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Hand Gestures

Source: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gesture
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_gestures

A gesture is a form of non-verbal communication or non-vocal communication in which visible bodily actions communicate particular messages, either in place of, or in conjunction with, speech. Gestures include movement of the hands, face, or other parts of thebody. Gestures differ from physical non-verbal communication that does not communicate specific messages, such as purelyexpressive displays, proxemics, or displays of joint attention. Gestures allow individuals to communicate a variety of feelings and thoughts, from contempt and hostility to approval and affection, often together with body language in addition to words when they speak.

Gestures have been studied throughout the centuries from different view points. During the Roman Empire, Quintilian studied in his Institution Oratoria how gesture may be used in rhetorical discourse. Another broad study of gesture was published by John Bulwer in 1644. Bulwer analyzed dozens of gestures and provided a guide on how to use gestures to increase eloquence and clarity for public speaking. Andrea De Jorio published an extensive account of gestural expression in 1832.

• A-ok or Okay, made by connecting the thumb and forefinger in a circle and holding the other fingers straight, may signal the word okay; especially as a diving signal. It is considered obscene in Latin America.
• 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 (which are considered as a manifestation of the goddess of knowledge Saraswati), money (which is considered as a manifestation of the goddess of wealth Lakshmi) or another person's leg. The offending person first touches the object with the finger tips 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 (in a hook) as to draw something nearer. It has the general meaning of "come here." In Northern Africa (Maghreb), 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, the palm faces the recipient with the hand at head's height.
• Bellamy salute was used in conjunction with the American Pledge of Allegiance prior to World War II.
• Benediction and blessing. The benediction gesture is a raised right hand with the ring and little finger fingers touching the palm, while the middle and index fingers remain raised. Taken from Ancient Roman iconography for speaking (an example is the Augustus of Prima Porta where the emperor Augustus assumes the pose of an orator in addressing his troops), 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 (index, middle, and thumb) are frequently allegorically interpreted as representing the three Persons of the Holy Trinity.
• Blah-blah. The fingers are kept straight and together, held horizontal or upwards, while the thumb points downwards. The fingers and thumb then snap together repeatedly to suggest 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 (as if signing one's name) in the air.

• Poking, tapping or jabbing a person with an extended finger, may be used to call for attention or to tease the person poked.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. 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 (including Greece, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, Serbia and Turkey among others), it is considered an obscene gesture. The precise origin of the gesture is unknown, but many historians speculate that it refers tofemale genitalia. 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, and in Friuli.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. 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 (i.e., "a thumping").

• Crossed fingers are used to superstitiously 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 side of the head signifies that the person "has a screw loose," i.e. is speaking nonsense or is crazy.
• Dap greeting is a form of handshake recently popularized in western cultures, related to the fist bump.
• The finger, an extended middle finger, is an obscene hand gesture used in much of Western culture.

• 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; when pointed to another, it is interpreted as a threat of violence, either genuine or in jest.
• 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.
• 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 elsewhere 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 Basincountries like Italy and is used in rock and roll, especially in heavy metal music.

• 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 letter L is an insulting gesture.
• Money sign. The thumb rubs repeatedly 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 toward the person being insulted.
• Nazi salute or Hitler salute was used in Germany during World War II to indicate loyalty to Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party.
• Pitchfork or trident gesture is used at Arizona State University athletic events. It is made by extending the index, middle, and little fingers.
• Pointing with index finger may be used to indicate an item or person.

• Pollice verso was a gesture supposedly used in Ancient Rome to pass judgment on gladiators with one's thumb.
• Raised fist is a salute and logo most often used by leftist activists.
• Respect is a gesture made by extending the index, middle, and ring fingers of one hand at another person with the middle finger raised slightly higher than the index and ring fingers. It is used in restricted circle as a sign of respect and approval.
• 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 finger tips 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.
• Shocker is a hand gesture with a sexual connotation. The ring finger and thumb are curled or bent down while the other fingers are extended.
• 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 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.
• Three-finger salute (Serbian) is a salute used by ethnic Serbs, made by extending the thumb, index, and middle fingers.

