What do certain gestures mean in different countries of the world

Language is the most common, but far from the only way of communication between people. But if people used only one word, their communication would be quite dry. But it's worth adding body language and gestures, as words immediately acquire an emotional color! At the same time, gestures can be very different — from simple gestures when communicating to special gestures that have a certain meaning. And what is noteworthy, in different countries, gestures known to us can have completely different meanings.

Read more about what and where gestures mean in our material.

In most countries, this gesture is used to indicate that "everything is fine", "OK". But there are countries where it has a completely different meaning. For example, in Brazil, this position of the fingers can be interpreted as an invitation to sexual intercourse, and as a passive partner. But in Turkey and on Cyprus denotes homosexuals with such a gesture.In Latin America, Belgium and France, the "OK" gesture is used to express irritation and rage. In Japan, this is a little easier — fingers folded into a "round" denote money, round coins.

The middle finger is usually shown when they want to insult someone or send "three funny letters". Moreover, this has been the case since ancient times: the Romans called this gesture "digitus impudicus" — "shameless", "shameful", the Greeks used it as a direct indication of the male sexual organ. The finger itself symbolized the penis, and the fingers clenched around it symbolized the seminal glands.Years later, this gesture has practically not lost its original meaning, but it has ceased to be too rude and obscene.

I bet you've seen this gesture more than once. It is often used by musicians, actors and even politicians! It is logical to assume that "shaka" does not mean anything bad… So it is! It's a simple greeting gesture that has its roots in Hawaiian culture. This greeting is especially common among surfers, divers and parachutists.But in In Russia, the "shaka" gesture — thumb and little finger sticking up — can mean "talking on the phone." In this case, the little finger should be directed downwards, and the hand should be leaned against the face. Also, with its help, you can demonstrate a desire to drink, if it is characteristic to overturn the brush, or smoke prohibited substances by holding your finger to your mouth.

A cookie or a double, as well as a "fac", has an offensive subtext. This arrangement of fingers imitates the naked head of the penis, and to show a cookie to someone means a desire to offend and humiliate an opponent. In the modern world, this gesture is used to demonstrate refusal. Only in Portugal uses this symbol as a means of protection against evil spirits and the evil eye.In most other countries, a "double" is a rude gesture denoting ridicule and contempt. In China, Japan and In Korea, with its help, prostitutes can lure customers, demonstrating that they are now free. In Turkey and many other Arab countries, it means a serious sexual insult. In Germany — an offer to have sex.

We are used to showing with this gesture that "everything is fine", "super", "excellent". But in America and Europe use it for a completely different purpose. With the help of a raised finger, cars are "caught" on local roads. And it is for hitchhiking, and not just to get home or to work. "Thumbs up" will let the driver know that you are asking him to give you a ride for free.In Iran, a raised finger is an analogue of a "faqa". In Turkey and Germany, it also has an offensive meaning, as it is a phallic symbol. In Saudi Arabia, raising your finger up and starting to rotate it means "telling" a person to "get out of here."

This common gesture is used as a symbol of victory. Pointing up the index and middle fingers imitate the Latin letter "V", and mean "V for Victory". However, in Australia and Britain, it is enough to turn the brush with the back side to a person, as this gesture will abruptly take on a different meaning — a rude demand to be silent.

Once this gesture was also designated "Vietnam" — hippies showed it with a demand to stop the war. That is why in the modern world "Victoria" is also called a symbol of pacifism.

The symbol, common among rock musicians, actually has a deep sacred meaning. The little finger raised up is associated with Mercury, and the index finger is associated with Jupiter. These are the gods of the sky, daylight and thunderstorms, patrons of trade and enrichment. Demonstrating this symbol, people asked them for help and protection. In Asia and Europe, it has been used for many years as a protection against evil spirits.In Russia, this gesture is often threatening. The fact is that in prison culture, the "goat" is used as a threat to "gouge out the eyes" of an opponent. To heighten the effect, the little finger and index finger should be directed towards the interlocutor.

The crossed index and middle fingers are usually used to "summon" good luck.  According to legends, this symbol is able to summon good spirits who grant wishes. In the modern world, it also means the hope for a positive outcome of a case - "at least be lucky," etc.However, if you show this gesture in Vietnam, the locals will misunderstand you. The fact is that here the crossed index and middle fingers denote ... the female genital organ.