Avatars and Gestures

See Avatar (disambiguation) for other meanings.

The 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu

In Hinduism, an avatar or avatara (Sanskrit अवतार), is the incarnation (bodily manifestation) of an Immortal Being, or of the Ultimate Supreme Being. It derives from the Sanskrit word avatāra which means "descent" and usually implies a deliberate descent into mortal realms for special purposes. The term is used primarily in Hinduism, for incarnations of Vishnu the Preserver, whom many Hindus worship as God. The Dasavatara (see below) are ten particular "great" incarnations of Vishnu.

Unlike Christianity, and Shaivism, Vaishnavism believes that God takes a special (including human) form whenever there is a decline of righteousness (dharma) and rise of evil. Lord Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu, according to Vaishnavism that is espoused by Ramanuja and Madhva, and God in Gaudiya Vaishnavism, said in the Gita: “For the protection of the good, for destruction of evil, and for the establishment of righteousness, I come into being from age to age.” (Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 4, verse 8.) In any event, all Hindus believe that there is no difference between worship of Vishnu and His avatars as it all leads to Him.

The word has also been used by extension by non-Hindus to refer to the incarnations of God in other religions, notably Christianity, for example Jesus.

Teachings and significance

The philosophy reflected in the Hindu epics is the doctrine of the avatar (incarnation of Vishnu or God as an animal or a human form). The two main avatars of Vishnu that appear in the epics are Rama, the hero of the Ramayana, and Krishna, the friend of the Pandavas in the Mahabharata. Unlike the superhuman devas (gods) of the Vedic Samhitas and the abstract Upanishadic concept of the all-pervading Brahman, the avatars in these epics are intermediaries between the Supreme Being represented as either Saguna Brahman or Nirguna Brahman and mere mortals.

This doctrine has had a great impact on Hindu religious life, for to many it means that God has manifested Himself in a form that could be appreciated even by the least sophisticated. Rama and Krishna have remained prominent as beloved and adored manifestations of the Divine for thousands of years among Hindus. The Upanishadic concept of the underlying unity of Brahman is revered by many to be the pinnacle of Hindu thought, and the concept of the avatars has purveyed this concept to the average Hindu as an expression of the manifestation of the Hindu's highest single divinity as an aid to humanity in difficult times. The Hindu cycle of creation and destruction contains the essence of the idea of "avatars" and indeed relies on a final avatar of Vishnu, that of Kalki, as the final destructive force at the end of the world.

Aside from Rama and Krishna there are many other human or animal forms which appeared on earth or elsewhere in the universe. Scriptures do not describe any appearance as an avatar by Brahma or Shiva (they are themselves listed as guna avatars) of nirguna Brahman, but emanations of Vishnu have appeared a number of times. Some Hindus, based on the Ramayana, aver that Shiva incarnated once as the monkey-god Hanuman. Hanuman is more well-known as the son of Vayu, the deva of wind or his emanation. (Hanuman lived in a jungle and is called vanara, which means people having characteristics of monkey, and was one of the greatest devotees of Vishnu).

The ten Avatars, or Dasavatara

The Maha Avatara (Great Avatars) of Vishnu are usually said to be ten and this is popularly known as the Dasavatara (dasa (dasha) in Sanskrit means ten). The first four of the ten avatars have appeared in the Krita Yuga (the first of the four Yugas or Ages that comprise one Mahayuga - for more details please read the section above on Lord Brahma). The next three avatars appeared in the Treta Yuga, the eighth incarnation in the Dwapar Yuga and the ninth in the Kali Yuga. The tenth is expected to appear at the end of the Kali Yuga.

1. Matsya, the fish, appeared in the Satya Yuga.
2. Kurma, the tortoise, appeared in the Satya Yuga.
3. Varaha, the boar, appeared in the Satya Yuga.
4. Narasimha, the Man-Lion (Nara = man, simha = lion), appeared in the Satya Yuga.
5. Vamana, the Dwarf, appeared in the Treta Yuga.
6. Parashurama, Rama with the axe, appeared in the Treta Yuga.
7. Rama, Sri Ramachandra, the prince and king of Ayodhya, appeared in the Treta Yuga.
8. Krishna (meaning dark or black; see also other meanings in the article about him.), appeared in the Dwapar Yuga.
9. Balarama (meaning one who holds a plough). Balarama is said to have appeared in the Dwaper Yuga (along with Krishna).
10. Kalki ("Eternity", or "time", or "The Destroyer of foulness"), who is expected to appear at the end of Kali Yuga, the time period in which we currently exist, which will end in the year 428899 CE.

The 24 Avatars of the Puranas

Puranas list twenty-five avataras of Vishnu. A description of these is found in the Bhagavata Purana, Canto 1.

