A lot of people use hand gestures to communicate. Hand gestures have become really useful for deaf people to communicate with each other or with the normal people or vice versa. Apart from that, hand gestures are also widely used by normal people to communicate with other people who speak different language or when they are in the situation when they have to communicate with hand gestures, such as when they are underwater, when they are not supposed to make a noise, when they have a hard time explaining something, and so on.
Also Read: 110 Challenging Riddles for Kids of All Grades and Adults (with Answers)
For those who are interested in learning hand signals, for the beginning, you can learn the most common ones that are usually used in everyday life. Some of them can be found below.
20 Common Hand Signals with Meaning in Everyday Life
There are a number of hand signals. 20 of the most common ones that are usually used in everyday life include:
1. Victory or Peace Sign
The V sign is also known as victory or peace sign. It is made by raising the index and middle fingers and making them separated to form a V. Usually, the palm faces outwards. The first time this sign was used was during the World War II as a sign for victory. In the 1960s, it was used by the hippie-movement as the peace sign. In most Asian countries, such as Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan, and Thailand, this hand sign is used as an indication of cuteness when taking a picture.
Aside from that, V sign can also have a negative connotation when it is made by raising the index finger and middle finger separated to make a V with the back of the hand facing outwards. It is an insult and offensive in some countries such as Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa.
2. Thumbs Up
Thumbs up is probably the most popular hand signal in the world. This one has been used for thousands of years. In Western countries, it is commonly used as an approval, agreement, or satisfaction. Just like in the Western countries, it also has a positive meaning in Australia. In this country, it means all is fine. In contrast, thumbs up hand sign has different meanings in many Islamic and Asian countries. In these countries, it is considered a major insult.
3. The OK
The OK sign is a hand gesture common in America and most English-speaking countries that means that things are going well and according to plan. This hand gesture is made by curling the index finger over the thumb and extending the other fingers above it. This hand signal is also used by divers to indicate that everything is OK. But in several other countries, the OK sign has a different meaning. in Japan, this sign shows the symbol of money. In Latin America, this hand gesture is considered very rude. In France, this hand gesture is considered an insult. And, in Australia, this hand gesture means “big zero.”
4. Two-Finger Salute
At first glance, this sign looks like a peace sign. but if you look closely, there is difference with the peace sign. Unlike the peace sign, this two-fingered salute shows the back of the finger, not the front. It is rumored to be the equivalent of the middle finger in the UK. If you live in the United States, you must have seen this sign once or twice. For some kids especially in the US, it is just a peace sign.
5. Heart
Heart is a hand signal where fingers form a heart shape. Usually, this sign is formed by using both thumbs to form the bottom of the heart, while bending the remaining fingers and connecting them at the nails to form the heart shape. Often, two people will each form half a heart, holding the two together as a sign of affection. So, simply, the Heart sign means “I love you.” The sign was even popularized further by singer Taylor Swift.
6. V Sign
The “V sign” is a hand signal where the index and middle fingers are extended and separated to form a V shape, while the other fingers are folded down. This hand signal looks like a sign of peace. However, this two-fingered sign that forms a V takes on a different meaning when you play with your tongue. This “V sign” hints at oral sex.
7. Hole
It is a silly game that most teenagers play. The goal is to not see this hand sign. If you do, you will get punched. If you do not want that to happen, you should try inserting your index finger into the hole, without looking.
8. Hook ‘Em Horns’
This ‘Hook ‘Em Horns’ sign indicates a sign for having fun. Although this hand gesture has the word “horns” in it, but it is not meant to indicate demons. Usually, you will see this hand sign at party or concert events.
9. Middle Finger
The middle finger turned to the side has the same meaning as the traditional finger in the air. Sometimes teenagers do this, hoping not to get caught showing this sign to someone. In many countries, showing the middle finger is an offensive gesture that shows anger towards the person it is aimed at. In Western cultures, showing the middle finger at someone is an obscene hand gesture. This gesture indicates an insult.
10. Loser
This hand gesture is interpreted as “loser.” The sign is made by extending the right thumb and index finger, leaving the other fingers closed to form the letter L. Usually, it is given as a sign of condescension. Based on the history, this loser hand gesture was popular in the 1990s, popularized in part by the movie Ace Ventura: Pet Detective in 1994.
11. You Ate It
Probably, this is a creative thing. And, maybe you did not encounter this sign when you were in middle and high school. Actually, this is a kind of game. When someone burps or farts, several teenagers put their hand to their forehead. The last person to do so is the one who “ate” the flatulence.
12. I Love You
Similar to the meaning of the heart hand gesture, this sign is quite obvious in meaning, as it is taken directly from American Sign Language. Simply, this sign means “I love you.” So, if you see your child showing you this sign, it means “I love you.”
13. Peace … Sideways
At first glance it is similar to the peace sign. Yes, it is sideways, but even so it does not change the meaning of the sign. This sideways peace sign actually has the same meaning as the traditional peace sign. So, this sign does not mean anything shameful. It is just a peace sign on its side.
14. This
The sign itself is actually meaningless. However, children refer to this hand gesture as the “this” sign. It is a game of trying to get people to see “this”, at which point you make fun of them. This does sound silly. As if teenagers must have a reason to make fun of someone. But in some countries, this game is quite popular with children.
15. Ice in My Veins
This hand gesture appeared on TikTok. Originally this hand gesture was started by Los Angeles Lakers player, D’Angelo Russell, who put two fingers on his arm to show that he is cold-blooded. However, children have copied this hand gesture making it famous everywhere.
16. Talking on the Phone
This shows how children today do hand signals to make calls. The way they do it is a representation of the devices they see today, which are smartphones. They just put their hands flat next to their face. Of course, hand signals to make a call today are different from hand signals to make a call in the past.
17. Fist Bump
Apparently, this is a classic hand gesture that has not changed in meaning from generation to generation. Usually, children and teenagers often do this hand signal. This hand signal is used as a greeting. Not only children and teenagers, it turns out that this hand signal is also often used by adults when greeting their friends.
18. Chef’s Kiss
It is a hand gesture that has been around for a long time and is experiencing a renaissance among today’s teens and young adults. The chef’s kiss gesture indicates that a meal or something else is perfect. You must have seen this hand gesture all over social media. Usually, this hand gesture is done by chefs. They do this hand gesture when they feel that a dish has been executed perfectly. As explained by Jay Hathaway on The Daily Dot, the hand gesture is done by bringing the thumb and forefinger together, kissing them, and separating them again.
19. Two Fingers Together
Usually, people do this gesture of two fingers together to show that they are embarrassed, too shy to say what they think, or they are busy working up the courage to express what is on their mind. Apart from being used in real life, this two-finger together gesture can also be used in emoji form.
20. Index Finger
In the United States and some other English-speaking countries, bending the index finger towards the palm is used to beckon someone towards you. In films, this hand gesture is often used by female characters to tease men. However, Japanese people consider this hand gesture to be impolite. In Singapore, this hand gesture is used to mean “death.” And, in the Philippines, this hand gesture is one of the most offensive gestures that can result in the perpetrator being arrested and even having his or her fingers broken as punishment.
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On my daily job, I am a software engineer, programmer & computer technician. My passion is assembling PC hardware, studying Operating System and all things related to computers technology. I also love to make short films for YouTube as a producer. More at about me…
