"Goat", also known as “horns”, “horns”, “fingering”, “horseshoe” - a gesture in the form of the little finger and index finger extended forward, while the middle and ring fingers are pressed against the palm. The gesture is shaped like the head of a horned animal.
Values
The meanings of the gesture are varied:
Iblis demonstrates the "goat" gesture. "Kitab al-bulkhan", an Arabic manuscript from the 14th century. Ancient oratory
The “goat” gesture is a classic gesture of ancient Greek and Roman orators. It is described in the most complete ancient textbook oratory“Education of a speaker” (lat. "Institutio oratoria") Fabius Marcus Quintilian. Among the nine oratorical gestures described by Quintilian, this is the second gesture used by rhetoricians. Two fingers: the middle and ring fingers were bent under the thumb, and the index and little fingers were extended; Quintilian says about this gesture that it is a more urgent gesture than the previous one, which is not used at the beginning of speeches or in narrations.
Mystical
A gesture with the index finger and little finger is considered magic sign protecting from evil. Used by superstitious people in both Europe and Asia to ward off the evil eye and witches, similar to spitting over the shoulder. The “goat” is mentioned in this capacity in Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula”:
Alexander Green also mentions this method of defense in the story “The Loquacious Brownie,” calling it “jettatura.” (Contrary to Green, jettatura (Italian, French and German. jettatura, from obsolete it. getta tour- “cast a glance”) was not called a gesture, but actually the “evil eye” itself).
Also, amulets were made in the form of a hand folded like a goat, which were worn around the neck to protect against the evil eye. In Italian they are called corno(horns) or mano cornuto. With attributed protective properties The gesture is also associated with one of its names, “the horns of Asmodeus.”
Hindus use “mudras” in their rituals - gestures considered magical. Some of them look like a goat, especially the karana mudra. The purpose of this mudra is the same as that of the European gesture: to scare away evil spirits.
Subcultural
Dio shows the audience a "goat" 
Metal worker showing "goat" "Rocker Goat", popularized by singer Ronnie James Dio (Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio, Heaven & Hell), is often used by representatives of various musical subcultures as a sign of approval for the performer. Particularly known among rockers and metalheads. Dio was taught this gesture by his grandmother, a superstitious Italian. According to Ronnie's recollections, she folded this sign if she met gypsies and other suspicious people, and explained to her grandson that it protected against "malocchio" (magliocchio), « evil eye" The gesture looked good at concerts in combination with the mystical lyrics of Black Sabbath. In addition to Dio, Gene Simmons of Kiss and members of the Parliament-Funkadelic group used this gesture on their covers around the same time, but it was Dio, who showed the “goat” at concerts, who managed to consolidate the tradition and make it one of the symbols of heavy metal.
| I'm hardly the first person to put my fingers together like this. It's like reinventing the wheel. But I guess you could say that I brought it into fashion. It was a symbol that reflected everything connected with our group. There is nothing “devilish” about him, as some say. My Italian grandmother said it warded off the “evil eye.” Just a symbol, but he has magical meaning, and I think it went well with Black Sabbath. Now everyone uses it, and it seems to have lost its original meaning. Dio in an interview. |
In the classic, medieval version of the “goat”, the middle, ring and thumb fingers were pressed together to protect against evil. Dio showed the “goat” in exactly this way (see photo). Modern metalheads often make the gesture “wrong”: the thumb is not pressed against the others, but remains pointed to the side. In addition, modern metalheads often make this gesture with the palm facing themselves (the back of the hand facing the viewer).
Offensive
"Raspaltsovka" was used by the New Russians as a sign own superiority. Its main difference from the rocker “goat” is that forefinger and the little finger “look” forward, while in the “rocker” version the fingers are directed upward. They borrowed this gesture from hooligans and criminals, among whom it initially meant a threat to gouge out their eyes.
In a number of southern European countries this sign ( corna) is considered an offensive hint that the one to whom it is shown is a “cuckold.”
Others
Mosaic “Christ the Priest”, St. Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv. In Christian culture, particularly in iconography, gesture is used to convey direct speech carrying the good news. This gesture in Christianity originates from Hellenistic ancient culture, where it was used in oratory speeches to accompany the speeches of Greek and Roman speakers.
Replaces a Latin letter in American Sign Language "Y". Used in a phrase I Love You (I love you), which is rendered ILY, which is why some people associate “goat” with a declaration of love. This “goat” is distinguished by its set aside thumb. In Russian sign language it is used to indicate a letter. "Y", in French sign language it represents the letter H.
In sports, the gesture is sometimes used by baseball and volleyball players to signal. Athletes from the University of Texas at Austin team, whose mascot is a bull, made “horns” their traditional greeting. The gesture is accompanied by the motto “Hook’em horns” (from English - “Hook them on the horns”).
In the Russian nursery rhyme “The Horned Goat,” the gesture depicts the goat itself.
In literature and cinema
- The hero of the film "Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles" uses this gesture to pacify a buffalo.
- In the science fiction series "Babylon 5", representatives of the priest caste of the Minbari race in the initial combat stance for hand-to-hand combat the hands are clenched not into fists, but in the form of this gesture.
- In the story “The Secret of the Abandoned Castle” by Alexander Volkov, the “goat” is a welcoming gesture of the Menvits.
- The gesture is popular in the anime Sailor Moon, where the heroines of the animated series cross their arms over their chests with their little fingers, thumbs and index fingers extended.
- In the Spider-Man universe, this gesture main character Used to release cobwebs from the hand.