1) Catursana 2) Narada 3) Varaha 4) Matsya 5) Yajna 6) Nara-Narayana 7) Kapila 8) Dattatreya 9) Hayasirsa 10) Hamsa 11) Prsnigarbha 12) Rsabha 13) Prithu 14) Narasimha 15) Kurma 16) Dhanvantari 17) Mohini 18) Vamana 19) Parasurama 20) Raghavendra (Rama) 21) Vyasa 22) Balarama 23) Krishna 24) Kalki

Types of avatars

Avatars(as believed) of Madhvacharya. From top (in order of occurrence): Hanuman, Bhima and Shri Madhvacharya

• According to Madhvacharya, all avatars of Vishnu are alike in potency and every other quality. There is no gradation among them, and perceiving or claiming any differences among avatars is a cause of eternal damnation. (See Madhva's commentary on the Katha Upanishad, or his Mahabharata-Tatparya-Nirnaya.)
• According to Vaishnava doctrine, there are two type of avatars, primary avatars and secondary avatars. The most common type of primary avatars are called Svarupavatars, in which He manifests Himself in His Sat-cid-ananda form. In the primary avatars, such as Narasimha, Rama, Krishna, Vishnu directly descends. The Svarupavatars are subdivided into Amsarupavatars and Purna avatars. In Amsarupavatars, Vishnu is fully present in the body but He is manifest in the person only partially. Such avatars include the first five avatars from Matsya to Vamana except for Narasimha. Narasimha, Rama and Krishna, on the other hand, are types of Purna avatars, in which all the qualities and powers of the Lord are expressed. Narasimha and Rama are also additionally considered to be Lila avatars.
• Other avatars are secondary avatars, such as Parashurama in which Vishnu does not directly descend. Parashurama is the only one of the traditional ten avatars that is not a direct descent of Vishnu. There are two types of secondary avatars: 1) Vishnu enters a soul with His form. (e.g., Parashurama) or 2) Vishnu does not enter a soul with His own form, but gives him extraordinary divine powers. (e.g., Veda Vyasa.) The secondary avatar class is sometimes called Saktyamsavatar, Saktyaveshavatar or avesha avatar.
• Note that the secondary avatars are not worshipped. Only the direct, primary avatars are worshipped. However, in practice, the direct avatars that are worshipped today are the Purna avatars of Narasimha, Rama and Krishna. Krishna, among most Vaishnavites, is considered to be the highest kind of Purna avatar. However, followers of Chaitanya (including ISKCON), Nimbarka, Vallabhacharya differ philosophically from other Vaishnavites, such as Ramanuja and Madhva and consider Krishna to be the ultimate Godhead, and not simply an avatar. In any event, all Hindus believe that there is no difference between worship of Vishnu and His avatars as it all leads to Him.
• References are cited and given below.
• A number of people in more recent times have are considered to be avatars by themselves or by others. See List of other people considered to be avatars.

The Ninth Avatar: Balarama or Buddha?

Balarama is the ninth avatar according to Puranic tradition. According to Puranas, Buddha is never considered as a part of Dasa Avatar. In fact, Buddha is against Hinduism and its concepts. Hence it is not at all possible for Hinduism to accept Buddha as one of its avatars. The only avatar in Kali Yuga is that of Kalki and He is yet to appear.

Symbolism

Many claim that the ten avatars represent the evolution of life and of mankind on earth. Matsya, the fish, represents life in water. Kurma, the tortoise, represents the next stage, amphibianism. The third animal, the boar Varaha, symbolizes life on land. Narasimha, the Man-Lion, symbolizes the commencement development of mammals. Vamana, the dwarf, symbolizes this incomplete development of human. Then, Parashurama, the forest-dwelling hermit armed with an axe, connotes completion of the basic development of humankind. The King Rama signals man's ability to govern nations. Krishna, an expert in the sixty-four fields of science and art according to Hinduism, indicates man's advancement in cultural and civilization. Buddha, the Enlightened one, symbolizes the enlightenment and social advancement of man. Balarama, whose weapon was a plough could stand for the development of agriculture.

Note that the time of the avatars also has some significance: Thus, kings rule reached its ideal state in Treta Yuga with Rama Avatar and social justice and Dharma reached its ideal state in Dwapar Yuga with the avatar of Krishna. Thus the avatars represent the evolution of life and society with changing epoh from Krita Yuga to Kali yuga. The animal evolution and development connotations also bear striking resemblances to the modern scientific theory of Evolution.

List of other people considered to be avatars

For more details on this topic, see List of people considered to be avatars.