• Varadamudra is a mudra for dispensing boons. It is made with all fingers of the left hand pointing downward.Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down are common gestures of approval or disapproval made by extending the thumb upward or downward.
• Two-finger salute is a salute made using the middle and index fingers. It is used by Polish Armed Forces and by Cub Scouts.
• United Macedonia salute is a salute used by some nationalist Ethnic Macedonians. It resembles the A-Ok gesture.
• V sign is made by raising the index and middle fingers and separating them 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. 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.

• 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.
• 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", or might indicate a failure or waste in other countries.
• War Chant, also known as Tomahawk Chop, is used in cheering for various athletic teams, including All Blacks rugby, Atlanta Braves baseball, and theFlorida State Seminoles. It is made by extending all fingers and moving the forearm in a chopping motion.

Two-hand gestures

• Wave is a gesture in which the hand is raised and moved left and right, as a greeting or sign of departure.
• World's Smallest Violin (also called "How Sad" or "World's Smallest Violin Playing Hearts and Flowers") is made by rubbing the thumb and forefinger together, to imitate bowing a violin. This gesture is used to express sarcasm and lack of sympathy, in response to someone exaggerating a sad story or unfair treatment.
• Zogist salute is a military salute instituted by Zog I of Albania.

• Air quotes are made by raising both hands to eye level and flexing the index and middle fingers of both hands while speaking. Their meaning is similar to that of scare quotes in writing.
• Añjali Mudrā is a sign of respect among yoga practitioners. It is made by pressing the palms together.
• Applause is an expression of approval made by clapping the hands together to create noise.
• Awkward turtle is a two handed gesture used to mark a moment as awkward. One hand is placed flat atop the other with both palms facing down, fingers extended outward from the hand and thumbs stuck out to the sides. The thumbs are rotated to symbolize flippers.
• Batsu. In Japanese culture, the batsu (literally: ×-mark) is a gesture made by crossing one's arms in the shape of an "X" in front of them in order to indicate that something is "wrong" or "no good".
• Bras d'honneur is an obscene gesture made by flexing one elbow while gripping the inside of the bent arm with the opposite hand
• Chironomia refers to the use of gestures to support oratory.
• The Kohanic or Priestly Blessing - a gesture of benediction in Judaism, used (especially by those of Kohanic or priestly descent) when reciting the Priestly Blessing (Number 6: 22-26). Both hands are held up, palms toward the congregation, with the fingers grouped in twos - the little and ring fingers together, the index and second fingers together, and the tips of the two thumbs touching. Emblems of this gesture are used on the tombstones of those of kohanic ancestry. A one-handed version of this was adopted by Leonard Nimoy for the Vulcan salute in the TV series Star Trek.
• Forefinger Rub — pointing one index finger at a person and rubbing the other against it — conveys the meaning "shame on you" and is usually performed when the other person has done something shameful or inappropriate.
• Hand-rubbing, rubbing both hands together, indicates either one feels cold or one is expecting or anticipating something.
• Jazz hands are used in dance or other performances by displaying the palms of both hands with fingers splayed.
• Mani Giunte is an Italian gesture used when expressing exasperation or disbelief by putting both palms together in prayer and moving them down and back up towards your chest repeatedly. Also known as the "Mother of God."
• Mano a borsa is an Italian gesture used when something is unclear. It is created by extending all the digits on the hand bringing them together with palms facing up and moving the hand up and down by the action of the wrist. It implies the question "what do you want" or "what are you saying" or "what is your point" and generally requires a response.This gesture can be done with either hand or both hands.

Gestures made with other body parts

• Merkel-Raute: Described as "probably one of the most recognisable hand gestures in the world", the signature gesture of Angela Merkel has become a political symbol used by both her supporters and opponents.
• Time-out — a "T" formed with the hands, with one hand with flat palm placed perpendicular to the other hand with flat palm, roughly in the center — originates in American sports. It is used by players to signal for a time out, or brief pause in play. In basketball, the gesture is additionally used by referees to indicate that a player or coach is guilty of a technical foul.
• Victory clasp is used to exclaim victory by clasping the hands together and shaking them to one's side.
• Whatever - made with the thumb and forefinger of both hands, to form the letter "W". Used to signal that something is not worth the time and energy. Popularized by the movie Clueless.