- The gesture is found in the anime Kuroshitsuji, where it is used by the red-haired reaper Grell Sutcliffe.
- The gesture can be seen in the anime "Ranma ½" - characters almost always do it when they find themselves in funny situations.
- In the film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, in Defense Against the Dark Arts class, Remus Lupine (David Thewlis) uses this gesture when asking students to repeat the spell against a boggart.
- In The Sopranos, Tony Sirico's character Pauley often uses this gesture when speaking.
- In the television series "The Worst Witch", the head teacher of Keckle School, Constance Pomelo, uses exactly this gesture when she casts a spell.
Victoria (gesture)
This term has other meanings, see Victoria.
"Victoria" performed by Winston Churchill Victoria(character U+270C ✌ "victory hand" in Unicode) is a common gesture signifying victory or peace. Shown with the index and middle fingers pointing upward in the form Latin letter"V".
In the UK and Australia, this sign takes on an offensive meaning if the back of the hand is turned towards the person to whom the gesture is addressed.
"Anti-French" version
There is a "medieval" urban legend origin of the "Victoria" gesture. According to this version, during Hundred Years' War Captured English and Welsh archers, who terrified the French, had precisely these two fingers on their right hand cut off so that they could no longer use their bows. The archers, knowing this, teased the French before the battle by showing them their intact fingers - “Be afraid, enemies!”
However, this version historical sources not confirmed. In that war, it was generally not customary to take ordinary soldiers prisoner; they were killed. Presumably, this story is a so-called urban legend, and it was invented quite recently, no earlier than the 1980s.
FINGER GESTURES
Quote from Nadiinn's message Read in full In your quotation book or community!WHAT ARE YOUR FINGERS TALKING ABOUT?!
WHAT ARE YOUR FINGERS TALKING ABOUT?!
A person uses finger gestures most of the time he communicates. Using finger gestures you can express your attitude towards a situation or person - this is the emotional part of the message. Fingers can be used as an informative part of a message, used to express the number and size of the objects being described. Finger movements are especially often used when the other person cannot hear the interlocutor. For deaf and mute people there is a special dactyl alphabet, when each gesture corresponds to the letters of the alphabet. Knowing the decoding of some common finger gestures, you will be able to more fully understand your interlocutor and even notice flattery, deception, joy, and so on. By understanding the meanings of hand gestures, you will not be misunderstood by the other person. Let's look at a few common finger gestures.
Thumb up and down gesture
Gesture thumb most often means a person’s attitude towards what was said or done. If the thumb is raised up, then this gesture can be deciphered: “Great!”, “Oh, I approve of this!”, “Cool idea!” And the finger is located down, back side situations: “I’m not happy with you,” “I’m unpleasant,” “Ugh,” etc. However, the thumb gesture is also used for other purposes. So, for example, if you want to stop a vehicle on the road, you can show your thumb. The driver will decipher it as voting and the desire for a long trip, hitchhiking. An Australian or Englishman will understand a thumbs up sharply as a sexual insult. But in Greece this quick gesture means: “Fuck you!” And the Arabs associate the raised thumb with a phallic symbol.
When counting, the thumb is used in different ways: Italians count the thumb as a unit, while Australians, English, Russians and others use the index finger for one, and the thumb would be the fifth.
The thumb can be used in different positions of the body and signify power and dominance. A gesture of superiority and power.
Index finger gesture
The index finger speaks for itself; it points to something or someone. The index finger gesture has many meanings and depends on words, movements and body position. An index finger placed on the lips means “quiet.” If it is raised vertically, it means “stop!”, “attention!”. If you shake your finger to the side at the same time, this gesture will mean refusal. A finger tilted slightly forward and swinging up and down means a threat or a lesson. If you twist your index finger at your temple, it means they consider you a fool. A hand raised up with an index finger says: “Attention, I want to say something!” There is one hidden position of the index finger: if a person speaks and his gaze is directed in one direction, and the index finger in the other, while it is slightly bent, then the person is telling a lie.
Gesture middle finger
The gesture of a middle finger raised up, with the thumb extended or pressed into a fist is considered offensive. The extended middle finger is a phallic symbol, meaning: “Fuck off!” In Russia and China, the gesture is considered very rude; instead, they use a figurine, meaning: “you won’t get anything.” In America, the “fuck” gesture is considered abusive, but is used more often, meaning: “Fuck you!”
Two finger gesture or "V" sign
The two-finger gesture or V sign is common in English-speaking countries. So in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, this finger gesture will mean a sexual insult. In most European countries, as well as in Russia, this gesture means Victory. Winston Churchill first used the "V" gesture in World War II, but his palm was turned toward himself and meant victory. This is how a division into the negative and positive significance of this gesture appeared. However, in European countries the meaning of victory is determined with an open palm. And the palm turned towards you will mean the number 2. Using the two-finger gesture, you need to remember the culture and traditions existing in the country. An Englishman, deciding to insult a Russian, will put him at a loss.
Three finger gesture
Three fingers can be used in different combinations, most often the number is three. IN different countries The number three is shown in different ways. For example, the Germans, since they start counting with their thumb, show their thumb, index and middle fingers. Russians and Americans will show three fingers, starting with the index finger.
In some countries, especially during the Second World War, the Germans raised three fingers up during the oath, greeting their commander-in-chief. The history of this gesture goes back to ancient times, when warriors swore an oath by greeting each other with this gesture. Today in some countries this gesture is used as a symbol of victory.