Besides the ten traditional avatars of Hinduism, some other Indian Hindus are considered to be avatars by themselves or by others. Some of these include:

• Chaitanya (1486-1534) is claimed to be an avatar of Krishna by the Gaudiya Vaishnavism sect. He is also known as the 'Golden Avatar'. His appearance is predicted in the latter texts of the Srimad Bhagavatam. For more information, see Gaudiya Vaishnava Theology.
• Ayya Vaikundar (1809-1851) According to Akilattirattu Ammanai, the religious book of Ayyavazhi, Lord Vaikundar arose from the sea as the Avatar of Narayana.
• Sri Ramakrishna (1836-1886) and Sri Sarada Devi (1853-1920). Ramakrishna is reported to have said to Swami Vivekananda, "He who was Rama and Krishna is now, in this body, Ramakrishna." Sarada Devi, who was married to Ramakrishna in a traditional Indian child marriage, is likewise considered by many to be an incarnation of Kali. This pairing of contemporaneous avatars is rare if not unique in Hindu history. Ramakrishna, Sarada Devi, and Vivekananda are worshipped by devotees worldwide as a holy trinity, the latter not as an avatar but as someone who has obtained moksha, total enlightnenment and liberation from samsara, the cycle of birth and death.
• Shirdi Sai Baba (18??-1918) some of his followers believed him to be an avatar of Dattatreya
• Meher Baba (1894- 1969)
• Hans Ji Maharaj (1900-1966) Declared that the Satguru is an avatar with the 64 kalas ^[1]
• Sathya Sai Baba (1926?-1929?-present) claims to be an avatar of Shiva, Shakti and Krishna
• Mother Meera (1960-present) claims to be an Avatar of Adipara-Shakti
• Narayani Amma (1976-present) claimed as the real Narayani Avatar

Some Hindus with a universalist outlook view the central figures of various non-Hindu religions as avatars. Many others Hindus reject the the idea of avatars outside of traditional Hinduism. Some of these religious figures include:

• Zoroaster (Zarathustra) the prophet of Zoroastrianism.
• Mahavira (599 BC-527 BC) originator of the tenents of Jainism.
• Gautama Buddha (563-483BC-543BC) the key figure in Buddhism. See Sarvepalli_Radhakrishnan and Vaishnava Theology.
• Jesus (4 BC-36) whose teachings inspired Christianity.
• Muhammed (570-632) the prophet of Islam.
• Bahá'u'lláh (1817-1892) the founder-prophet of the Bahá'í Faith, believed to be Kalki Avatar.

The label of avatar has been used by others outside of the Indian subcontinent and the umbrella of mainstream religions. Some of these are:

• Samael Aun Weor (1917-1977) claimed as the real Kalki Avatar and Buddha Maitreya
• Adi Da (1939-present) claims to be the Kalki avatar

External links

- Animation Project based on Vishnu's Ten Incarnations

• The Avatar site
• Dasavatara stotra and the ten avataras
• Avataras categorized
• Avatars (Incarnations or Descents) of Vishnu
• Avatar of Lord Vishnu
• The Ten Avatars
• Dasavatar discussion with meanings
• Gaudiya Vaishnava types of avatar chart; similar beliefs with some modifications with Krishna as the Supreme Person.
• Flash site of the avatars of Sriman Narayana.
• Vishnu the Cosmic Protector - by Madhuri Guin (the contents of this link cannot be viewed in India)

References

• - Animation Project based on Vishnu's Ten Incarnations
• Meaning of Parushama, an Avesha avatar.
• Types of Avatars; answers to questions #67-70.
• Bhakti Schools of Vedanta, pg. 94, by Swami Tapasyananda, available at Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai. available at India web site: http://www.sriramakrishnamath.org and US site: http://www.vedanta.com.
• ^  Gupta, Mahendra. Hans Puran, (1969) New Delhi.

  "Only he is the true teacher [Satguru] who can show what are the religious and social obligations [dharma], show God to you, and give you the Knowledge of the holy name [sat nam]. And he who can give you the Knowledge of this dharma is completely wise. Satguru is the one who has the perfect wisdom. And other than the Satguru no one has the perfect wisdom. Oh! People of the world! Only a perfect avatar with the sixty-four virtues [kalae] can reveal this Knowledge." Hans Ji Maharaj (Bombay, March 1966)

See mouse gesture for gestures in computing

Military signalmen use hand and body gestures to direct flight operations aboard aircraft carriers.

A gesture is a form of non-verbal communication made with a part of the body, and used instead of verbal communication (or in combination with it).

Gestures below with a sexual meaning are marked*.

A form of non-verbal communication

Many gestures have offensive import; the language of gesture is rich in ways for individuals to express contempt, hostility, or approval towards others. Most people use gestures and body language in addition to words when they speak; some ethnic groups and languages use them more than others do, and the amount of such gesturing that is considered culturally acceptable varies from one location to the next. These gestures include acts such as pointing, one of the few gestures whose meaning varies little from one country to the next, as well as using the hands and body to keep time with the rhythms of speech and emphasize certain words or phrases.