• Air kiss, conveys meanings similar to kissing, but is performed without making bodily contact
• Akanbe, performed by pulling a lower eyelid down to expose the red underneath, often while also sticking out one's tongue, and is a childish insult in Japanese culture
• Anasyrma, performed by lifting the skirt or kilt; used in some religious rituals
• Biting the thumb, an old rude Italian gesture comparable to "the finger" in modern terms; in William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet, Capulet's servant Sampson precipitates a brawl by biting his thumb at the Montague's servant Abraham (Act 1, Scene 1) In the scene, it appears that biting one's thumb inVerona is a non-verbal equivalent of fighting words. Sampson explains the meaning of the gesture to his companion Gregory, suggesting that the gesture could have been unfamiliar even to the original audience of the play. The play does not describe the gesture in detail, but in performances of the play it is often enacted by placing the thumb upright (as in a "thumbs up" sign) just behind the upper incisors, then flicking the thumb outward in the direction of person the gesture is meant to insult. The gesture implies cowardice—someone who would "take the fig". The gesture is also a traditional Sicilian insult meaning 'to hell with you'.
• Blowing a raspberry or Bronx cheer, signifies derision by sticking out the tongue and blowing to create a sound similar to flatulence
• Blow job, made by curling the fingers into a loose fist and moving the hand back and forth in front of the mouth, while the lips make a rounded "o" shape, as though performing fellatio; usually enhanced with the tongue pricking the inner wall of the cheek; considered lewd or obscene and depends on the context, implies different things linked to fellatio, such as informing somebody that someone is performing actual oral sex, offering one, asking one, as a taunting gesture to insult someone as male homosexual, or as an indication of "sucking up"
• Bowing, lowering the torso or head; a show of respect in many cultures
• Cheek kissing, pressing one's lips to another person's cheek, may show friendship or greeting

• Throat slash, made by moving one's index finger, thumb or entire hand, held straight and with palm down, horizontally across one's throat; the gesture imitates cutting a person's throat with a blade, indicating strong disapproval, extreme anger, or displeasure with others or with oneself; alternatively, it can be a signal to stop broadcasting, i.e. "cut"Facepalm, an expression of frustration or embarrassment made by raising the palm of the hand to the face Choking sign, indicates that one is choking is to hold the throat with one or both hands as if strangling oneself. This is recognized as a request for immediate first aid for choking. It is promoted as a way to prevent onlookers from confusing the victim's distress with some other problem, such as a heart attack, when the person cannot speak.
• Curtsey, a greeting typically made by women, performed by bending the knees while bowing the head
• Davai vyp’yem (Russian drinking sign), the index finger is flicked against the side of the neck, just below the jaw.
• Dhyanamudra, sitting with both hands in the lap; signifies concentration
• Drinking sign, in the United Kingdom, the gesture for drinking (used for example as an invitation to "go down to the pub") is made by putting the back of the thumb just below the lower lip, while the other fingers are close together as if holding an imaginary pint of beer, tipping it repeatedly. This gesture can also be used to imply that somebody is drunk, either literally or insultingly.
• Elbow bump, a greeting similar to the handshake or fist bump made by touching elbows
• Eskimo kissing, a gesture in Western cultures loosely based on an Inuit greeting, performed by two people touching noses
• Eye-roll, performed by rotating the eyes upward and back down; can indicate incredulity, contempt, boredom, frustration, or exasperation; can be performed unconsciously or consciously; occurs in many countries of the world, and is especially common among adolescents.

