What does a thumbs up mean for Muslims? The “three fingers up” gesture: why it is shown, what it means

Yokamon! Good afternoon dear readers, today I decided to touch on a very interesting topic on my blog. Let's talk about what the gesture “Thumb and little finger protruding in different directions” means. Do you believe in the existence of sign language? How often do movements of the hands and the formation of certain figures replace familiar vocabulary? Do you know what the thumbs up and pinky sign means and when it is appropriate to use it?

Are you aware that this gesture should not be done in the Caribbean? Read on, the most interesting things will come next.

One gesture on many continents

This strange gesture, called "Shaka", is often used by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes and grappling wrestlers.

The gesture, when the thumb and little finger are protruded and the rest are pressed against the palm, can be seen not only among wrestlers, but also among people from the world of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Today it is often used by ordinary people, and on different continents it can be deciphered and understood differently. For example,

• if we take the American sign system as a basis, this means the letter U,
• in China - number 6,
• and in our country this gesture symbolizes a telephone call, if a person puts his thumb to his ear,
• or an offer to take drugs if you put it to your lips,
• if your hands are located at stomach level, the interlocutor is offering you alcohol.

According to many sources, this sign is most often used when greeting, along with it, they mainly pronounce the words “Shaka, brah!” The islanders seem to be asking people to relax, take their time, and remember that life is wonderful and everything will always be fine. In Hawaii, everyone uses this gesture: athletes and even politicians. Apart from greeting, "Shaka" is also used to express your gratitude and if you want to say goodbye.

By the way, the “Shaka” gesture is used in the film “Secret Soldiers of Benghazi”. The film was shot this year. If you can uncritically experience the heroism of the American soldier and can watch Hollywood portray the East in film, I see no reason why you wouldn't like Michael Bay's new film.

Putting aside the electronic world, the director, with identical pomp, shot the project much better, and we must admit that he did it very well. If you don’t have anything to do in the evening, watch this movie and write in the comments what this gesture meant in the last minutes.

Where did the gesture come from?

After viewing the picture, I became curious, how did this sign come into use? Who started showing it first? Why don't they use the index finger instead of the little finger? According to the first two versions that I was able to find, "Shaka" is associated with an ordinary guy Kalil Haman, who worked in the last century in Hawaii.

One day he had an accident, as a result he lost all the fingers on his hand except the thumb and little finger. Many people believe that the guy always said hello with his right hand, and people only saw two fingers. This gesture was liked by the local guys, who began to greet in the same way. A few years later, the gesture spread throughout the island; by the way, almost all local residents are confident that this version is the most truthful.

Second version

The gesture became popular after Haman got a job guarding trains that carried sugar. An accident happened to him at his previous job. He had to inspect the trains and drop off the children who were constantly trying to ride them. After the inspection, the guy raised his hand, thereby showing the driver that he could move on and everything was fine.

Another version of "Shaka" is associated with

According to legend, a shark attacked a surfer, but he managed to escape, losing three of his fingers. The guy never gave up surfing and greeted his friends with his right hand, using this very gesture.

There are sources where it is written that “Shaka” was used by labor immigrants as an invitation to drink a glass of beer or something stronger after a hard day of work.

It’s interesting how meaningful a simple sign can be; many people probably don’t even think about what they are showing when they simply randomly cross two fingers. After reading the forums, I realized that our people perceive “Shaka” differently.

What does protruding thumb and little finger mean?

1. I'm a rocker
2. Goat, gore, gore.
3. Sexual act. By the way, this is why I wrote earlier that it is better not to show it on the Caribbean Islands unless you are specifically talking about intimacy. If you point your little finger at a girl with your thumb sticking out, she may take it as an insult and file a police complaint against you for harassment.
4. Hard bass dance.
5. Nike brand.
6. Relax, take it easy.
7. Among the mercenaries it means "Jumbo" - in other words, this is their Code.

Do you know what this or other gestures mean? Well, for example, a two-finger gesture in the form of the letter B? Or, for example, what does the tongue gesture between two fingers mean? Share your guesses in the comments.

