When we think about the 10 common hand gestures we use every day, we often assume their meanings have always been what they are now. Yet, a deep dive into body‑language studies shows that many of these motions started out with very different, sometimes scandalous, connotations. Below we rank ten of the most recognizable hand signals, uncovering the surprising stories behind each.

10 Common Hand Gestures Explained

10 Middle Finger

The notorious middle finger is universally recognized as one of the most offensive signs in modern culture, conveying everything from a blunt “go away” to an explicit vulgarity. However, when it first appeared in ancient Greece, it bore a very different meaning. The Greeks called it katapygon, a term used to mock a man who had been penetrated during homosexual activity.

Later, the Romans borrowed the gesture, labeling it digitus impudicus – literally “shameless or indecent finger.” By the 1700s, the gesture evolved to represent sexual intercourse, with the upright digit symbolizing a penis and the adjacent fingers standing in for testicles.

Italian immigrants brought the gesture to the United States in the 1800s, where it solidified into the modern insult we know today. It quickly supplanted shouting as a quick, visual way to express displeasure toward another person.

9 Salute

The origins of the salute are a bit murky. One hypothesis suggests that ancient Roman soldiers raised their hands in greeting, though no concrete evidence backs this claim. Another theory points to medieval knights who lifted their visors with a hand to signal friendliness, yet this too is disputed.

A more reliable account credits British soldiers. Before the 18th century, soldiers would remove their hats to acknowledge higher‑ranking officers. When elaborate hats became fashionable, the gesture shifted to a brisk slap of the brim, a quicker alternative to hat‑removal. The British army eventually formalized this motion into the salute we recognize today.

Interestingly, the U.S. military salutes with the palm down, whereas the British keep the palm outward. This distinction traces back to the British Navy, which adopted a palm‑down salute because sailors often had dirty hands, making a palm‑up gesture impractical.

8 Handshake

The handshake is arguably the most ubiquitous hand gesture worldwide. Its exact birthplace is debated, but many scholars agree it dates back centuries to a time when men routinely carried weapons.

In close‑quarters encounters, two men would clasp right hands to prove they weren’t concealing blades. The up‑and‑down motion we still use today helped dislodge any hidden arms, turning a simple greeting into a safety check.

Another plausible origin links the handshake to oath‑taking. A ninth‑century BC relief depicts King Shalmaneser III of Assyria sealing an alliance with King Baba‑lam of Babylon by shaking hands, suggesting the gesture once symbolized formal agreements.

The Quakers popularized the handshake in the 17th century as a sign of equality, preferring it over bowing or hat‑removal, which they felt implied hierarchy.

7 Crossed Fingers

Crossed fingers serve a dual purpose: they’re a classic luck‑bringing sign and, paradoxically, a covert way to indicate a lie or a planned back‑track on a promise. Their origins are contested, reflecting this split personality.

One school of thought places the gesture in pre‑Christian Europe, a time steeped in superstition. People believed that benevolent spirits dwelled at the intersection of crossed lines; by forming a single cross with their index fingers, they hoped to attract those spirits’ favor.

Another narrative ties the sign to early Christianity. Persecuted believers allegedly used the crossed‑finger configuration—each forming an “L” with thumb and index finger and then interlocking them—to secretly signal one another while avoiding detection.

Regardless of its true birth, the gesture gained widespread popularity during the 14th century Hundred Years’ War. Soldiers would cross their fingers for luck and protection, finding the two‑finger cross the only feasible way to make the sign while gripping weapons.

The lying connotation stems from early Christians who, when forced to deny their faith, would cross their fingers to invoke divine protection from punishment, effectively using the gesture as a shield against accusations.

6 Sign of the Horns

The “sign of the horns” is a versatile hand symbol formed by extending the index and pinky while folding the middle and ring fingers, thumb holding them down. In Italy, when the horns point downward, the gesture wards off bad luck and the evil eye, known there as the corna. Conversely, if directed at a person and swiveled, it becomes an insult implying cuckoldry.

Rock ’n roll embraced the sign in the 1970s. It first appeared on the cover of Coven’s album and later on The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine.” Ronnie James Dio popularized it in heavy metal, claiming he learned it from his Italian grandmother as a protective talisman against the evil eye. The gesture quickly became a staple of metal concerts after Black Sabbath’s tour with Dio.

