List of gestures

Single handed

• A-OK or Okay, made by connecting the thumb and forefinger in a circle and holding the other fingers straight, usually signal the word okay. It is considered obscene in Brazil and Turkey, being similar to the Western extended middle finger with the back of the hand towards the recipient. It is also an insult in parts of Europe, meaning anal sex, to imply the rudeness or arrogance of the recipient, often used when driving with the thumb and index finger separated to infer "small penis". In more recent history, it is sometimes associated with the racist theory of white power, which started as a prank meme on 4chan. In Japanese culture a way of requesting money or payment uses a similar hand sign, with the palm facing upwards and the three extended fingers level.
• Abhayamudra is a Hindu mudra or gesture of reassurance and safety.
• Apology hand gesture is a Hindu custom to apologize in the form of a hand gesture with the right hand when a person's foot accidentally touches a book or any written material, money or another person's leg. The offending person first touches the object with the fingertips and then the forehead and/or chest.
• Beckoning sign. In North America or Northern Europe, a beckoning sign is made with the index finger sticking out of the clenched fist, palm facing the gesturer. The finger moves repeatedly towards the gesturer as to draw something nearer. It has the general meaning of "come here". It can also be done with the palm upwards so the finger points directly at the target. In Northern Africa, calling someone is done using the full hand. In several Asian and European countries, a beckoning sign is made with a scratching motion with all four fingers and with the palm down. In Japan and other countries in the far-east cultural area, the palm faces the recipient with the hand at head's height. If reversed, it's considered rude.
• Bellamy salute was used in conjunction with the American Pledge of Allegiance prior to World War II.
• Bent index finger. This is a gesture that means 'dead' in Chinese culture.
• Hand of benediction and blessing. The benediction gesture is a raised right hand with the ring finger and little finger touching the palm, while the middle and index fingers remain raised. Taken from Ancient Roman iconography for speaking, often 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 — the three raised fingers are frequently allegorically interpreted as representing the three Persons of the Holy Trinity. The hand's shape is said to partially spell the name of Jesus Christ in Greek.
• Not allowed. The point finger pointed upwards, whilst wagging the point from left to right, the hand around the chin level below the mouth.
• Blah-blah. The fingers are kept straight and together, held horizontal or upwards and bending at the lowest knuckles, while the thumb points downwards. The fingers and thumb then snap together repeatedly to mimic a mouth talking. The gesture can be used to indicate that someone talks too much, gossips, is saying nothing of any consequence, or is boring.
• Check, please. This gesture, used 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 checkmark, circle, or wavy line in the air.
• Chinese number gestures are a method of using one hand to signify the natural numbers one through ten.
• Clenched fist is used as a gesture of defiance or solidarity. Facing the signer, it threatens physical violence.
• Clinton thumb. The gesture dubbed the "Clinton thumb" after one of its most famous users, Bill Clinton, is used by politicians to provide emphasis in speeches. This gesture has the thumb leaning against the thumb-side portion of the index finger, which is part of a closed fist, or slightly projecting from the fist. An emphatic, it does not exhibit the anger of the clenched fist or pointing finger, and so is thought to be less threatening. This gesture was likely adopted by Clinton from John F. Kennedy, who can be seen using it in many speeches and images from his political career.
• Crossed fingers are used superstitiously to wish for good luck or to nullify a promise.
• Cuckoo sign, touched or screw loose. In North America, making a circling motion of the index finger at the ear or temple signifies that the person "has a screw loose", i.e. is speaking nonsense or is crazy.
• Cuckold's horns are traditionally placed behind an unwitting man to insult him and represent that his wife is unfaithful. It is made with the index and middle fingers spread by a person standing behind the one being insulted. In modern culture as bunny ears "the actual symbolism has been forgotten and only the offence remains".
• Dismissive hand wave: this is gesture in which a person waves their hand or flicks their wrist outward, usually palm facing away from the body, as if brushing something aside. It is commonly used to signal dismissal, rejection, or telling someone to “go away.” In this sense, it conveys impatience or disdain, and is often understood as a nonverbal equivalent of saying “forget it” or “leave.” In English, this gesture is associated with phrases such as “wave someone away” or “wave off,” both of which carry dismissive connotations. Cultural variations exist: in some societies, the gesture may be interpreted as playful or casual, while in others it can be considered rude. In the context of African-American church and gospel music culture, the same motion can carry a positive meaning. Congregants may wave their hand as if to say “stop” or “go away,” not as a rejection of the performer but as an affirmation that the music is overwhelmingly powerful or spiritually moving. This usage is a form of nonverbal praise and part of the broader call-and-response tradition in Black worship, similar to shouting “Amen!” or standing in response to a sermon or song.