Two finger gesture in the form of the letter B

From historical articles it became known that during the Hundred Years Wars, the French had a couple of fingers cut off, which they used to draw a bow. And those who had all their fingers in place mocked their enemies and showed “V”.

Even today this gesture is prohibited in France. And also almost all of Europe and England do not recognize it. For example, approximately 7 years ago, Barry Ferguson and Alan McGregor were expelled from their football teams for displaying "V".

The second meaning of this sign is “Victory”. It was used by Winston Churchill himself during World War II. He made the "V" sign popular and in his understanding it meant victory, but in this case the palm had to be turned back to the public. Many countries perceive this sign as a simple demonstration of the number "2".

Gesture "Goat"

In Russia, this gesture is called “horns”, “raspaltsovka” or “korn” and everyone interprets it in their own way. In Central Europe in medieval times it was used to protect against the evil eye (as if you had a bullet in your pocket). This sign can be found mentioned in many books, it is even depicted in paintings. The frontman of Black Sabbath has made this gesture the most important in his life: now at a concert of various musical genres, he shows “Horns” as if approving the group. But there is no need to show this gesture to an Italian man or woman. In this country it means someone who has been cuckolded. So try not to show Heavy Metal in this country.

Do I use gestures when communicating with friends? Probably more often no than yes. We are all different, and everyone has their own perception of the world, I may offend someone, on the contrary, I will flirt with someone, although I did not even intend to do this. It's better to use words instead of gestures. But I’m sure that at a Korn concert the “Shaka” or “Goat” gesture will be more than appropriate.

Share your thoughts in the comments. It will be very interesting to read. And don't forget to subscribe to. All the best and see you soon!

Text— Agent Q.

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On Wahhabi resources you can often read demagoguery about the “Shiite idol-alama,” that is, the symbol of the hand that is used in Shiite ceremonies, especially in everything related to mourning for Imam Hussein (A).

"Alam" looks like this:

That is, it is a hand with an open palm, which symbolizes the severed hands of Abulfazl Abbas - the hero of Karbala and brother of Imam Hussein (A). According to another interpretation, five fingers of the hand mean five " ashabi l-kisa" - "people under the cloak", purified by complete purification (Muhammad, Fatima, Ali, Hasan and Hussein, peace be upon them).

In one of the Wahhabi articles we read the following: “The word “alam” is derived from the Turkic al (əl) - “hand”. Alam became widespread among Azerbaijani Turks during the reign of the Shiite Safavid dynasty. Some Shiite preachers present the name alam as a derivative of the Arabic علامة “alamyat”, which means “symbol” or “sign”. Based on the fact that Alam is used as a symbol in Shiism, this version at first glance looks plausible, but this is not true, since among the Shiite Arabs themselves, Alam is not called “Alamyat”, but is called the “Palm of Abbas” or “Hand of Fatima” “As for the word (ألم) “alaam” itself, in Arabic it does not mean “symbol” or “sign”, but means “pain” or “suffering.”

In fact, “Alam” comes from the Arabic “Alam” (علم) with “Ayn”, which means “flag”, “banner” (in Farsi it will be the same). This origin of the name is obvious, since the alam is used as a banner in mourning ceremonies.

“The origin of the alam is connected both with the ancient lunar goddess of the Phoenicians Tanit, whom the ancient Phoenicians considered the patroness of the city of Carthage, her symbol was the image of an open right palm, and with Buddhism, where the alam is a universal sign of protection. Alam is used by Buddhists as a symbol and a protective amulet, which they resort to against the evil eye and damage, is called the “Hand of Buddha”. It occupies a special place in the Dharmachakra - the Buddha's mudra of teaching and protection. In addition, Alam is widely used in Judaism, although it is known that the Jews borrowed it from the ancient Phoenicians. It is worth noting that in Judaism alam is called “khamsa” (in Hebrew חמסה), and “khamsa”, in turn, in the languages ​​of the Semitic group means “five”, in modern Hebrew - “hamisha”.

Thanks to the Wahhabis for the excursion into the history of religions: along with the “lunar goddess of the Phoenicians Tanit” and “Dharmachakra” they could also mention the Aztecs and Incas, who also had a similar symbol, despite being separated from the Shiites by thousands of kilometers of ocean.