Beyond music, the horns have been adopted by the notorious MS‑13 gang. The shape resembles an inverted “devil horns” forming the letter “M,” symbolizing ferocity and nonconformity.

In Texas, the gesture is best known as the “Hook ’em Horns” sign for the University of Texas at Austin, mimicking the longhorn mascot Bevo’s head and horns. Various other sports teams also use similar hand signs to represent mascots such as bulls, bison, or devils.

Bram Stoker even referenced the symbol in his 1897 novel Dracula, underscoring its cultural reach.

5 V‑Sign

The V‑sign carries opposite meanings depending on orientation and geography. In the United States, the palm‑outward version signals peace or victory, while the palm‑inward version, popular in Britain, is considered a rude equivalent of the middle finger.

One theory traces the gesture to the 1415 Battle of Agincourt, where English archers allegedly raised two fingers to mock French soldiers who had amputated the two fingers essential for drawing a bow. This act of defiance supposedly evolved into a broader sign of triumph.

Another account links the V‑sign to a medieval cuckold gesture, where the little and index fingers were extended to mock a husband whose wife had been unfaithful. Though less severe than a direct insult, it conveyed social scorn.

4 Thumbs Up And Thumbs Down

Today, a thumbs‑up signals approval while a thumbs‑down denotes disapproval. Their roots lie in ancient Roman gladiatorial contests, where the term pollice verso (“turned thumb”) described the referee’s decision.

When a wounded gladiator lay on the arena floor, the audience signaled whether the combatant should live or die. A raised thumb meant the loser should be slain, whereas a lowered thumb—interpreted as “swords down”—indicated mercy and spared the fighter’s life.

3 Clenched Fist

The clenched fist has become the ultimate emblem of solidarity, defiance, and collective power. While many associate it with civil‑rights movements, its earliest political use dates back to the Spanish Civil War, where communists needed a counter‑symbol to the fascists’ open‑palm salute.

Communists adopted the fist to convey that they were not to be trifled with. The closed hand, with its four weak fingers and a strong thumb forming a compact unit, contrasted sharply with the open palm’s display of vulnerability.

From Spain, the clenched fist spread to other left‑wing and anti‑colonial groups worldwide, eventually permeating a broad range of protest movements as a universal sign of unity and resistance.

2 Shaka Sign

The shaka sign, formed by extending the pinky and thumb while the remaining fingers rest on the palm, is a staple of Hawaiian culture. Accompanied by the chant “Shaka, brah!” it conveys a spectrum of meanings: hello, goodbye, thanks, “hang loose,” “right on,” “no rush,” and an all‑encompassing “everything’s good.”

Its origins are contested, but two stories credit Hawaiian Hamana Kalili, who lost three fingers on his right hand. One tale says Kalili unintentionally created the gesture while blessing someone; another claims he used it to fend off children trying to hop onto trains. Some accounts even attribute the sign to a surfer who survived a shark bite that removed three fingers.

A fourth theory suggests early Spanish explorers introduced the gesture, raising their thumbs to their lips to signal friendliness and an invitation to share a drink, a custom that may have merged with local practices.

1 Vulcan Salute

The Vulcan salute mirrors the V‑sign but uses all four fingers on a single hand. Starting with all fingers together, the middle and ring fingers are spread apart, forming a “V.” Fans of Star Trek and sci‑fi enthusiasts alike use it as a friendly greeting.

Leonard Nimoy first performed the salute in 1967 while portraying Mr. Spock. Within the series, the gesture signified “live long and prosper” among the Vulcan people. Nimoy devised it to give the alien race a distinctive greeting.

Inspired by a Jewish ritual, Nimoy borrowed the hand shape that represents the Hebrew letter shin, the first character in the word “Lord.” Jewish priests employ the same hand formation to bless congregants, a visual cue Nimoy observed in his youth.

When it comes to expressing the complex emotion of love, the phrase 10 grand romantic gestures instantly conjures images of grand gestures that transcend the ordinary. Art, in all its myriad forms, has long served as a canvas for lovers to etch their devotion, and the stories below reveal ten truly unforgettable ways creators have turned affection into masterpiece.