"Goat" gesture and tongue between fingers
This gesture is very popular and is used as protection against evil, even in mystical rituals. But we better know this gesture as the “rocker goat.” Some rockers began to stick their tongues out between their fingers, showing their culture even more crazy.
In Russia, this gesture has become stronger as a gesture of superiority over someone. It is also used to show horns and insult a person. If the “horns” begin to move closer to a person, they want to show that they are about to attack. In the dactyl alphabet these are the letters Y and Y.
Thumb and little finger gesture or "shaka" gesture
The thumb and little finger gesture is very common today as a gesture phone call: “Call me, I’m waiting.” In this case, fingers are applied to the ear. If the thumb moves towards the mouth and the head is tilted, then this gesture means to drink. Without head movements in drug addicts, it means smoking. In the dactyl alphabet this gesture means the letter U. V Asian countries, such a gesture shows the number six. And the welcome sign will be in Hawaii or among skydivers and surfers.
OK gesture or ring fingers
Fingers folded into a ring mean the letter O. The ok gesture appeared in America and was used in different situations, but the most common is “OK”, that is, “everything is in order.” This gesture is also used as zeroing or meaning “nothing”. But in Japan this gesture means money. In Mediterranean countries, if you show a man your fingers with a ring, you will offend him by making it clear that he is a homosexual.
Interlocked fingers
Locked fingers are often accompanied by a smile, but in fact they indicate depression, uncertainty and hostility. Imagine a person who clasped his hands and bowed his head on them, what happens at this moment? He is upset and ponders what to do next. The tighter the hands are clenched, the more worried he is. If in the same case the head is directed upward and there is a smile on the face, then it is difficult to persuade such a person. Your hands act as a barrier between you and your interlocutor. It is much easier to negotiate with a person whose clasped fingers are located at chest level or lie on the table. To remedy the situation, you can unclasp your fingers by giving something to look at. Now imagine that you are standing and keeping your clasped fingers down or on your knees. How do you feel at this moment? Most likely, there is some tension that you want to hide. If they tell you something, and you accept this position of your hands, then inside you do not agree and thereby express a protest. The more your palms are turned towards the interlocutor, the more liberated you are.
Rubbing the tips of others with your thumb
If a person stretches his hand forward and rubs his thumb against the tips of his other fingers, then he is talking about money. Money is usually mentioned in conversation, so it will be easy for you to decipher this gesture. But the rubbing gesture can be in a situation where a person is trying to convey something to you. In this case, the hand moves forward and upward with the addition of the words: “so here it is!” It feels like some important secret is about to be revealed.
Intertwined fingers gesture
The gesture of crossed or interlaced fingers is used for protection. For example, when they are deceiving or want to avoid being jinxed, for good luck. Moreover, the fingers are intertwined on both hands and hidden from the interlocutor, so such a gesture is difficult to see.
Closed thumb and index finger gesture
This gesture is used when they want to draw attention to something. Gesture of a closed large and index fingers often complements speech. The person who makes such a gesture wants the listeners to understand the very essence of what was said.
United fingertips
This gesture is used by people who are confident in themselves and their knowledge. The connected fingertips or "spire" is used by balanced people; they gesture little and talk more. Closed fingers also mean decision. If during the conversation your interlocutor showed a negative attitude (crossed arms and legs, indifference on his face), then his decision is to refuse. In another case (open palms, interested person), the client made a positive decision.
There are two variations of the "pin" with your fingers down and up. The person speaking places his fingers up, and the person listening down.
Alphabet in finger sign language
The alphabet in sign language is used by deaf and mute people. They use finger and hand gestures to make the other person understand. If you encounter such gestures, do not be alarmed. If you look at this table, you will understand that there is nothing difficult in memorizing or understanding.
In conclusion, I would like to say that gestures cannot be considered separately, since the same gesture can be interpreted in different ways. Gestures, words, facial expressions are read in the system, only then can the correct conclusion be drawn. Finger gestures may or may not correspond to words. If they correspond, then the gestures reinforce the verbal information, and if not, then you have to be informed by gestures, since they provide much more information than words.
Gestures and their meaning in different countries
When arriving in another country, we always prepare for the fact that certain difficulties may arise associated with overcoming the language barrier. At the same time, travelers completely forget about gestures, ignorance of which can be much more dangerous and unpredictable.
Public speaking teachers often say that if the speaker does not know what to do with his hands, then it is better to simply shut his mouth with them. This is doubly true for tourists who know nothing about sign language. We will not pretend to be experts in the field of kinesics and will simply tell you about the main tourist mistakes and convince you that it is easier to learn to gesture correctly than to give up gestures, without which any speech will be insufficient, weak and incomprehensible.
Greetings
This issue should be approached with special care, because any conversation begins with a greeting. Fortunately, the entire civilized world has accepted the tradition of shaking hands, but in some countries, greeting customs have been preserved that may seem more than strange to a Russian person. For example, a Mexican may grab your thumb, but Muslim country men are used to hugging each other around the waist (if there is one). In France, even a stranger can kiss you on the cheek, and the people of Lapland are used to rubbing noses as a sign of greeting. As for Asia, the inhabitants of this region are not used to being familiar and touching each other unnecessarily - here it is customary to greet interlocutors by folding your palms
F...CK (all I need is "U") - Fak
Thanks to Hollywood, the exposed middle finger has become famous all over the world. Moreover, in no country does this gesture mean something good and peaceful. Classic meaning This phallic gesture is very harsh, and it means an abrupt end to a conversation and a wish to travel in the direction that cultured people Often on fences they turn it into a “chew” call.