In fact, everything here is much more prosaic: people in all places and at all times tend to use approximately similar symbols, the set of which is quite limited. Since the palm, as they say, is “always at hand,” many religions used it in their symbolism, and this does not say anything about any borrowing.

Otherwise, we would have to accuse the “Salafis” themselves of idolatry because of their beloved finger, which is demonstrated in all forms and angles. However, the index finger extended upward is one of the main symbols of Freemasonry, which, in turn, borrowed it from ancient pagan religions, where this finger symbolized a person’s connection with “higher powers.” Also, in black magic rituals, Satan is often depicted with his finger raised up, as can be seen in the photo below.

From a book on Masonic symbols - an extended index finger:

Statue of George Washington - the first American Freemason President:

Position of the statue figure in the Satan pose:

Worship of Satan, sitting with his index finger raised up:

Raised Buddha finger:

Plato's raised finger in Raphael's painting. Symbolizes pagan wisdom and magical connection with higher powers :

Raised finger in the Papal Sinkstine Chapel:

Isn't it similar?

Of course, “Salafis” will say that the raised finger only symbolizes monotheism (that God is one) and has only an external resemblance to Masonic and other fingers. But in the same way we will say that the alam symbolizes the hands of Abbas and has a purely formal similarity with the symbols of the palms used in other religions.

Or let's take another common symbol, which many consider inextricably linked with Islam - crescent . The crescent moon is not used by Shiites and occurs only among Ahlu Sunna wal Jama'ah, who borrowed it from Christians, who, in turn, from pagan religions. There are no hadiths about the crescent symbol, nor evidence of its use in the first centuries of Islam.

So, “bidaat”, “idol”, “pagan sign”? Call it what you want, if you want, like the Wahhabis, to practice demagoguery:

The crescent was printed on the coins of the pagan Turkic Khaganate, then it was a symbol of the Persian Sassanid Empire and the coat of arms of the city of Constantinople, the capital of the Christian empire. Most likely, it was after the conquest of Constantinople by the Sunni Turks that the crescent entered Sunni Islam and became its symbol.

Crescent on the royal winged crown of the Sassanids:

And if you want to show off your erudition, you can mention the crescent moon in the iconography of Hinduism - Shiva wears it in his hair:

In Egypt, the solar disk with the horned Moon, or located between the horns of a bull (cow), meant the divine unity of two in one, common solar-lunar gods and the secret marriage of divine couples.

Among the ancient Sumerians, the crescent moon was an attribute of the Babylonian moon god Sin - the ship on which he sailed across the vast expanses of space.

Crescent on an ancient Sumerian coin:

Here the king dedicates his daughter to the goddess. The crescent symbolizes the god Sin, the sun symbolizes the sun god Shamash:

In most cases, a person supplements his speech with gestures. Often we make movements involuntarily, that is, without thinking about their meaning. In addition, using gestures, you can find out information of interest from a foreign citizen, for example, while traveling. In this article we will look at what popular finger gestures mean.

Gesture meanings

Victoria

The V-shape is made with the index and middle fingers. The sign means "peace" and "victory". However, in a number of countries (Great Britain, Ireland, Australia) the gesture is offensive if the palm is facing towards the person.

Muntz

A gesture in the form of an outstretched palm. Usually means a request to stop.

In Greece this gesture is considered offensive.

OK

A gesture in the form of a ring, which is formed by connecting the index and thumb, means “everything is okay.”

In the capital of Italy, the sign means "worthless." And in Japan the gesture means “money”.

Thumbs up and down

Thumbs up means agreement and approval. The sign is often used when hitchhiking to catch a car.

In Thailand, this gesture is a sign of condemnation. And in Iran, giving a thumbs up is considered an offensive gesture.

If the thumb is pointing down, then this sign has the meaning of disapproval.

Forefinger

The index finger is used for one or another gesture depending on the situation. For example, if you put a finger to your lips, the sign will mean “silence.”

If the finger is raised up, it means “attention” or “stop”.