• Genuflection, a show of respect by bending at least one knee to the ground
• Hand-kissing, a greeting made by kissing the hand of a person worthy of respect
• Hand over heart, involves placing one's right hand, palm outstretched and facing in, over one's heart; male hat or cap wearers typically remove their hats and hold them in this hand. In some cultures, it is used as a gesture of respect towards flags or during singing of a national anthem. In the United States, it is usually performed as a part of the rituals of the Pledge of Allegiance.
• Hat tip or doff, a salutation or show of respect made by two people removing their hats
• Head jerk, a quick, sudden, upward movement of the head, usually accompanied with the phrase "'sup" (a slur for "what's up?")
• Kowtow, shows respect by bowing deeply and touching one's head to the ground
• Mooning, a show of disrespect by displaying one's bare buttocks
• Mudra, ritual gestures in Hinduism or Buddhism
• Nod, tilting the head up and down that usually indicates assent in Western Europe, North America, and the Indian subcontinent, among other places but a nod also means the opposite in other places, such as Bulgaria.
• Touching or tapping the side of the nose with the index finger, means "we share a secret"; of British origin that was the popularized in America by the film The Sting.
• Orant, a gesture made during prayer in which the hands are raised with palms facing outward
• Puppy face, tilting the head down with eyes looking up, like a puppy; has a number of uses
• Putting a slightly cupped hand, with palm down, under the chin and then flicking the fingers out (usually once or twice), a common gesture in Italy for expressing indifference; became the center of a controversy in March 2006, when United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia was photographed allegedly making the gesture to illustrate his response to his critics; a Boston Herald reporter misinterpreted it as "obscene" but Scalia later explained that he merely meant "I couldn't care less."
• Shrug, lifting both shoulders indicates lack of knowledge or concern
• Salaam, an Arabic salute of greeting or respect consisting of low bow with the hand touching the forehead.
• Sampeah, a Cambodian greeting or gesture of respect made by lining up the palms and fingers together while bowing
• Scout sign and salute, the use of the three-finger salute by Scout and Guide organizations
• Shush, the index finger of one hand is extended and placed vertically in front of the lips, with the remaining fingers curled toward the palm with the thumb forming a fist; used to demand or request silence from those to whom it is directed.
• Sign of the Cross, used in many Christianity rituals, consists of drawing the shape of a cross over one's body or in the air
• Thai greeting, or wai, shows respect or reverence by pressing the palms and fingers together

• Thumbing the nose (also known as Anne's Fan or Queen Anne's Fan and sometimes referred to as cocking a snook), a sign of derision in Britain made by putting the thumb on the nose, holding the palm open and perpendicular to the face, and wiggling the remaining fingers, often combined with sticking out the tongue. In a two-handed version each thumb is placed in or slightly in front of the ears, the palms are open and facing forward, and the rest of the fingers wiggle.
• Twisting the cheek, thumb and forefinger are placed against the cheek, and a screwing motion, as if making a dimple, is made by twisting the wrist; in Italian culture, this can mean "I see a pretty girl" or that something is delicious; in Germany, the gesture can be used to suggest that someone is crazy.
• Zemnoy poklon or "great bow", used in some Eastern Orthodox Christian rituals, consists of bowing deeply and lowering one's head to the ground

Most recognisable hand gestures:

Thumps up
Thumps down
Middle finger
Two fingers
Peace
Fingers crossed
Live long and prosper
Pointing
Waving
Holding your fist up
Three finger salute
Tapping your nose
Shaking your finger
Blowing a kiss
Hand over heart
Clinton thumb
Fist bump
Hand shake
High five 
Finger gun
Nazi salute
Loser sign
Surfs Up
Wanker
Shocker
Talk to the hand
Hand rubbing
Jazz hands
Clapping
Biting the thumb
Time out
Whatever
Clicking your thumb

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinesics

Kinesics is the interpretation of body language such as facial expressions and gestures — or, more formally, non-verbal behavior related to movement, either of any part of the body or the body as a whole.

The term was first used (in 1952) by Ray Birdwhistell, an anthropologist who wished to study how people communicate through posture, gesture, stance, and movement, and later popularised during the late 1960s by members of the counter-culture seeking to de-verbalize human communication. Part of Birdwhistell's work involved filming people in social situations and analyzing them to show different levels of communication not clearly seen otherwise. The study was joined by several other anthropologists, including Margaret Mead and Gregory Bateson.

Drawing heavily on descriptive linguistics, Birdwhistell argued that all movements of the body have meaning (i.e. are not accidental), and that these non-verbal forms of language (orparalanguage) have a grammar that can be analyzed in similar terms to spoken language. Thus, a "kineme" is "similar to a phoneme because it consists of a group of movements which are not identical, but which may be used interchangeably without affecting social meaning". (Knapp 1972:94-95)

Birdwhistell estimated that "no more than 30 to 35 percent of the social meaning of a conversation or an interaction is carried by the words." (Birdwhistell, 1985: 158). He also concluded that there were no universals in these kinesic displays - a claim disproved by Paul Ekman's analysis of universals in facial expression.^[

A few Birdwhistell-isms are as follows:

• Social personality is a temporo-spatial system. All behaviors evinced by any such system are components of the system except as related to different levels of abstractions.
• Even if no participant of an interaction field can recall, or repeat in a dramatized context, a given series or sequence of body motions, the appearance of a motion is of significance to the general study of the particular kinesic system even if the given problem can be rationalized without reference to it.
• All meaningful body motion patterns are to be regarded as socially learned until empirical investigation reveals otherwise.
• No kineme ever stands alone.