• Eyelid pull, where one forefinger is used to pull the lower eyelid further down, and signifies alertness.

• Fig sign is a gesture made with the hand and fingers curled and the thumb thrust between the middle and index fingers, or, rarely, the middle and ring fingers, forming the fist so that the thumb partly pokes out. In some areas of the world, the gesture is considered a good luck charm; in others, it is considered an obscene gesture. The precise origin of the gesture is unknown, but many historians speculate that it refers to a penis penetrating the vagina. In ancient Greece, this gesture was a fertility and good luck charm designed to ward off evil. This usage has survived in Portugal and Brazil, where carved images of hands in this gesture are used in good luck talismans.
• The finger, an extended middle finger with the back of the hand towards the recipient, is an obscene hand gesture used in much of Western culture.
• Finger counting is a system to indicate numbers using fingers on one or two hands. Different areas differ in the initial finger used for the number one as well as the zero symbol and highest possible number.
• Finger gun is a hand gesture in which the subject uses their hand to mimic a handgun. If pointed to oneself, it may indicate boredom or awkwardness in the sense of wanting to commit suicide; when pointed to another, it is interpreted as a threat of violence, either genuine or in jest. Between friends, a finger gun can be a sign of acknowledgement similar to a head nod and hello. Simultaneous finger guns with both hands can also be used to underscore the punchline of a joke, something of a visual equivalent to a "rimshot" sound effect.
• Finger heart is a hand gesture in which the subject has a palm up fist, raises their index finger and brings their thumb over it so as to form a small heart shape. It signals a similar gesture to that of the two-handed heart. It originates from South Korean culture and was used by athletes during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Games. This gesture is a bit similar to money gesture, but without middle finger and not rubbing repeatedly to the thumb.
• Fist bump is similar to a handshake or high five which may be used as a symbol of respect.
• Fist pump is a celebratory gesture in which a closed fist is raised before the torso and subsequently drawn down in a vigorous, swift motion.
• Grey Wolf salute is a fist with the little finger and index finger raised, depicting head of a wolf. Originally used by the Gagauz as a gesture of salutation and victory, the gesture was later adopted by the Grey Wolves and is associated with Turkish nationalism.
• Handshake is a greeting ritual in which two people grasp each other's hands and may move their grasped hands up and down.
• High five is a celebratory ritual in which two people simultaneously raise one hand and then slap these hands together.
• Hitchhiking gestures including sticking one thumb upward, especially in North America, or pointing an index finger toward the road, to request a ride in an automobile.
• Horn sign is a hand gesture made by extending the index and little finger straight upward. It has a vulgar meaning in some Mediterranean Basin countries like Italy and is used in rock and roll, especially in heavy metal music called "devil's horns", often used with the tongue extended downward.
• ILY sign combines the letters 'I', 'L', and 'Y' from American Sign Language by extending the thumb, index finger, and little finger while the middle and ring finger touch the palm. It is an informal expression of love.
• Knocking on wood is a superstitious gesture used to ensure that a good thing will continue to occur after it has been acknowledged. However, it is sometimes used after speaking of a plausible unfortunate event, so that it does not actually occur.
• Kodály hand signs are a series of visual aids used during singing lessons in the Kodály method.
• Loser, made by extending the thumb and forefinger to resemble the shape of an L on the forehead is an insulting gesture.
• Mano pantea, which is a traditional way to ward off the evil eye, is made by raising the right hand with the palm out and folding the pinky and ring finger. An amulet was found in Pompeii.
• The money gesture, more commonly known as the "Pay Me" gesture, is signalled by repeatedly rubbing one's thumb over the tip of the index finger and middle finger. This gesture resembles the act of rubbing coins or bills together and is generally used when speaking about money.
• Moutza is a traditional insult gesture in Greece made by extending all five fingers and presenting the palm or palms toward the person being insulted.
• Nazi salute or Fascist salute was used in Germany and Italy during World War II to indicate loyalty to Adolf Hitler or Benito Mussolini and their respective parties. The right arm is raised in a straight diagonal position forward with the palm open facing downward. It was also used during Spanish State to indicate loyalty to Francisco Franco and in Greece for Ioannis Metaxas.
• Outstretched hand is a near-universal gesture for begging or requesting, extending beyond human cultures and into other primate species. This gesture can also be done with both hands to form a bowl. See also Origin of language.
• Pointing with index finger may be used to indicate an item or person.
• * A pointing index finger raised upwards is used in Islam as an affirming gesture of Tawhid though it has been also used in more political contexts, particularly by groups more extremist in ideology such as ISIS.
