V-SIGN: The good, the bad, and ... the effect of middle finger length!

**Martijn (admin)** Sun Dec 12, 2010 5:50 pm

The story behind Winston Churchill's famous 'V-sign' is fascinating:

"British Occultist Aleister Crowley claimed to have invented the usage of a V-sign as a magical foil to the Nazis' use of the Swastika in February 1941. He maintained that he passed this to friends at the BBC, and to the British Naval Intelligence Division through his connections in MI5, eventually gaining the approval of Winston Churchill. Crowley pointed out that in his 1913 publication Magick a V-sign and a swastika appear on the same plate."

So far regarding the background of the 'good' version of the V-sign (which is usually associated with: victory & peace).

Outside the United Kingdom only few people you are aware that there is also a so-called 'bad' version of the V-sign. In British countries a V-sign performed by flicking the V upwards from wrist or elbow with the palm wards, is recognized as an insulting gesture!

Earlier this month a British report became available which describes how finger length is involved in the effect of the 'bad' version of the V-sign. The results appear to indicate that the effect of the 'bad' V-sign is more severe when a long middle finger is involved... possibly due to the association with another related gesture: 'the finger'!

A little boy performing 'the finger'.

V-SIGN: The good, the bad, and ... the effect of middle finger length! Vt_middle_finger_kid_stands

V-SIGN: The good, the bad, and ... the effect of middle finger length! Vt_middle_finger_kid_stands

A few more details are available via:
http://handfacts.wordpress.com/2010/12/12/v-sign-research-middle-finger-length-is-involved-in-the-effect-of-the-v-gesture/

Another famous example is John Lennon (The Beatles), who has been
using the 'V' as a peace sign in his protest against the Vietnam war.

V-SIGN: The good, the bad, and ... the effect of middle finger length! John-lennon-peace-sign-717701

V-SIGN: The good, the bad, and ... the effect of middle finger length! John-lennon-peace-sign-717701

sv-b Sun Dec 12, 2010 6:19 pm

Hello martijn, Smile

For your information, I give some points here. I think, Most of the indian politician uses V shape in their hand when canvassing votes from the public or during any public meetings in order to symbolize the symbol of their political party. For example, Former chief minister of tamilnadu miss.jayalalitha, leader of A.D.M.K party use to show her fingers like v when meeting the huge number of public peoples in order to assert her political party symbol "Double leafs". Smile

sv-b Sun Dec 12, 2010 6:25 pm

Another note is that keeping the finger in V shape represent victory. Hence, sportsmen and politicians keep their finger in V position and celebrate either anticipatory victory or accomplished victory. Smile

**Martijn (admin)** Sun Dec 12, 2010 6:49 pm

stalin.v wrote:Another note is that keeping the finger in V shape represent victory. Hence, sportsmen and politicians keep their finger in V position and celebrate either anticipatory victory or accomplished victory.

Hi Stalin,

Yes that's correct - Churchill's gesture directly relates to the 'victory' interpretation.

Wikipedia describes an overview of the most common interpretations:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_sign

Back of the hand facing the signer:
- Two – nonverbal communication of quantity
- Victory – in a setting of wartime or competition. It was first popularized by Winston Churchill, and sometimes is made using both hands, or upraised arms as US President Eisenhower, and in imitation of him, Richard Nixon, used to do.
- Peace or Friend – used around the world by peace and counter-culture groups
- Rabbit ears – used behind the head of a subject of a photograph. (Move index and middle finger down and up again)
- Deuces - used as a non-verbal method of parting ways, saying good-bye.

Palm facing the signer:
- Insulting – largely restricted to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland and the United Kingdom.
- Two – indicating quantity although more common with palm turned around.
- Peace – in the United States and Canada without respect to the direction.

Used with other movement:
- Air quotes – flexing fingers, palm out, both hands.
- The letter V, in American Sign Language – used when spelling.
- This handshape is also used in a number of signs, including "to see/look" done in a similar manner to the military use. When each finger is pointed at the signer's eyes then turned and point one finger at someone it means "I am watching you."

**Martijn (admin)** Wed Dec 15, 2010 9:09 pm

V-SIGN: The good, the bad, and ... the effect of middle finger length! Middle_finger_salute

Another 'ambiguous' gesture: 'THE FINGER'!

Just like the 'V-sign', 'The finger' can have multiple meanings. Sometimes, it is made just for fun with a smile (like in the photo above)... but in Dubai it can get you into serious trouble:
DUBAI: A British expatriate in Dubai is facing jail after being accused of ‘flipping the finger’!

TIP - Funny 'the finger' suggestion by 'the Umbilical brothers':.

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V-SIGN: The good, the bad, and ... the effect of middle finger length!

V-SIGN: The good, the bad, and ... the effect of middle finger length!

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