10 Grand Romantic Moments Captured in Creative Form

10 A Lopsided Portrait In A Ring

Imagine receiving a ring that doubles as a slightly distorted portrait of yourself—an odd, almost Frankenstein‑like rendition that most would find unsettling. Yet Pablo Picasso managed to pull off exactly that, embedding a portrait of his lover Dora Maar amidst a swirl of flowers on a custom‑designed ring.

The backstory reads like a dramatic romance novel: after a heated argument beside the River Seine—triggered by Dora’s fury when Picasso tried to barter a painting for a ruby ring—she hurled the coveted jewel into the water. The ring vanished, but Picasso, ever the artist, crafted this peculiar masterpiece as a heartfelt apology.

Although their tempestuous affair eventually dissolved, Dora treasured the unconventional token until her death in 1997, keeping the story of love, art, and a lost ring alive for decades.

9 Performance Art With A Twist

Love, like performance art, rarely follows a predictable script. In the late 1970s, Marina Abramović and her partner Ulay hatched an audacious plan: each would start at opposite ends of the Great Wall of China and walk toward each other, meeting in the middle to seal their bond with marriage.

After years of bureaucratic red tape, the Chinese authorities finally granted permission, and in 1988 the duo embarked on the monumental trek. They christened the piece simply The Lovers. Marina began on the mountainous side while Ulay trekked from the Gobi Desert. After three months of relentless walking, they finally embraced on the ancient stones, tears streaming down their faces.

However, the romance took an unexpected turn. By the time they met, years of infidelity and resentment had eroded their connection, and instead of marrying, they chose to part ways. The performance, once a symbol of unity, evolved into a raw illustration of love’s shifting dynamics.

8 A Good Old‑Fashioned Sonnet

When Elizabeth Barrett Browning penned the Sonnets from the Portuguese, she never intended them for public eyes. These verses were intimate love letters to Robert Browning, charting the evolution of their relationship from secret glances to marital bliss.

After their wedding, Robert urged Elizabeth to share the collection with the world, adding the word “Portuguese” to the title to veil its autobiographical nature. He proudly declared them the finest sonnets since Shakespeare, and the pair’s literary partnership became legendary.

Today, the opening line of Sonnet 43—“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways”—remains etched in the cultural consciousness, a testament to a love that transcended the constraints of Victorian propriety.

7 A Protest Of Love … For Love

The 1960s gave birth to “happenings,” spontaneous artistic events that blurred life and art. John Lennon and Yoko Ono turned their honeymoon into a global statement: a Bed‑in for Peace at the Hilton in Amsterdam, where they lounged in bed surrounded by anti‑war placards.

For twelve straight hours each day, journalists swarmed the room, cameras rolled, and the couple discussed peace while the Vietnam War raged on. Yoko famously urged, “Everybody should just stay in bed and enjoy the spring,” turning intimacy into activism.

Both artists, rooted in the Fluxus movement, used their personal celebration to broadcast the mantra “make love, not war.” By 2016, the very suite they occupied could be rented for $2,400 a night, a pricey reminder of their iconic protest.

6 A Surprising Symphony

For seven years, composer Richard Wagner maintained a clandestine affair with the married Cosima von Bülow. When she finally secured a divorce, the pair married in 1870, and Wagner set out to honor their union with a secret serenade.

On a crisp Christmas morning, as sunrise painted the sky, a small ensemble performed Wagner’s tender composition on the winding staircase outside Cosima’s bedroom. The music arrived precisely at her birthday, amplifying the emotional impact.

Cosima recorded the experience in her diary: “As I awoke, my ear caught a sound which swelled further and further; no longer could I imagine myself to be dreaming, music was sounding, and what music! … I was in tears, but so was the whole house.” The symphonic birthday poem became a cherished memory for both.

5 The Acting Role Of A Lifetime

Red‑haired firecracker Lucille Ball met the charismatic Cuban bandleader Desi Arnaz, and their whirlwind romance soon led to marriage. When CBS wanted to transition her hit radio show I Love Lucy to television, Lucille demanded that the on‑screen husband be her real‑life spouse.