• The Rabia gesture, whose origins are unknown; used by the Muslim Brotherhood, its affiliates, and its supporters in Egypt since late August 2013, following a sit-in dispersal and fatal clashes at Nasr City's Rabaa al-Adawiya Square. The gesture is identical to a common gesture for the number four.
• Raised fist is mostly used by activists to express solidarity and defiance against oppression.
• The Ring is an Italian gesture used in conversation to delineate precise information, or emphasize a specific point. It is made similarly to the A-Ok sign, but the ring made by the thumb and forefinger is on top with the palm facing medially. The arm moves up and down at the elbow. If more emphasis is needed both hands will make the gesture simultaneously with the palms facing one another.
• Roman salute is a salute made by a small group of people holding their arms outward with fingertips touching. It was adopted by the Italian Fascists and likely inspired the Hitler salute.
• Salute refers to a number of gestures used to display respect, especially among armed forces.
• Scout handshake is a left-handed handshake used as a greeting among members of various Scouting organizations.
• Shaka sign consists of extending the thumb and little finger upward. It is used as a gesture of friendship in Hawaii and surf culture.
• Shrug with only one hand is used to signal confusion or "what?" - can be accompanied by squinting of eyes, slightly open mouth, and slight rotating of head.
• The so-so gesture expresses neutral sentiment or mild dissatisfaction, or can describe an uncertain situation. The hand is held parallel to the ground and rocked slightly.
• Signal for Help is a single-handed gesture that can be used over a video call or in person by an individual to alert others that they feel threatened and need help. The signal is performed by holding one hand up with the thumb tucked into the palm, then folding the four other fingers down, symbolically trapping the thumb by the rest of the fingers. It was designed intentionally as a single continuous hand movement, rather than a sign held in one position, so it could be made easily visible.
• Talk to the hand is an English-language slang expression of contempt popular during the 1990s. The associated hand gesture consists of extending a palm toward the person insulted.
• Telephone. Thumb and little finger outstretched, other fingers tight against palm. Thumb to ear and little finger to mouth as though they were a telephone receiver. Used to say, "I'll call you", or may be used to request a future telephone conversation or to tell someone of a call. In the 2020s, it was noted that younger people who have grown up in the era of smartphones use a flat palm to indicate a telephone. Neither of these gestures would be recognizable to users of old-fashioned wall telephones, where the speaker and receiver were held separately.
• Thanks can be given by holding a hand upright, palm outwards, with all fingers pointing upwards, with the hand at the same level as the face or just above, usually held for around a second, in British and other cultures. This is commonly used when travelling to show thanks to other people, such as thanking a bus driver from the other side of the bus, or thanking another traveller for voluntarily yielding to let another traveller pass.
• Serbian three-finger salute is a salute used by ethnic Serbs, made by extending the thumb, index, and middle fingers.
• The Scout's salute is a three-finger salute and sign used by members of the international Scout movement. It is made with the right hand, palm faced out, with the thumb holding down the little finger. As a salute, the fingertips touch the brow of the head. As a sign the hand is held at shoulder height.
• The term "three-finger salute" is also applied in a joking way to the finger.
• Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down are common gestures of approval or disapproval made by extending the thumb upward or downward. The Thumbs Up or Thumbs down is also a gesture used in scuba diving to signal to partner to ascend or descend.
• Two-finger salute is a salute made using the middle and index fingers. It is used by Polish Armed Forces and by Cub Scouts.
• V sign or Victory hand is made by raising the index and middle fingers and separating them to form a V, usually with the palm facing outwards. This sign began to be used during World War II to indicate "V for Victory". In the 1960s, the hippie-movement began to use the V-sign to mean "peace", especially in the United States. It is also used in most coastal east Asian nations, in either orientation, as an indication of cuteness when being photographed. Examples are China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.
• * V sign as an insult is made by raising the index finger and middle finger separated to form a V with the back of the hand facing outwards. This is an offensive gesture in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland.
• Vulcan salute was used in the television program Star Trek. It consists of all fingers raised and parted between the ring and middle fingers with the thumb sticking out to the side. It was devised and popularized by Leonard Nimoy, who portrayed the half-Vulcan character Mr. Spock, and who wrote in his memoir I Am Not Spock that he had based it on the Priestly Blessing performed by Jewish Kohanim with both hands, thumb to thumb in this same position, representing the Hebrew letter Shin.
• Wanker gesture is made by curling the fingers into a loose fist and moving the hand up and down as though masturbating. The gesture has the same meaning as the British slang insult, "wanker".
• Wave is a gesture in which the hand is raised and moved left and right, as a greeting or sign of departure.