Most of these gestures have no invariable or specific meaning; the gestures listed below have such a meaning in the cultures in which they are found. The gestures we use as we speak are integrally connected to both our speech and our thought processes; prominent researchers in this field include Adam Kendon, Susan Goldin-Meadow and David McNeill.

Gesture as a mating ritual

Many animals, including humans, use gestures to initiate a mating ritual. This may include an elaborate dance among others.

Hindu and Buddhist Mudras

Vitarka mudra, Tarim Basin, 9th century

In Hinduism, a mudra (Sanskrit, literally "seal") is a symbolic gesture made with the hand or fingers. Each mudra has a specific meaning, and they are a central part of Hindu and Buddhist iconography. An example would be the Vitarka mudra, the gesture of discussion and transmission of Buddhist teaching. It is done by joining the tips of the thumb and the index together, and keeping the other fingers straight.

One-hand gestures

Bang bang

This gesture is performed by raising the fist with the index finger and thumb extended. The index finger points at the recipient. The thumb is then brought down on top of the fingers.

This imitation of the action of a revolver pistol is often meant to represent a handgun in children's games. It may also be used menacingly to mean, "I will kill you" or just playfully as a greeting. Often the middle finger is also extended to widen the 'barrel.' Texas Tech fans use the bang bang salute (fingers pointed upward) to cheer their team. Also, the "bang bang" performed with both hands was a signature gesture of professional wrestler Mick Foley while in his "Cactus Jack" persona.

Benediction and blessing

Benediction gesture, on a coin of Emperor Constantine.

The benediction gesture is a raised right hand with the ring and pinky fingers touching the palm, while the middle and index fingers remain raised. It is used as a simple charm or blessing amongst many modern Pagans, and has a vast array of uses. Perhaps the most common and/or noteworthy use of the gesture is while tracing an invisible "air pentagram" before someone during certain Wiccan rituals such as the Great Rite performed during Beltane and Drawing Down the Moon on the Esbats. One might also use the gesture to trace invisible pentagrams or other sigils over items to be blessed or empowered, such as holy water, ritual wine, ritual ale, or the Sacred Herb. The two extended fingers are used to point (except when an athame, wand, or sword is used).

A similar sign, 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. It was shown by representations of Jesus as Christ Pantocrator.

Biting one's thumb

Biting one's thumb was an old rude British gesture. It was a lot like "the Finger" (see below) in modern terms. In William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet, Sampson bites his thumb at the Montagues (Act 1, Scene 1).

Blah-blah

The fingers are kept straight and together in a horizontal fashion while the thumb is held out straight. The fingers and thumb then snap together repeatedly to suggest a mouth talking. It is used to indicate contempt for a person talking for an excessive period of time about nothing the gesturer feels is important.

Call me

This hand gesture is identical to the "shaka" gesture -- that is, pinky finger and thumb outstretched -- only it is held up to the ear, to signify a telephone.

Check, please

This gesture, understood by waiters around the world 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 wavy line in the air, as if to sign one's name. An alternate gesture with the same meaning is made by holding touching the index finger and thumb together and drawing a checkmark (✓) in the air. In Japan, the symbol to request a check is often made by crossing the two hands together in the shape of a T, which might be considered a sign for a time out in the United States. In Egypt, the left hand is held palm-out and the right, palm-down, is tapped against the left wrist to request the check. In Thailand, one makes a circling gesture with the thumb and fingers pinched together- as if you are holding and imaginary pencil and making imaginary scribbles on a piece of paper. Sometimes the opposite palm is used as the 'paper'. In the Philippines, one outlines a rectangle in the air using the thumb and forefinger of both hands.

Clenched fist

A raised, clenched fist is used as a gesture of defiance by a number of groups. It is usually considered to be hostile, yet without any sexual, scatological, or notionally offensive connotations. It is especially associated with Communists and with other nationalist or ethnic revolutionary or would-be revolutionary movements, and with the Black Power movements of the 1960s in the United States. It is the custom to make this gesture while singing The Internationale, the Marxist anthem.

Elder sign

The index, middle, and ring fingers fully extended with the thumb and pinky tucked together under the palm.

To Chaotes practicing Lovecraftian magick, this is also known as the Sign of the Elders.

With the palm facing outwards, and the fingers closed (without gaps) and the right hand's fingertips to the same side temple, it is used by the Boy scouts as their identifying salute.

It was also used by Bosnian Croats as a victory sign (for Trinity) during the Bosnian war.