In Thailand and Japan, this gesture will be perceived as a willingness to provide the most wide range sexual services, and in Germany you can get a considerable fine for the middle finger.
Thumb
A gesture using the thumb often demonstrates a person's attitude towards what he happened to see. Thumbs up - “I like it!”, “Dude, this is just cool”; finger facing down - “Ewwww!”, “I don’t like it.” The main thing is not to provoke a person to remember the tradition of lowering the thumb to sum up the results of a gladiator battle in Ancient Rome.
However, the thumbs up is interpreted differently in many countries. If in Germany it is peacefully neutral and means the number 1, then in Greece this gesture will be similar to the phrase “Fuck you!” In Uruguay and Iran, the proudly raised thumb symbolizes an erect male sexual organ, and the gesture itself means a threat of sexual violence. The French, by showing their thumb, seem to say, “Sit on it.” If you're not entirely sure what this means, go a little higher and brush up on the Iranian and Uruguay interpretation of the thumb. So be extremely careful, this especially applies to hitchhikers - in some countries it is much easier to start a war with your thumb than to stop a car.
Dulya, fig, fig
Such a variety of cute epithets indicates the popularity of this gesture, which is used all over the world. In our country, a fig is an unsubstantiated argument in a protracted dispute. In other words, this is our domestic “fak”, which, nevertheless, is not so offensive.
In Japan, China and Korea, the fig is perceived as a phallic symbol, and in Germany this gesture can be used to suggest sex. And if in India a three-fingered butt will be perceived as a threat, then in Turkey and Central America this means an offer to conduct an express course in oral sex.
You can use the fig to your heart's content in Brazil and Portugal, because local population It is customary to believe that such a design of fingers can bring good luck and ward off evil forces.
Forefinger
The index finger itself is the most versatile of all the fingers that Mother Nature has given us. Raise your index finger up, and everyone will become quiet, because in this way you demand attention. Place it on your lips and it will provide you with deathly silence or a whisper. Twist your index finger at your temple and you will accurately formulate your opinion about mental abilities interlocutor. It’s about the last gesture that we’ll talk about.
If you find yourself in Holland, then drilling your index finger into the temple area will mean that you are quite smart.
In Italy, this will indicate that you are considered an eccentric person, and in Argentina, this way you will be invited to answer the phone.
If you see someone twirling their finger at their temple in Peru, this can only mean one thing - “Don’t interfere, I think.”
Open palm
In our culture, a raised hand and open palm means “Enough.” But don’t even think about showing your open palm to a Greek, because a descendant of the ancient Hellenes will take this as a direct insult. It's connected with long tradition, according to which criminals had their faces dirty, using, of course, the palm of their hand.
OK
The sign in the form of a ring formed by the index finger and thumb was given to people by divers, who thus notify their partner that everything is in order. There is also a version that this is an invention of journalists who sought to shorten the most popular phrases. In most cases, it means no problems or “zero”. However, not everywhere.
In France, Portugal and some countries Latin America The “OK” gesture, beloved by Americans and many Europeans, is perceived as indecent and symbolizes the anus. This can be felt especially acutely in Turkey, where a finger ring is an open accusation of homosexuality. But in Tunisia, this gesture can be interpreted as a threat to kill a person.
"Goat"
By clenching your palm into a fist and raising your index finger and little finger up, you will get the famous “crown” or “horns” - a gesture that was first used by the group Black Sabbath and picked up by all fans of “heavy metal”.
In many cultures, this gesture symbolizes the cuckolded devil, which is why people subconsciously attribute certain satanic traits to heavy rock, and lovers of “heavy” guitar riffs are considered admirers of the evil Lucifer. However, here it is worth telling yourself to stop and make allowances for the “cultural wind”, because, for example, in Hinduism and Buddhism, the “goat” is a positive gesture and is used to dispel evil.
In Mediterranean countries, “horns” are shown exclusively to men whose dandruff is not dandruff at all, but sawdust from cut down horns. In other words, this sign can indicate to a Mediterranean man that his wife prefers other people's sheets. It is in this context that “horns” are used by fans dissatisfied with the decision of a football referee in Spain, Portugal, Greece, Colombia, Brazil, Albania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Thus, the judge is asked to go “to the soap” and is told “While you are here in the field, your wife is pruning roses with the gardener!”
V - Victoria - Victory
The oldest sign in the form of the index and middle fingers raised up means triumph and victory. However, in Italy, this palm-inward gesture will mean the female genital organ and actions of a corresponding nature. You can strengthen the gesture by placing your nose between your fingers.
Shaka
This gesture in the form of a protruding thumb and little finger is the most “lounge” of all possible and means “Relax.” Shaka is a mood that reigns in Hawaii and is a true embodiment of the lifestyle of many islanders. This gesture is often used as a greeting in Hawaii. It is also very popular among skydivers, surfers and others like them.
Russians are accustomed to interpreting this gesture in their own way, associating it with the idea of the average Hawaiian, who in the minds of most Russian residents is a wild Rastafarian with a huge smoky pipe of a joint and tangled dreadlocks. That is why this gesture with a thumb raised to the mouth means an invitation to expand consciousness with the help of cannabinol. All you have to do is put your thumb to your ear, and the gesture will automatically mean “I’ll call.”
Language demonstration
If in Russia you stick your tongue out at a person, he will not smile back at you. However, there is still nothing critical in this gesture. But in New Zealand, exposing one's taste buds can seriously offend a person.