Network executives balked, fearing Desi’s strong Cuban accent would alienate audiences. Undeterred, Lucille and Desi hit the road in a vaudeville act, proving their chemistry could win over the public.The gamble paid off: Desi became a household name, starring alongside Lucille for six seasons, drawing 40 million weekly viewers. Lucille’s insistence turned a simple casting decision into a lifelong artistic partnership and a monumental career boost for her beloved.

4 A Thoughtful Invention

At the turn of the 20th century, Wisconsin architect John W. Hammes dreamed of easing his wife’s kitchen chores. Inspired by the adage “happy wife, happy life,” he envisioned a device that could whisk away food waste with minimal effort.

Hammes retreated to his basement, sketching and tinkering until 1927, when he unveiled the first electric garbage disposal—affectionately dubbed the “electric pig.” After securing a patent, he began commercial production in 1938, forever changing domestic life.

The invention, born from a husband’s love‑driven ingenuity, remains a staple in modern kitchens, quietly honoring the sentiment behind its creation.

3 A Song Written For His Best Friend’s Wife

In the swinging 1960s, rock legends Eric Clapton and George Harrison shared a close friendship. When Clapton fell hopelessly in love with George’s first wife, Pattie Boyd—who had already inspired George’s timeless ballad “Something”—the drama unfolded on a personal and musical level.

Clapton secretly composed a new piece for Pattie, unveiling it during an intimate session in a South Kensington flat. The song, later known as “Layla,” left Pattie breathless: “It was the most powerful, moving song I had ever heard.”

When George confronted the pair, Clapton confessed his love, sparking a legendary rock rivalry that ended with Clapton’s triumph. Pattie eventually embraced another Clapton classic, “Wonderful Tonight,” cementing the episode as a romantic saga set to music.

2 Graffiti

Across the Atlantic, graffiti enjoys a celebrated status in England, thanks to icons like Banksy. When a man in Sheffield decided to propose to his beloved by spray‑painting a heartfelt message on a bridge, the artwork was left untouched for over a decade, admired by passersby.

Unlike a similar stunt in Ohio—where the artist faced arrest and fines—the Sheffield proposal was embraced, eventually immortalized in neon signage reading “I Love You Will U Marry Me.” The anonymous street artist later stepped forward, explaining that despite a fear of heights, he wanted his love to shine as boldly as his paint.

Today, the neon‑lit declaration continues to glow, a permanent testament to a love expressed through urban art.

1 A Secret Clearing

When farmer Winston Howes lost his wife to a sudden heart condition, grief drove him to create a living monument. He planted thousands of oak trees surrounding a heart‑shaped meadow, aligning the heart’s point toward his late spouse’s birthplace.

The meadow remained a private family sanctuary until a hot‑air balloonist captured an aerial photograph, revealing the perfect heart etched between the trees—a sight visible even on Google Maps. Howes also sowed daffodils that burst into bloom each spring, ensuring the tribute would forever echo his love.

Today, the hidden clearing stands as a poignant, enduring reminder that love can be cultivated as much as crops, thriving long after the beloved has gone.

When you set out to explore the planet, you quickly learn that words are only half the conversation. The other half is made up of 10 weird gestures that locals use to say everything from “welcome” to “watch out” without uttering a single syllable. These body‑language quirks can be as friendly as a wave or as risky as a faux pas, so keep reading to avoid accidental offense and maybe even impress a few natives along the way.

10 Weird Gestures Explained

10 Shaking Hands Over A Threshold

We all think of a handshake as the universal “nice to meet you” in the West, but cultures differ. Some bow, some perform a namaste, and many have their own spin on greeting with the hands.

Even in places where handshakes are common, they’re not seen as unlucky. The idea is simply that each culture prefers its own method of showing respect.

In Russia, however, shaking hands while standing on a doorway’s threshold is believed to invite bad luck. The threshold is thought to be the dwelling’s spirit’s domain, and greeting someone there is thought to disturb that spirit.

So, when you walk into a Russian home, hold off on the handshake until you’ve crossed the doorway. That small pause keeps the house’s ghost happy and your visit trouble‑free.

9 Toasting

One of the greatest joys of traveling is sampling the drinking rituals of different nations. While many places raise a glass and shout “cheers,” some cultures have a very different relationship with toasting.

