in a culture that’s not your own. Something as simple as palm orientation can significantly change the meaning of the sign you’re trying to use.
  • Be mindful of pointing at people with your index finger—while sometimes used to emphasize a point, this gesture can also be perceived as rude or aggressive when directed at another person.
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  1. https://www.startrek.com/news/the-jewish-ritual-that-led-nimoy-to-create-the-vulcan-salute
  2. https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gen-z-millennial-heart-hand-gesture-b2140445.html
  3. https://www.vulture.com/2011/08/taylor_swift_claiming_responsi.html
  4. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-51333661
  5. https://www.dictionary.com/e/slang/chefs-kiss/
  6. https://www.jacksonville.com/story/entertainment/local/2011/02/18/hand-horns-story-behind-popular-rock-concert-gesture/985504007/
  7. https://pages.ucsd.edu/~dkjordan/chin/shoouyinn/MudrasDescribed.html
  8. ​​https://italoamericano.org/horns-symbol-of-infidelity/
  9. https://youtu.be/8rkdu9D9geo?t=8
  10. https://harrisburg.psu.edu/international-students-office/guide-american-culture-etiquette
  11. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cross-cultural-gestures_b_3437653
  12. https://books.google.com/books?id=3r-3YH3t45cC&pg=PA55#v=onepage&q&f=false
  13. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/pinky-swear
  14. https://journeys.dartmouth.edu/folklorearchive/2018/11/11/insulting-gestures-china-gesture-4-pointing-with-pinky/
  15. https://artsandculture.google.com/story/18-superstitions-from-around-the-world/QQIyTWmzJ9QvLg
  16. https://vietnam.travel/things-to-do/vietnamese-etiquette-travellers
  17. https://www.symbols.com/symbol/the-fig-hand-gesture
  18. https://www.rbth.com/arts/2014/07/29/the_world_of_russian_folk_gestures_37017
  19. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/give%20%28someone%29%20the%20bird
  20. https://matadornetwork.com/read/hand-signs-meaning/
  21. https://archive.org/details/fieldguidetogest0000arms/page/1/mode/1up?q=loser
  22. https://gamequitters.com/emoji-slang-meanings/
  23. https://www.vice.com/en/article/wj8e74/searching-for-the-man-behind-the-circle-game

About This Article

Sophie Burkholder, BA
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Sophie Burkholder, BA. Sophie Burkholder graduated from Boston University in 2020 with dual degrees in Spanish and Modern Foreign Language Education. For three years, Sophie worked as a classroom teacher and strived to foster a love of learning and self-empowerment in her students. With that same purpose but a new audience, she now writes for the content team at wikiHow. She's passionate about giving readers the tools they need for any goal, big or small.
1 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 4
Updated: July 15, 2024
Views: 790
Categories: Body Language
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 790 times.

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