In the United States, this is often used as a euphemism for the middle finger, when the back of the hand faces outwards. It is used especially when a jocular effect is desired. Originally, an accompanying verbal explanation was usual, "Read between the lines," but is now commonly omitted.

Fig sign*

The fig sign is the forming of a fist in such a way that one's thumb pokes out between the middle and index fingers, or, alternately, between the middle and ring fingers. This is also the letter "T" in the American Sign Language alphabet. In International Sign, which otherwise uses the same manual alphabet, "T" has been modified to be inoffensive.

Many modern Pagans use it as a symbol of the Mother Goddess that adherents might use to identify each other; in this context it is referred to as the Sign of the Goddess. Its counterpart is the horns sign below.

In many other cultures, such as Indonesia and Russia, it signifies "screw you" (resembles a clitoris). Also, carved images of hands in this gesture are used as good luck talismans in Brazil.

The gesture is also used in a trick played by adults and parents, with the intention of convincing their child that his or her nose has been ripped off. Someone (usually an adult) grabs at the child's nose and forms the fig sign exclaiming, "I've got your nose, I've got your nose!" The thumb, representing the clitoris in the previous meaning, is supposed to be the child's removed nose.

The middle finger*

Main article: the finger

This is a fist with the middle finger extended. It appears to be universally understood as fuck you due to its resemblance to the penis. It is certainly thousands of years old, being referred to in Ancient Roman literature as the digitus infamis or digitus impudicus. Performing this gesture is also called "flipping the bird" (see below).

When this gesture is made with the palm facing forward, its known to Chaotes practicing Lovecraftian magick as the Sign of Kish.

Flipping the bird*

In countries where "the finger" is used (see above), "flipping the bird" usually refers to that gesture. In other regions, "flipping the bird" refers to the raising of the middle and index finger with the back of the hand directed at the recipient. It can mean "Victory" (see below) in some countries (not to be mistaken for the "Peace" gesture, which is done with the palm facing the recipient of the gesture), but in Britain and some other countries it is an offensive gesture, equivalent to "the finger" (see above). Also see V sign.

Hang loose / shaka

Similar to American Sign Language letter "Y", this is where a fist is made with only the thumb and pinky finger extended.

It is often associated with California, Hawaii, and any beach/surfer culture in general.

The exact origin of the gesture is unknown however according to the Honolulu Star-Bulletin (http://starbulletin.com/2002/03/31/news/kokualine.html), the prevailing local lore credited the gesture to Kalili Hamana of Laie, who lost the three middle fingers of his right hand while working at the Kahuku Sugar Mill years ago. Hamana was then shifted to guarding the sugar train, and his all-clear wave of thumb and pinkie is said to have evolved over the years into the "shaka."

A second theory is that the "shaka" sign had to do with marble playing. The position of the hand after shooting the "kini" (marble) is in the form of shaka. The hand sign came to mean sharp or accurate.

A third theory is that the word was originally "shark eye". Holding the hand with the pinkie and thumb extended represented the shark head, with the thumb and fingers being the eyes. To say "shaka" (or "shark eye") to someone and flash the "shark eye" hand "was considered a compliment of sorts, like calling someone an eagle eye here on the mainland. Since sharks and eagles are both highly revered creatures by their respective native human cultures, this seems a highly plausible explanation."

In Spain, if the thumb points to the mouth, it means "drinking" since it is similar the shape of a porrón vessel.

In some countries, if the thumb points to the mouth it can also represent marijuana usage, in particular the use of a bong. This is usually accompanied by a sucking noise. In China, it is also the sign for the number 6.

Hook 'em Horns

George W. Bush gives the Hook 'em Horns salute to the Texas Longhorns marching band at his second inauguration.

Main article: Hook 'em Horns

In college sports in the United States, The "Hook 'em Horns" (or simply "Hook 'em") sign is associated with fans of the Texas Longhorns. The gesture is an imitation of the head of a Texas Longhorn, which serves as the school mascot. It was created in 1955 by a UT cheerleader and is one of the most famous hand symbols in US college sports.

Students, faculty, and alumni of the University of Texas are often seen to display this hand sign during sporting events, commencements, and other special occasions. They will often include the spoken or written phrase in conversations or writings, especially as a closing.

The Hook 'em Horns symbol is the same physically as the mano cornuto gesture. They both have their origins in the imitation of a type of livestock, the Longhorn on the one hand and a goat on the other, though their meanings are very different.

However a warning to all Texas Longhorn fans abroad. In Italy this salute, accompanied by a twisting of the wrist gesture, is considered an insult. It implies that the recipient's wife has been sleeping around. A group of American revelers were arrested in Rome (1985) after parading outside the Vatican liberally displaying the "Hook 'em Horns" after a major victory by the Texas Longhorns. The Pope was reported to be unimpressed by the Americans' behaviour (Pease, A et al., 2004, The Definitive Book of Body Language).