If the interlocutor shakes his index finger from side to side, it means he does not agree with what was said. A slightly inclined swinging finger is used when teaching (for example, when scolding children).

If you twirl your finger at your temple, you recognize your interlocutor as “crazy.”

Middle finger

The extended middle finger is an offensive gesture in many countries. The sign can be replaced with a less crude fig.

Fig

Or in other words, fig - a gesture in the form of a fist, where the thumb is inserted between the index and middle fingers. Used in cases of disagreement with the interlocutor. "Rejection" also has the meaning.

Another sign is often used as “protection” from the evil eye.

In South America, the gesture is considered friendly and is used to wish good luck.

Crossing your fingers

In many countries, crossing the index and middle fingers is used to attract good luck.

In Vietnam, this sign has an offensive meaning.

Goat

A popular sign among rock musicians, which looks like a raised index finger and little finger.

In Russia, this gesture is used to entertain young children, associating the sign with a “horned goat.”

However, in some European countries, including America, the sign means “cuckold.”

In Colombia, this sign is shown when people want to wish them good luck.

Shaka

Type of gesture - raised thumb and little finger. Often the gesture means "telephone receiver" and is shown when a person asks to call him.

In Hawaii, the gesture is a sign of greeting. And among drug addicts, the sign means “smoke.”

Spire

The gesture looks like joined fingertips. Confident people use it. Usually the sign is used by people who are more inclined to talk than to gesture.

Often the speaker places the spire with his fingers up, and the listener, on the contrary, points down.

Closed thumb and index fingers

This gesture is used when it is necessary to draw attention to something. A sign often complements speech. The narrator at this moment wants the listener to understand the essence of his words.

Rubbing the tips of others with your thumb

In this case, the gesture means "money".

Sometimes a sign is used when trying to remember an event or word. If the result is positive, the sign changes to a click.

You may be interested in our articles.

What is this thumbs up symbol?

It is clear that the meaning of the symbol depends on which country and which finger is used. And here there are a great many options: from greetings and approval to indecent analogies.

1. For Muslims, the index finger of the right hand raised up is a symbol of the proclamation of monotheism, that is, translated into Russian it means: “There is no God but Allah!”
2. In Germany, this gesture says: “Everything is fine.”
3. In Slavic countries, a raised index finger means a call for attention from others, and in American schools, students thus ask the teacher for permission to answer a question.
4. If during a conversation you raise your index finger up and shake it from side to side, then the interlocutor of almost any nationality will understand this as a refusal of what was proposed or an unwillingness to discuss the topic.

What are we talking about when we raise our thumbs up?

The symbol - the index and thumb connected with the rest raised up, means in America and most European countries: “Everything is fine!” But in Brazil and Turkey such a gesture will be perceived as an insult.

A resident of Holland, inviting you to a friendly drinking session, will raise his little finger up and his thumb to the side. This is where you probably want to respond to him with the gesture described above. Still: “Everything is great”! And a Frenchman can raise his little finger in response, which will mean: “Leave me alone!”

If someone raises their thumb up, the symbol hardly needs any special decoding - it is a sign of wishes for good luck, recognition that everything is going as it should, agreement with the proposed program of action, etc.

True, in Turkey and Arab countries such a gesture is a phallic symbol, and in Greece it is a demand: “Shut up!”

Most common symbol

Thumbs up in other cases too. The truth is not one, but two: we are talking about the V-shaped sign with the index and middle fingers, known in European countries.

It was introduced during the Second World War by Winston Churchill to signify victory, and since then the gesture has become very popular. True, for the English, one nuance is important in it: which side is the palm facing the speaker at that moment. If it is from the back, then it is: “victory”, but if it is with the palm, then its interpretation becomes offensive.

Another gesture is no less popular: “goat”. We are talking about the index finger and little finger raised up. In the CIS this is a notorious “rocker” symbol. A thumbs up is raised in a similar way as a sign of superiority over someone, a desire to humiliate him. Although in mystical rituals this sign is protection from dark forces.

Why do Muslims always show their index finger up? What does this gesture mean?