In Australia, you will most likely get kicked in the neck for sticking your tongue out, but in Italy this way you are accused of cowardice.
In Germany, you shouldn’t stick your tongue out at other drivers while driving, because you can get a fine of 300 US dollars.
Glass upside down
In Russia, by turning a glass upside down, a non-drinker demonstrates his refusal to drink alcohol, and in the language of a drinker this means “I respect you, but enough is enough.”
Under no circumstances should you overturn the dishes in England, as bar patrons may perceive this action as an invitation to a fight. What could be better than a colorful bruise or a cleverly broken nose after a good drinking session?
But in the USA, a bartender who places an upside-down glass in front of you invites you to drink at the expense of the establishment. If you accept a treat, simply return the glass to its normal position.
Be extremely careful with your gestures. But if you want to turn your journey into a walk through unpredictability, forget everything that was said about :o)
Enjoy the culture shock and unexpected twists of fate.
Source
Why do we tear the shirt on our chest, throw our hat on the ground and show the fig? Deciphering Russian folk sign language.
1. Scratch your head.
A Russian person scratches his head when he is puzzled by something. The question is - for what? Of course, it is unlikely to stimulate blood circulation in the brain. One version says that this gesture came from folk magic: in this way, our ancestors called for help from the ancestor, the genius of the family.
2. Tearing your shirt on your chest.
It was probably originally an impromptu oath. There is a hypothesis that with such an expressive gesture our ancestors showed their belonging to the Orthodox faith, showing a cross. In addition, it is known that during executions and some corporal punishments, the executors tore the top of the shirt of the punished person. So, the voluntary tearing of clothes as a persuasive argument was intended to show a person’s readiness to climb to the chopping block for the truth.
3. Throw your hat on the ground.
An equally expressive gesture that articulated some desperate decision. For Russian men, a headdress (along with a beard) symbolized dignity and integration in society. Removing one's hat in public was considered a grave disgrace, a kind of civil execution. Usually debtors were subjected to this procedure. Voluntarily throwing a hat on the ground demonstrated a person’s willingness to take the most insane risks, in which the price of failure could be the person’s expulsion from society.
4. Beat yourself in the chest.
This gesture, according to one version, came from the military tradition of nomads and was brought to Rus' by the Tatar-Mongols. This is how the “steppe people” swore an oath to their overlord. Punching the chest as a gesture was meant to show the person's devotion.
5. "Goat".
As a rule, this gesture is mistakenly associated with criminal “fingering” or fans of “metal”.
In fact, the “goat” is already several thousand years old, and it was associated with protection from black magic, from evil spirits. Probably, the older generation still remembers the nursery rhyme “The horned goat is coming for the little guys...”, when an adult is shown how a goat butts, depicting goat horns using the little finger and index finger right hand. In fact, this is not just a game with a child - this is how our ancestors removed the evil eye from children.
In addition, ancient Greek speakers accompanied their speeches with a “goat”; this configuration meant “instruction.” This gesture was adopted from ancient rhetoricians by Christian priests, who often accompanied their sermons with a “goat.” It is curious that on some Orthodox icons you can see the Savior and the saints with their little finger and index finger extended forward.
6. Kukish.
In general, this gesture is characteristic of many cultures. In Rus', they probably learned about the fig from visiting Germans, who tried to seduce Russian young ladies with such a vulgar gesture. There is even a version that “fig” arose from the German expression “fick-fick machen” (that was the traditional German invitation to intimacy). In the Russian tradition, the symbol of this gesture (probably thanks to highly moral Russian women) was transformed into a designation of categorical refusal. Moreover, over time, “fig” began to be used as a protective agent against evil spirits: Apparently, due to their promiscuity, expats from German lands were considered to be demons.
7. Neck Snap
This gesture from the Russian drinking tradition articulated the phraseological phrase “pawn for the tie”, widespread in the 19th and early 20th centuries. This expression was born among officers, and it was invented by a certain Colonel Raevsky, “a talker and a buffoon.” By the way, he “invented” another “drinking” phrase - “a little help” (chauffé). It is interesting that this gesture was adopted by speculators of strong drinks during the “prohibition” law, which Nicholas II established in Russian Empire in 1914.
Who would have thought, but we perceive 80% of the information around us with our eyes, and only 20% with our ears. When information is transferred from one person to another, gestures are necessarily used in conversation. And we are not talking about the deaf at all. With the help of gestures, speech becomes lively, emotional and understandable.
Every people and nationality has its own characteristic gestures. The Russians also have them. Let's remember the characteristic Russian gestures and find out what they mean.
Cookie with butter and other gestures
What does a Russian person usually do when inviting someone else to drink? What gesture do we show to our interlocutor, indicating that our neighbor, work colleague or just a friend has drunk alcohol? That's right - a slap in the throat. We usually do this with our index or middle finger.
Such a gesture, an obvious hint - to drink vodka or something “hot” together. Or point to someone who has already done it. Pawn for a “tie or collar”, exactly from this opera.
Where did this strange gesture come from among the Russians? They say that Peter the Great, being in a good mood, decided to reward some artisan for his talent and abilities. Having invited him to himself, Peter asked - “what would he want as a reward”? Without thinking for a long time, the artisan asked for a special privilege - to drink vodka in any tavern, and absolutely free. Peter had already monopolized all alcoholic beverages in Russia.