In Hungary, clinking glasses and shouting a hearty “cheers” is more than just a social nicety—it’s a painful reminder of a dark chapter in the country’s history.

During the 19th‑century revolt against the Austrian Empire, the Austrians celebrated their crushing of the Hungarian uprising by forcing prisoners to toast before they were executed. The memory stuck, and for over a century the practice was banned outright. Even after the ban lifted, Hungarians never really reclaimed the clink‑and‑cheer tradition.

8 Patting On The Head

Patting a child on the head is often a light‑hearted way to say “good job” or to show affection when other gestures feel too intimate.

However, in many Asian societies the head is considered sacred, the highest point of the body, and touching it without permission is seen as a serious breach of etiquette.

Countries with strong Buddhist traditions, such as Thailand and parts of China, treat any unsolicited contact with the head as disrespectful. To stay safe, it’s best to avoid patting anyone’s head unless you’re absolutely sure it’s welcome.

7 Devil’s Horns

Rock fans worldwide recognize the “devil’s horns” hand sign as a badge of metal allegiance, thanks to its popularization by Ronnie James Dio of Black Sabbath.

In most places the gesture is a positive, rebellious emblem, but Italy flips the script entirely.

There, flashing the horns is an insult implying a man’s wife is cheating on him. Depending on the context and how drunk the onlookers are, the sign can spark anything from a heated argument to a full‑blown bar fight.

6 Shake And Nod

If you love hopping from one culture to another, you’ll quickly learn that a simple nod for “yes” and a shake for “no” works in almost every corner of the globe.

That universality, however, has an exception: the Balkans. In Albania, Bulgaria, and a few neighboring nations, the meanings are swapped—shaking your head means “yes” while nodding means “no.”

So, before you flash a confident nod in a Balkan café, double‑check the local custom, or you might end up ordering the wrong dish entirely.

5 The OK Sign

The classic “OK” hand gesture—forming a circle with the thumb and index finger while the other three fingers point upward—usually means everything is fine.

Divers, for instance, use it underwater to signal that their gear is functioning properly, making it a handy safety cue beneath the waves.

But head south to Brazil and many Latin American nations, and the same sign flips to a vulgar insult meaning “screw you.” Even Richard Nixon’s 1950s visit to Brazil turned awkward when he flashed the gesture, prompting a chorus of bewildered reactions.

4 Thumbs Up

Raising a thumb while keeping the other fingers clenched is widely understood as a sign of approval or agreement, especially in the United States.

Travelers quickly discover that in Iraq and parts of the Middle East, the same gesture is a crude way of telling someone to “shove it up his ass,” a meaning that dates back to U.S. troops being jeered during the Iraq War.

Interestingly, the gesture’s origins trace back to ancient Rome, where a raised thumb signaled a condemned gladiator’s fate—though the precise evolution from “kill” to “okay” remains a mystery.

3 Shaking Head At An Angle

While most of the world uses a straightforward nod for “yes” and a shake for “no,” India adds a nuanced twist: a sideways, half‑nod, half‑shake motion that can convey a reluctant or half‑hearted agreement.

This subtle head tilt can be highly contextual, sometimes even dripping with sarcasm, and is best interpreted by listening to the surrounding conversation.

If you spot an Indian colleague giving you that tilted look, you’re likely witnessing a polite, if not entirely enthusiastic, assent.

2 Three‑Finger Salute

Raising fingers in the air is a common way to celebrate—think two fingers for a gun‑like gesture or three fingers for a pop‑culture reference.

Fans of “The Hunger Games” often flash three fingers as a sign of rebellion, but in Thailand that very salute is illegal because it was adopted by protestors against the military government.

If you’re planning a trip to Bangkok, it’s safest to keep your fingers down unless you’re prepared to face possible arrest for political dissent.

1 Cutis

The “cutis” gesture involves forming a fist, tucking your thumbnail under your front teeth, and then flicking it outward. It looks like a goofy party trick, but in India and Pakistan it’s a blunt way of saying “screw you.”

The sign can also be performed with the fingers extended instead of curled, but its meaning stays the same—a direct insult that’s not widely recognized across the entire subcontinent, though it tends to be understood in the northern regions.

Because its usage is inconsistent and potentially offensive, it’s best to avoid the cutis gesture altogether when traveling in South Asia.