Alla ㋛ ♠♣♦

The raised finger of the right hand is a symbol of the proclamation of monotheism among Muslims) by the way, for those who profess Islam, the left hand is considered “unclean”. Therefore, if you offer a gift or money with your left hand, you may offend a Muslim.)

Evgeny Ardynsky, is your god Jesus? You don’t even know who your God is, how can you call everything else evil!?
The central figure for Christian worship is the Son of God - Jesus
Christ (hence the name “Christians”).
It is through him that Christians come
to God the Father. God the Father is the one image of God for Christians, Jews and Muslims.

They heard a ringing, but they don’t know where it came from! Among Wahhabis, a common sign is the index finger extended upward. According to the naive ideas of the “Salafis”, this sign should demonstrate their commitment to monotheism - after all, God is one, like a finger. Wahhabis love to pose in photos with such a “finger,” thereby wanting to show their “monotheism.” However, there are no hadiths that speak of such a finger as a symbol of Islam or monotheism.
Where did this gesture come from?
The fact is that the index finger extended upward is one of the main symbols of Freemasonry, which, in turn, borrowed it from ancient pagan religions, where this finger symbolized a person’s connection with “higher powers” ​​(that is, Satan).
Also, in black magic rituals, Satan himself is usually depicted with his finger raised up, as can be seen in the photo below.
Thus, since Wahhabism was an invention of the English Freemasonry, someone introduced this sign into it so that the “Salafis” would bear the satanic mark on themselves.

What does it mean ☝☝☝ this index finger up?

A raised index finger in Germany means “wonderful,” but a French waitress will mistake this gesture for ordering one glass of wine.
There are differences in the gestures of different peoples.
A raised index finger in Germany means “wonderful,” but a French waitress will mistake this gesture for ordering one glass of wine.
Two fingers raised up means:
in Germany - victory
in France - peace
in the UK – 2
in Greece - go to hell, damn it.
Five fingers raised up have the meaning:
in Western countries – 5
everywhere - stop!
in Turkey - go away
in other countries - believe me, I'm telling the truth!
Raised little finger and index finger:
in the Mediterranean - your wife is cheating on you
in Malta and Italy - a sign that protects against danger and the evil eye
Raised index finger and thumb:
in Europe – 2
in the UK - 1
in the USA - please serve me, bring the bill
in Japan it is an insult.
Raised little finger:
in France - leave me alone!
in Japan - woman
in Mediterranean countries - sexual innuendo
Thumbs up:
in Europe – 1
in Greece - swear word
in Japan – man, 5
in other countries - beautifully done, good, a sign to stop traffic on the road.
The index finger and thumb are connected; the other fingers are raised up:
in Europe and North America - good, great
in the Mediterranean, Russia, Brazil, Turkey - swearing, sexual insult,
in Tunisia, France – 0
The little finger raised up and the finger pointed to the side:
in Holland - how about having a drink?
in Hawaii - no panic! Calm down!

Index finger up on the right hand. What does this mean?

★ஐ✽ นңңα ✽ஐ★

Gestures made from combinations of fingers in different cultures have very different meanings. So, for example, the “thumbs up” symbol can speak both of a decision to pardon the vanquished (a famous gesture during the fight of Roman gladiators), and of a common request for a ride, to take a fellow traveler (hitchhiking), if we are talking about a thumb raised up by the road somewhere in America. The index finger carries other information. Let's take a closer look.
What is this thumbs up symbol?

It is clear that the meaning of the symbol depends on which country and which finger is used. And here there are a great many options: from greetings and approval to indecent analogies.
1. For Muslims, the index finger of the right hand raised up is a symbol of the proclamation of monotheism, that is, translated into Russian it means: “There is no God but Allah!”
2. In Germany, this gesture says: “Everything is fine.”
3. In Slavic countries, the index finger raised up means a call for the attention of others, and in American schools, students thus ask the teacher for permission to answer a question.
4. If during a conversation you raise your index finger up and shake it from side to side, then the interlocutor of almost any nationality will understand this as a refusal of what was proposed or an unwillingness to discuss the topic.
What does the thumbs up symbol mean?