The craftsman's wish was satisfied. The pass was a special brand on the neck that this person put. Entering the tavern, he pointed to this “document” with a gesture familiar to us - a click on the throat. Thus, this gesture has become an invariable attribute of strong drinks and their consumers.
Remember how we count on our fingers? We gradually bend the fingers of the open palm, starting with the little finger. Do you know that not everyone does this? For example, sophisticated French people do the opposite. Counting on their fingers, they straighten them. Maybe due to the Russian nature, we bend our fingers when counting, and it turns out to be a fist.
What do we usually do when we say – “I don’t care about anything”! Right! Let's wave our hand! Only Russians have this specific gesture. There is even an expression “give up on everything.” In this case, it is not even necessary to raise and lower your hand.
It’s interesting, but the French, finding themselves in a similar situation, wave their hand back. Thus showing that they are throwing a problem or situation behind themselves. Russians in this case throw the problem to the ground, freeing themselves or their hands from the burden or heaviness.
What do we do when we want to show that a person lacks intelligence? Right! We twist the index finger at the temple. Thereby emphasizing that the person has an empty head. Like, use your brains, maybe something will work!
Interestingly, the French do the opposite. Wanting to stop the ride, they lower their hand down. Showing to the driver, stop right here.
Let's get back to alcohol. Imagine that you are visiting. They offer you a drink. You ask the owner to pour a little into the glass. What kind of gesture does the hand make involuntarily? Right! Brings your thumb and index finger together! At the same time, the remaining fingers remain clenched into a fist. Moreover, we use this gesture not only to describe visible things, but also use them to describe abstract concepts. “I only have a little time left!” and show it with a gesture.
When Russians express their feelings, they involuntarily either put their hand on their heart, thereby expressing their sincerity, or raise both hands up, showing the interlocutor that they agree with his opinion, or give up in the discussion.
What do we do when we're fed up? Place your open palm down on your chin or throat. As if to say, “Enough, no more.”
Hands at your sides. Another interesting gesture with original Russian roots. Remember the pioneers at the school parade or the soldiers on the parade ground in front of the boss. Where did the “Hands at your sides” gesture come from? The Russian reformer Perth the First began reorganizing his army. The expression “standing at the front” appeared precisely then. A soldier with outstretched arms at his sides has become a symbol of submission and obedience.
And lastly. Remember the posters and drawings of the revolutionaries after they came to power in 1917. Peasant woman or worker, in full height They are defiantly showing their figs to the entire bourgeois and capitalist pack.
A fig or a fig is a traditional Russian gesture! A person showing us a figurine (a clenched fist with a thumb stuck between the index and middle fingers) expresses an extreme degree of dissatisfaction, denial, or even anger.
Perhaps this is the most energetic, but also the most vulgar gesture. Since it originates from ancient times and means the male genital organ, reminding us of the process of copulation between a man and a woman. The person who decides to show us nothing either has contempt for us or is clearly threatening us.
We don't always express everything in words. Sometimes gestures are enough for us. In different situations, we tear the shirt on our chest, throw our hat on the ground and show the fig.
In general, this gesture is characteristic of many cultures. In Rus', they probably learned about the fig from visiting Germans, who tried to seduce Russian young ladies with such a vulgar gesture. There is even a version that “fig” arose from the German expression fick-fick machen (this was the traditional German invitation to intimacy). In the Russian tradition, the symbol of this gesture (probably thanks to highly moral Russian women) was transformed into a designation of categorical refusal. Moreover, over time, “fig” began to be used as a protective remedy against evil spirits: apparently, due to their promiscuity, expats from German lands were equated with demons
Slap on the throat
This gesture from the Russian drinking tradition articulated the phraseological phrase “pawn for the tie”, widespread in the 19th and early 20th centuries. This expression was born among officers, and it was invented by a certain Colonel Raevsky, “a talker and a buffoon.” By the way, he “invented” another “drinking” phrase - a little podshefe (chauff?). Interestingly, this gesture was adopted by speculators of strong drinks during the Prohibition Law, which Nicholas II established in the Russian Empire in 1914.
Hat on the ground
An expressive gesture that articulated some desperate decision. For Russian men, a headdress (along with a beard) symbolized dignity and integration in society. Removing one's hat in public was considered a grave disgrace, a kind of civil execution. Usually debtors were subjected to this procedure. Voluntarily throwing a hat on the ground demonstrated a person’s willingness to take the most insane risks, in which the price of failure could be the person’s expulsion from society.
Head scratching
A Russian person scratches his head when he is puzzled by something. The question is - for what? Of course, it is unlikely to stimulate blood circulation in the brain. One version says that this gesture came from folk magic: in this way, our ancestors called for help from the ancestor, the genius of the family.
It was probably originally an impromptu oath. There is a hypothesis that with such an expressive gesture our ancestors showed their belonging to Orthodox faith showing the cross. In addition, it is known that during executions and some corporal punishments, the executors tore the top of the shirt of the punished person. So, the voluntary tearing of clothes as a persuasive argument was intended to show a person’s readiness to climb to the chopping block for the truth.
Beat yourself in the chest
This gesture, according to one version, came from the military tradition of nomads and was brought to Rus' by the Tatar-Mongols. This is how the “steppe people” swore an oath to their overlord. Punching the chest as a gesture was meant to show the person's devotion.