Horns*

Main article: Corna

Many modern Pagans use it as a symbol the Horned God that adherents might use to identify each other; in this context it is referred to as the Sign of the Horned God. Its counterpart is the fig sign above.

To Chaotes practicing Lovecraftian magick, it is called the Sign of Voor or the Voorish Sign.

Some say that it is meant to ward off – or to bestow – the evil eye. It is also a representation of the Devil by some Satanists. The gesture's origin is believed to be an imitation of the shape of a goats head, which has many associations with the concept of Satan in Christianity Satan's Goat

It has a variety of other meanings as well, depending on culture and area. In some places, it is a sexual insult, charging a man with being a victim of cuckoldry. Perhaps because of its occult significance, it is used as a salute by fans of heavy metal music. If one reverses the extended fingers, one gets the "inverted heavy metal salute" which can be given as a reply to a heavy metal salute, and combined together into a "heavy metal lock", intertwining the two hands thus presented. In addition, when this gesture used with the thumb extended and is positioned roughly horizontally, it is an imitation of Spider-Man's typical finger positioning when he fires one of his webshooters.

Knocking on wood

This signifies the neutralization of a jinxing brought on by either mentioning a hoped-for or feared result. Usually this is only valid if done on bare (ie. unpainted) wood. One possible reason for the tradition could have been from an animist culture who believed that the knocking would release spirits to protect them.

In Italy, one knocks on iron with the hand in the horns position.

Koth sign

The index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and pinky fully extended with the thumb tucked against the flat of the hand. To Chaotes practicing Lovecraftian magick it is known as the Sign of Koth.

Live long and prosper

Main article: Vulcan salute

The "live long and prosper" sign consists of the a raised hand, palm outward, fingers extended, with the index and middle finger kept close together, and the ring and pinky finger close together, with a 'V' shaped space between them, and the thumb sticking out alone.

This is associated with the phrase "Live long and prosper," and derives from Star Trek, where it is used as a salute by the fictional humanoid species of Vulcans. See also: Vulcan salute.

It was introduced by Leonard Nimoy in his character of Mr. Spock and is drawn directly from the benedictory gesture made with both hands by a Kohen (priest in Judaism, a descendant of Aaron) during the priestly blessing (Hebrew: Birkath Kohanim). The Kohanim recite a blessing while performing this "gesture", and the other congregant respond with Amens.

Also known as the "Spocker", in allusion to the Shocker.

A-ok*

This is the touching of the index and middle finger (or just index finger) with the thumb (forming a rough circle) with the raising of the remaining fingers. In the United States, it means "OK" and is inoffensive. In most other cultures it is a sexual or scatological gesture referring to the anus. The gesture is used extensively in scuba diving as part of underwater hand signaling.

It can also mean 0, or money in Japan.

Peace / "V" for Victory

Richard Nixon gives the V-sign one last time after resigning from the presidency.

Main article: V sign

This is the reverse side of "flipping the bird," made by lifting the middle and index finger with the palm of the hand facing the recipient (and the remaining fingers clenched). It was associated with the catchphrase "V" for Victory in World War II. In the 1960s, it came to be known as the "peace sign," the gestural equivalent of the peace symbol. It was associated with British prime minister Winston Churchill during World War II, and later, with U.S. president Richard Nixon. The sign also was famously misused by George H. W. Bush in Australia, where he intended to make the peace sign at protesters, but did it the "wrong way" causing great furor in the Australian tabloids. See also V sign.

Salute

There are many forms of salute gestures, which are used to denote respect or obedience for an authority. A common military hand salute consists of raising the right hand, held flat, to the right eyebrow. Scouting organizations use related salutes. The armies of various countries adopt slightly different forms of salute; in the United States, the military salute places the hand directed outward over the eyebrow, like a visor; in the United Kingdom armed forces, the hand is brought to the forehead palm outward.

The shocker*

Thumb and ring finger close inside palm while the rest of the fingers stay fully extended. It is a sign associated with a way of masturbating a woman: two fingers in the vagina (index and middle finger) and the pinky finger into the anus, or, as it is said, "Two in the pink, one in the stink."

Super Finger

A hand gesture created by the comedian, Dane Cook. It consists of raising the middle finger, ring finger, and thumb on the same hand while lowering (or curling) your pointer and pinky finger. It is an update on the finger meant to be a more powerful finger.

Thumbs up, thumbs down

Hand with thumb up

A closed fist held with the thumb extended upward or downward is a gesture of approval or disapproval respectively. These gestures have become metaphors in English: "My boss gave my proposal the thumbs-up" means that the boss approved the proposal, regardless of whether the gesture was made -- indeed, the gesture itself is unlikely in a business setting.