When you travel abroad and do not know the language of the country you are visiting, sign language often comes to the rescue.

You can use it to hail a taxi, buy groceries in a store, or ask for directions.

However, sometimes translation difficulties arise even with gestures that are familiar to us, which have completely different meanings in other parts of the world.

Here are 10 common gestures that may seem rude abroad.

1. Two-finger gesture "Victory"

The "Victoria" gesture, which is made with the index and middle finger of the hand in the shape of the letter V, in many countries means victory or peace. However, if the palm is facing the person, then in Great Britain, Ireland and Australia the V-shaped gesture takes on an offensive gesture, which is non-verbal equivalent to the phrase "fuck off!".

2. Gestures with palms ("muntsa")

The outstretched palm, often used to say "stop", takes on a different meaning in Greece. Palms directed towards the interlocutor, called “muntsa”, are an offensive gesture that is used when they want express extreme indignation or roughly speaking, “send” the interlocutor.

This gesture remains from Byzantine times, when smoke was smeared on the face of a criminal to make him an object of ridicule.

3. Thumbs up gesture

This gesture of agreement and approval often erases language barriers, and hitchhikers often use it on the road. However, in Thailand it is a sign of condemnation. Although the gesture itself is rather childish, like sticking out your tongue, it should be avoided. In Iran, this is an offensive gesture, the equivalent of which is the extended middle finger.

4. Alluring gesture with index finger

The beckoning sign with the index finger saying "come to me" is taboo in Asian countries. In the Philippines, this gesture only suitable for dogs and says that you consider the interlocutor below you. In addition, using this gesture can lead to arrest in this country.

5. Patting the head

Patting a child's head is usually a gesture of friendliness and affection. However, in the Buddhist religion, the crown is the highest point of the body, that is, the place where the soul resides. Touching the top of the head is aggressive invasion into the space of a child or an adult. This gesture should be avoided in countries where the majority of people profess the Buddhist religion.

6. Gesture "Okay"

Ring of thumb and index finger "OK", meaning "everything is in order!" or "correctly", in France means "zero" or "worthless". In Greece and Turkey, this gesture is very vulgar, meaning a similar hole in the human body or serves hint of homosexuality. In some Middle Eastern countries, such as Kuwait, "OK" means evil eye.

7. Gesture "Fig"

The gesture “fig”, “shish” or “kukish” is not entirely harmless in nature, and is often used in cases of refusal or disagreement. In Brazil it is a more benevolent gesture used to good luck wishes and protection from the evil eye. In Turkey it has an aggressive and rude character, the equivalent of which is the middle finger.

8. Left hand gesture

In many countries, people do not pay attention to which hand they use to offer something to other people. However, in India, Sri Lanka, Africa and the Middle East, the left hand considered "dirty", intended for wiping in the toilet. Even a left-handed person should eat with his right hand, since only it is considered suitable for eating. The same applies to shaking hands and passing objects.

In Japan, giving with both hands is considered polite, while a one-handed gesture can imply disdain.

9. Crossing your fingers

In many Western countries, people cross their index and middle fingers for good luck or to ward off the evil eye. In Vietnam, this gesture is offensive, especially if you are watching or directing it at another person. It is believed that fingers crossed represent female genital organs.

10. Gesture "Goat"

The “Goat” gesture, or as it is also called “horns”, “fingers” or “corns”, is often used by musicians and their fans. However, you should not show this gesture in Italy, especially to a man, as it hints at his wife's infidelity("cuckold").

Bonus: obscene "middle finger" gesture

This is the most famous and recognizable obscene gesture in the whole world, which in English corresponds to the curse word "Fuck You" ("fuck you...!"). In addition, it is one of the most ancient gestures, which used by the ancient Greeks and Romans, as well as by monkeys.

Roughly speaking, raised middle finger symbolizes the phallus, and the pressed fingers - the scrotum. By showing it, you seem to be offering the other person a “male genital organ” or rudely refusing the request. Also analogous to this gesture is elbow gesture when the left hand is placed in the crook of the right hand.

In Asian countries, however, the middle finger is sometimes used to point at something.