Goat
As a rule, this gesture is mistakenly associated with criminal “fingering” or fans of “metal”. In fact, the “goat” is already several thousand years old, and it was associated with protection from black magic, from evil spirits. Probably, the older generation still remembers the nursery rhyme “The horned goat is coming for the little guys...”, when an adult is shown how a goat butts, depicting goat horns using the little finger and index finger of the right hand. In fact, this is not just a game with a child - this is how our ancestors removed the evil eye from children. In addition, ancient Greek speakers accompanied their speeches with a “goat” - this configuration meant “instruction.” This gesture was adopted from ancient rhetoricians by Christian priests, who often accompanied their sermons with a “goat.” It is curious that on some Orthodox icons you can see the Savior and saints with their little finger and index finger extended forward.
Bend your fingers when counting
Unlike the French, who straighten their fingers when counting, starting with the thumb, Russians bend them, starting with the little finger. This must somehow help us concentrate, take control of the situation, and pull ourselves together.
Wave your hand
A gesture similar to throwing a hat to the ground. In its meaning, it is also similar to this emotional manifestation of the Russian fatalistic principle, but if after throwing the hat on the ground, as a rule, decisive and often reckless actions follow, then after waving one’s hand, the Russian person experiences humility and acceptance.
A finger to the temple is an international gesture. Among the Germans and Austrians it means “crazy!”, and in a number of African cultures it means that a person is deep in thought. In France, a finger to the temple means that a person is a fool, and in Holland, on the contrary, that he is smart. In Russia they twist it at the temple when they want to show that the interlocutor is “a little bit of that”, that he has “balls for rollers.”
In Rus' it was customary to bow when meeting. But the bows were also different. The Slavs greeted a person respected in the community with a low bow to the ground, sometimes even touching or kissing it. This bow was called the “great custom.”
Acquaintances and friends were greeted with a “small custom” - a bow from the waist, and strangers with almost no custom: putting a hand to the heart and then lowering it down. It is interesting that the gesture “from the heart to the earth” is originally Slavic, but “from the heart to the sun” is not.
Any bow metaphorically (and physically too) means humility before your interlocutor. There is also a moment of defenselessness in it, because a person bows his head and does not see the person in front of him, exposing him to the most defenseless place of his body - his neck.
Hand on heart
Putting a hand to the heart used to often accompany any bow - it expressed cordiality and purity of intentions. Today, bowing has become a thing of the past from everyday etiquette, but people still put their hand to their heart. The meaning of this gesture remains the same.
This gesture is an antonym to the favorite gesture of fishermen, showing what kind of fish they caught today. It is used when you need to show that you no longer need to pour a lot, and also when you are asked what salary increase you have had over the past six months.
Sign of satiety
This gesture is usually used half an hour after a Russian person comes to visit his grandmother and sits down at the table. The “fed up” gesture is shown by placing the hand to the neck, palm down.
Ax-head
A similar gesture to the “fed up” gesture, but unlike it, it is, as a rule, not very peaceful in nature. When performing the “sekri-bashka” gesture (which came into Russian culture from the Caucasus), you need to run your thumb along the neck, imitating the movement of a dagger. As a rule, this gesture signifies an ultimatum request.
This gesture, which is especially loved by women in Russian villages, shows a person’s confidence in a given situation, his readiness to take decisive action (stop a horse, enter a burning hut). When a person akimbo, he expands the boundaries of his body, showing his dominance.
Hands cross on chest
The tradition of crossing arms over the chest took root in Russia from the Old Believers. While serving in Old Believer Church It is customary to cross your arms across your chest. IN psychologically this gesture is protective.
The gesture of the thumb at the nose - “show nose” - is one of the most widely known, but relatively not often used. He is known not only in Russia. In Italy it is called “palm tree on the nose”, in France - “fool’s nose”, in the UK there are several at once - the five-finger greeting, the Shanghai gesture, the Queen Anne fan, the Japanese fan, the Spanish fan, coffee grinding. Associations of this sign with coffee grinding arose, in particular, from Charles Dickens. There is an assumption that the “show nose” gesture originally represented a grotesque portrait of a long-nosed man. Nowadays it is considered a teasing sign in children, and the expression “to show your nose” is synonymous with the verb “to deceive” in the sense of “to deceive”.
Turn the glass over
In Russia, the gesture in which a person turns over a glass is a limiting, stopping gesture. The glass is turned over with the meaning “that’s enough,” or “I’m done.” In England, this gesture is a call to fight, just like taking a jacket off your shoulders.
Protruding little finger
A gesture with a protruding thumb and little finger in Russia can mean a conversation on the phone (with an application to the ear), an offer to drink (with a characteristic tip-over), or an offer to smoke non-tobacco. It was also actively used during Prohibition, when this gesture was used to stop taxi drivers from whom they could purchase alcohol.
According to one version, this gesture comes all the way from the Polynesians. Allegedly, colonialists on the islands of Polynesia punished local surfers by cutting off their fingers: for the first case - the index finger, for the second - the middle one, for the third - the ring finger, leaving only the thumb and little finger - in order to be able to pick up luggage or an instrument. Therefore, those who greet in this way are hardcore surfers, waving to each other with an open palm.
Opinion.
Scratching the back of my head
A Russian person scratches his head when he is puzzled by something. The question is - for what? Of course, it is unlikely to stimulate blood circulation in the brain. One version says that this gesture came from folk magic: in this way, our ancestors called for help from the ancestor, the genius of the family.
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No, this is a subconscious memory of a parental slap on the head.
Opinion.
We tear the shirt on our chest
It was probably originally an impromptu oath. There is a hypothesis that with such an expressive gesture our ancestors showed their belonging to the Orthodox faith, showing a cross. In addition, it is known that during executions and some corporal punishments, the executors tore the top of the shirt of the punished person. So, the voluntary tearing of clothes as a persuasive argument was intended to show a person’s readiness to climb to the chopping block for the truth.