Pollice Verso by Jean-Léon Gérôme, 1872 is the immediate source of the "thumbs down" gesture in popular culture.

The source of the gesture is obscure. Though a favorite of Hollywood 'swords and sandals' 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. 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. Corbell 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. The current version was popularized by a widely reproduced academic painting by the 19th century artist Jean-Léon Gérôme, whose Pollice Verso depicts a triumphant gladiator standing over a fallen foe, looking up into the bleachers for the verdict of the crowd.

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." [1]

More recently, these gestures are associated with movie reviews, having been popularized by Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert in their televised reviews -- the thumb up meaning a positive opinion of a film; the thumb down meaning a negative one. One or two thumbs up, often held over the head, may also be used by athletes in celebration of a victory.

"'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, Russia, Iran, Greece, and Sardinia, according to Roger E. Axtell's book Gestures: The Do's and Taboos of Body Language Around the World."[2]

Additionally, supporters of Texas A&M University athletic teams use the thumbs-up sign, associated with the cheer, "Gig 'em, Aggies".

Wanker*

Wanker: A loose fist (with all fingers forming a cylindrical shape) is made, and shaken up and down (or sometimes, back and forth) at the wrist.

The gesture is imitative of the motions of male masturbation, which gives the gesture its meaning. The name for this gesture is a Britishism.

Two-hand gestures

Air quotes

Air quotes

See main article: Air quotes

Using one's fingers to make quotation marks in the air during speech. The practice of gesticulating punctuation is typically done with both hands held up, with the index and middle fingers on each hand curled down during the phrase being "quoted"; a common variant is to temporarily curl the fingers at the beginning and end of the phrase.

"Gills"

This gesture involves holding the backs of the wrists against the jawline (with elbows outstretched) and then waggling one's fingers. It is used when one would normally say (sarcastically) "well aren't you clever?". It is peculiar to Scotland owing to its use in a Scottish TV sketch show.

Italian elbow gesture*

This is performed in two parts: first, the right hand is placed in the elbow crook of the left arm. The left arm is then raised (fist clenched) at the victim in a smooth and continuous motion. This gesture is associated with Italians and is a considered a more theatrical and physically exuberant version of The Finger, and may even be combined with The Finger by Italian-Americans. In Italian it is known as the gesto dell'ombrello, meaning literally "the umbrella gesture." This gesture is also in use in France, where it is usually translated as va te faire foutre, still meaning "fuck off." In Spain and Portugal, it is a corte de mangas ("sleeve cut") and is done with the left hand on the right elbow, without the continuous motion.

The gesture above is known in Poland as Kozakiewicz's gesture (gest Kozakiewicza), after Polish pole vault jumper Władysław Kozakiewicz, who after winning the gold medal and beating the world record during the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow had shown this gesture to the Russian public at the stadium. The crowd supported Soviet jumper Volkov (who came second) and was booing and whistling during Kozakiewicz's performance. Angered Kozakiewicz, after securing the gold medal, showed said gesture to the stadium. He later beat the then world record by clearing 578 cm. It is worth noting that later the Russian ambassador in Poland demanded that Kozakiewicz should be stripped of his medal for this gesture. The official response of the Polish government was that this gesture was an involuntary muscle spasm caused by his exertion. The meaning of this gesture is slightly different from the one it has in Italy. Its meaning can be translated as Fuck off, I am the boss.

"T" for 'timeout'

The 'timeout' 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 was (and is) used where a brief pause in play is called for, to make substitutions etc. Nowadays the gesture is used in the US and in Britain to hush children, or calm participants in a heated argument. In Japan, the same gesture may be used to request the check when dining at a restaurant (see also Check, Please, above).

Hand with body gestures

Bowing, kneeling, kowtowing

A bow is a gesture of respect involving lowering the head, usually performed by a social inferior to a social superior. 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. Kneeling and "kowtowing" are more extreme or elaborate forms of self-abasement before a social superior.

Crossing oneself

Main article: Sign of the cross

The "sign of the Cross" is the use of the right hand to touch the forehead, chest, left shoulder, and right shoulder, consecutively. It represents the Christian cross. (A Roman Catholic crossing him/herself touches the forehead, chest, and their left, then right shoulders; an Eastern Orthodox Christian touches the right shoulder before the left.)

This gesture is used by Roman Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and some other Christian groups in prayers, to perform blessings, and as a salute before entering a church or similar place of religious significance. It is also used in various kinds of Christian folk religion to avert evil or bad luck.

Hand over heart

This gesture involves placing your right hand, palm outstretched and facing in, over your heart. Male hat or cap wearers typically remove their hats and hold them in this hand. 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.