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This involves being punched in the chest. That is, instead of hitting himself in the chest, a person tears his shirt, as if showing: I am exposing my chest - for a punch.
Fine. Why doesn't he just punch himself in the chest without ruining his clothes?
This is a sign for (the opponent) to punch him in the chest... as if it were his own punch in the chest - a sign of self-assertion.
Opinion.
Throwing the hat on the ground
An equally expressive gesture that articulated some desperate decision. For Russian men, a headdress (along with a beard) symbolized dignity and integration in society. Removing one's hat in public was considered a grave disgrace, a kind of civil execution. Usually debtors were subjected to this procedure. Voluntarily throwing a hat on the ground demonstrated a person’s willingness to take the most insane risks, in which the price of failure could be expulsion of the person from society.
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This gesture replaces (replaced) a bow (at the waist).
Everything described (in opinion) makes sense, but it is accompanying. If a person took off his hat in public, he then looked strange to others, because the hat is removed in front of the deceased. Thus, the public removal of a hat is a sign of doom (to the owner of the hat). For the same reason, it was required that commoners take off their hats when bowing to those in power, or when making any petition. In this case, the person must bow, then there is no (visual) connection with baring his head in front of the deceased. So, in his heart, a man throws his hat on the ground. By this he “makes it clear”: “my bow is in freedom of choice.” What does it mean? Honestly... it's hard to describe. Either this is an attempt to free oneself (internally) from the slavish duty of bowing... (although on the other hand, if this is a request, then the person bowed willy-nilly in order to appease the giver), or a desire to show that the head remains without a hat, and therefore without the need to remove the headdress in front of the deceased. Complex gesture. In any case, it symbolizes desperation and determination. A person does not want to bow to circumstances. But the hat is thrown at my feet. How can a person step over his own cap (read: head)? So, at the same time this person does not want to take a decisive step? He is "in thought."
From this we can conclude that if in some situation a certain person threw his headdress on the ground and at his feet, then it is most likely better for us to let it cool down before having any common business with him.
Opinion.
We beat ourselves in the chest
This gesture, according to one version, came from the military tradition of nomads and was brought to Rus' by the Tatar-Mongols. This is how the “steppe people” swore an oath to their overlord. Punching the chest as a gesture was meant to show the person's devotion.
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When experiencing a spiritual experience, a person sometimes grabs his heart, which “knocks on his hand.” Thus, hitting yourself in the chest with your fist symbolizes the “fight of the heart.” And the heart is associated with the feeling of love. Thus, such a person wants to say (unconsciously): “I am confident that my heart will withstand all adversity.”
Opinion.
Showing the “goat”
As a rule, this gesture is mistakenly associated with criminal “fingering” or fans of “metal”. In fact, the “goat” is already several thousand years old, and it was associated with protection from black magic, from evil spirits. Probably, the older generation still remembers the nursery rhyme “The horned goat is coming for the little guys...”, when an adult is shown how a goat butts, depicting goat horns using the little finger and index finger of the right hand. In fact, this is not just a game with a child - this is how our ancestors removed the evil eye from children. In addition, ancient Greek speakers accompanied their speeches with a “goat” - this configuration meant “instruction.” This gesture was adopted from ancient rhetoricians by Christian priests, who often accompanied their sermons with a “goat.” It is curious that on some Orthodox icons you can see the Savior and saints with their little finger and index finger extended forward.
___________________________
Everything is quite simple here. This is primarily due to the fact that the index finger of the right hand (sometimes the left) is used to indicate the direction of the path. When a “goat” is shown, the fingers are mostly raised up. So it is a sign of conformity to the path and of powerlessness, because the little finger is a weak finger. And now both of these fingers point to the sky, as if they are resting on it... “holding the sky.” Yes it strong sign. Sign of wisdom.
Opinion.
Showing the cookie
In general, this gesture is characteristic of many cultures. In Rus', they probably learned about the fig from visiting Germans, who tried to seduce Russian young ladies with such a vulgar gesture. There is even a version that “fig” arose from the German expression fick-fick machen (this was the traditional German invitation to intimacy). In the Russian tradition, the symbol of this gesture (probably thanks to highly moral Russian women) was transformed into a designation of categorical refusal. Moreover, over time, “fig” began to be used as a protective remedy against evil spirits: apparently, due to their promiscuity, expats from German lands were equated with demons.
___________________________
Fuck, it’s just a failed... “drunk” fist, as it were. From here, therefore, we conclude that if showing a fist means a threat, then making a fist means “sorry, not up to you.” Any vulgar shades are simply a reflection of some ideas among the masses.
Opinion.
Click on the neck
This gesture from the Russian drinking tradition articulated the phraseological phrase “pawn for the tie”, widespread in the 19th and early 20th centuries. This expression was born among officers, and it was invented by a certain Colonel Raevsky, “a talker and a buffoon.” By the way, he “invented” another “drinking” phrase - a little podshefe (chauff?). Interestingly, this gesture was adopted by speculators of strong drinks during the Prohibition Law, which Nicholas II established in the Russian Empire in 1914.
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A click on the neck means the same thing as a click on any vessel into which something is poured or placed: for better passage through the neck (of the vessel), create a slight vibration of its walls.
(The gesture seems to be truly purely Russian).
From the source: http://russian7.ru/post/7-russkix-zhestov/