My eye

In France and parts of Europe it is common to point your index finger at your eye and even pull the skin under the eye lightly down to emphasize the presenting of the eye. The gesture displays disbelief. In Japan, tugging at the eye is used as a childishly offensive gesture, or to indicate boredom.

Touched / screw loose

Tapping one's index finger against the head indicates that a person or an idea being discussed is insane or "touched in the head". A similar, more elaborate gesture uses a circling motion of the finger at the temple or side of the head. This signifies that the person is "mixed up" or "has a screw loose".

Nonsense

Performed by waving the palm of your hand in front of your face, it may be used to tell the other person that an idea he or she had was nonsense.

Loser

This gesture is performed by raising the index finger and thumb of your right hand perpendicular to each other so that they form the letter "L". It is then placed onto one's forehead. It signifies that the person that this gesture is directed to is a loser.

Cutthroat

This gesture is performed by drawing the hand, or a finger or two, across the throat. It represents slitting the throat with a knife, and means that the gesturer or someone else is (metaphorically!) "being killed". It is rarely if ever used literally to refer to death, though it is occasionally used as a theatrical threat ("I'm going to kill you"). It can also mean simply "Cut! Stop!" as in scissors sign.

Choking sign

The standard gesture to indicate that one is choking is to hold the throat as if strangling oneself. This is recognized as a request for immediate first aid for choking. The gesture is sometimes used metaphorically to refer to someone or something "choking" in the slang sense of failing at something, for instance at an athletic event.

Nose thumbing

For this gesture, also known as "cocking a snoot" or "cocking a snook", the thumb is placed on the tip of the nose, with the remaining fingers of the hand extended and waggled freely. This gesture is ended with a dramatic flicking of the thumb away from the end of the nose and towards the recipient. In the United States, it conveys a general message of contempt.

To add emphasis, the gesture can be made using both hands, connecting them by touching the little finger of the first hand with the thumb of the second, and waggling the remaining seven fingers. It is frequently accompanied in the United States by the utterance of a Bronx cheer, or by sticking out of the tongue.

Sieg Heil

Adolf Hitler is saluted with the Nazi salute.

Related articles: Roman salute, Bellamy salute, Hitler salute

This gesture is performed by extending the whole right arm, palm outstretched and facing down, upwards into the air at approximately a 45 degree angle from the ground. This gesture is associated with Nazism and its leader Adolf Hitler as well as with Germany during World War II. It is occasionally performed to mock someone or something for perceived authoritarianism or bigotry. This gesture was based on the Roman salute, and it was in that capacity that it was revived by Benito Mussolini's Fascist party; it is now tainted by its association with Nazism and Fascism. Today in some countries, mostly in Europe, it is forbidden by law to perform this gesture although that fact does not deter neo-Nazis and white supremacists from using the gesture in public rallies. It is considered by some to be a white version of the clenched fist of the black power movement of the 60's and 70's.

Body-only gestures

Eye-rolling

This is when a person moves their pupils to the top of their eyes to indicate condescension, contempt, boredom, or exasperation.

Mooning*

Mooning is the exposure of the buttocks towards a person or people. The mooner (usually male) opens his pants, turns around to face away from the target, and drops the pants while bending over. Mooning is a crude gesture of contempt or defiance.

"Pressed ham" is a variation of mooning made by pressing the naked buttocks against a window.

"Sausage and eggs", also known as "Hanging a Rat", is the reverse variation of the "pressed ham."

The "Fruit basket" is a variation in which the scrotum is tucked behind the legs so they are displayed along with the mooner's rump.

See also

• Kinesics
• Rock, Paper, Scissors, a game played with hand gestures
• Sign language
• Charades

External links

• Gestures From Around the World is a message board forum for people interested in Courtesy, Culture, Drawing, Gifts, Recognition, Software & Technology.
• Publications by Adam Kendon (field data, research techniques and theory of gesture and sign languages)
• Handspeak Sign languages, gestures, body languages, Baby Sign, International Sign, and more.

Further reading

• Kendon, Adam. editor, 1981. Nonverbal Communication, Interaction and Gesture: Selections from Semiotica (Vol.41, Approaches to Semiotics). The Hague: Mouton and Co. [Includes as an Introduction by Kendon an extended critical survey of methodological and theoretical issues in the field].
• Kendon, Adam. 1997. Gesture. Annual Review of Anthropology, 1997, 26: 109-128.
• Kendon, Adam. 2000. Gesture in Naples and Gesture in Classical Antiquity. An English translation, with an Introductory Essay and Notes of La mimica degli antichi investigata nel gestire Napoletano ('Gestural expression of the ancients in the light of neapolitan gesturing') by Andrea de Jorio (1832). Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press.
• Kendon, Adam. 2004. Gesture: Visible Action as Utterance.: Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.