Modern applications

In a current application, kinesics are used as signs of deception by interviewers. Interviewers look for clusters of movements to determine the veracity of the statement being uttered. Some related words may be:

• Emblems - Substitute for words and phrases
• Illustrators - Accompany or reinforce verbal messages
• Affect Displays - Show emotion
• Regulators - Control the flow and pace of communication
• Adaptors - Release physical or emotional tension

Kinesics are an important part of non-verbal communication behavior. The movement of the body, or separate parts, conveys many specific meanings and the interpretations may be culture bound. As many movements are carried out at a subconscious or at least a low-awareness level, kinesic movements carry a significant risk of being misinterpreted in an intercultural communications situation.

Source: 
http://amarit04.wordpress.com/2008/02/17/5-types-of-kinesics/

Emblems:

Emblems are non-verbal cues that have a verbal counterpart.For example, the British sign for Victory (forefinger and middle finger erect) symbolises the letter V, a sign for victory often seen painted onto house walls during WWII. However, the same movement may symbolise the number two in the US and may be seen as insulting in Australia.
Another example is the “ok” sign made by forming a circle with your thumb and forefinger and streching out the rest of the three fingers. This may be seen as an indication for zero or the number three in some countries. It is considered obscene in Australia though. Emblems as such are a bewildering array of different meanings. The list of possible interpretations and different meanings is, unfortunately, sheer endless. In short, emblems are signs used to refer to certain words. Its interpretation may vary across different cultures and groups of people.

Regulators:

Regulators are non-verbal signs that regulate, modulate and maintain the flow of speech during a conversation. These can be both kinesic, such as the nodding of a head, as well as nonkinesic, such as eye movements. They are often used as feedback to find out if one is clear of the instructions given or if the audience is intrested in the speech. Different cultures use different forms of regulators to show confusion or understanding of a certain information. For example, the white american students may use sounds such as “uh-huh” followed by nodding of the head to indicate understanding. However, the black american students use silence to show understanding. Therefore, it may lead to confusion for the white americans as to whether the black students understand what is being said. Regulators may also modulate the flow of speech when someone who wishes to interrupt with a point, he/she raises up his/her hand to indicate that he/she has something to say. This action is a form of regulator as it controls the flow of speech by an interuption and changes it flow towards a new speaker.

Illustrators:

Illustrators are used more consistently to illustrate what is being said. For example pointing to something that you are discussing about. It reinforces what you are saying. Again, the usage and the amount of illustrators used is different from culture to culture. For example Latin cultures in general make more use of illustrators than Anglo-Saxon cultures. And again, Anglo-Saxon cultures make more use of illustrators than many Asian cultures. In Asian culture, the use of illustrators show lack of intelligence while the absence of illustrators, indicate lack of intrest in the Latin culture.

Affective Display:

Affective Displays are body, or more frequently facial, movements that display a certain affective state, i.e. emotions. A lack of such affective displays may well be understood as a lack of emotion, which in turn is probably wrong. Different cultures may practice the displaying of emotions differently. Although two people may be feeling just as angry, their display of anger may be totally different. One may blow up in the face while the other may use silence to show displeasure. Therefore the lack of display may not indicate the  lack of emotions.
 

Adaptors:

Adaptors include postural changes and other movements at a low level of awareness, frequently made to feel more comfortable or to perform a specific physical function. Because adaptors are usually carried out a low level of awareness, they have been hailed as the secret to understanding what your conversation partner really thinks. A slumped posure indicates that you have low spirits, fatigued or that you feel inferior.Whereas, an erect posture shows high spirits and confidence. If you lean foward it implies that you are open and interested. Leaning away shows disinterest and defensiveness. Maintaining a rigid posture may mean that you are defensive, while a relaxed posture may translate to openess. Crossed legs and arms shows unwillingness to listen while uncrossed arms and leg indicates that you are approachable.

http://www.slideshare.net/NirmalaPadmavat/hand-gesture-of-differents-cultures

Hand gestures in different countries:

Thumbs up:

American and european countries: Things are going according to plan

islamic and Asian countries: offensive

Thumbs down:

Opposite of thumbs up for all countries

The dog call:

A seductive way of getting someone to come towards you

In the Philippines its only ever allowed to be used towards a dog

in asian countries like japan its rude

in Singapore its an indication of death

A- ok:

Europe: everything is ok

Latin America and France it means anus

In Australia it means zero

In Germany it means a job well done, or a rude insult depending on the region

In turkey it means one is homosexual

Pointing your finger:

rude, means to single out

The corona:

Used by rockstars

in some countries it can symbolise the devil

It's also considered good in buddhism and hinduism, a gesture to dispel the evil

In the Mediterranean its an old symbol called cuckold, which means your wife is cheating on you

The Fig:

In rome, it means good luck, fertility and a way to ward of evil spirits.

To turks and italians its rude and is a gesture which mimics the female vulva

Clenched fist:

An aggressive hand gesture, used to show anger or start a fight

In some militant groups its used as a sign of defiance

In Asian countries it will definitely land you in a fight

Middle finger:

Very rude in most countries

Extend Your Hand, Palm Outward in Greece

What you think you are saying:

"Phew! That was a heck of a moussaka. I'd eat another portion, but I'm completely stuffed."

What you are actually saying:
"Phew! That was a heck of a moussaka. I'd eat another portion, but I'm too busy rubbing handfuls of shit in your face."

What the hell?
In Greece, the "hand out" gesture is known as the moutza, and it dates back to the time of the Byzantine Empire, when criminals would be paraded through the streets on horseback, their faces blackened to indicate their shame. If they were lucky, the blackening agent would merely be charcoal. If they were unlucky, it would be a substance much, much worse ...

SHIT, is what we're saying here. Their faces would be covered in SHIT.

If you really want to piss a Greek person off, you can go for the double moutza, which features both hands splayed above your head. However, this will also make you look like a backup dancer from Cats, so it's your call.

Thumbs up in the middle east

What you think you are saying:
"Ayyyyy! I'm the fuckin' Fonz!"

What you are actually saying:
"Ayyyyy! I'm going to jam my thumb in your anus!"

What the hell?
It's not just the Middle East. This seemingly universal gesture is also hideously offensive in West Africa and South America, whose citizens would doubtless get really confused if they ever watched Ebert and Roeper. "This movie is great, Bill! So great that I'd like to anally rape it with my thumb!"

The thumbs-up sign has been confusing people for thousands of years. Contrary to Hollywood legend, Roman gladiators were not spared by a thumbs-up, but by a hidden thumb. If the origins of both gestures are linked, we can only assume this meant, "Do not kill the prisoner, he seems the perfect solution to the emperor's arthritic finger."

Ok sign in brazil

What you think you are saying:
"Hi Brazil, I'm US President Richard Nixon, and I'm feeling terrific!"

What you are actually saying:
"Hi Brazil, I'm US President Richard Nixon, and I'm feeling that you should all go fuck yourselves!"

(Note: The above examples are only valid if you are US President Richard Nixon)

What the hell?
In Brazil, the "OK" gesture is roughly equivalent to the finger in the US, which means you should not use it when your hotel manager asks you how your room is, unless you want to tell him that it's purple and velvety and recently molested his wife.

The most famous incident of a misapplied "OK" sign was, in fact, Nixon's visit to Brazil in the '50s. While alighting from the aircraft, he lifted both hands to the cameras and double-fingered the entire nation. Nixon went on to greet the Brazilian Prime minister with a savage kick to the testicles, and concluded his visit by urinating from the window of a moving limousine.

If you're visiting Brazil, you should also never touch any food with your fingers. Even stuff like pizzas and burgers should be eaten with a knife and fork. Not that you'll ever need to apply this knowledge, because after reading this article, you'd be insane if you ever travel abroad again.

In Muslim countries, the right hand is reserved for activities such as eating and shaking hands. The left hand is used for cleaning yourself, especially after using the toilet and, thus, is generally considered unclean. Forgetting this distinction and eating or handing something over with your left hand is considered a terrible insult.

Source: http://www.dauntlessjaunter.com/2011/11/17/common-gestures-in-one-place-but-offensive-elsewhere/

The final hand gestures I've chosen to use:

Middle finger:

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_finger

In Western culture, the finger (as in giving someone the finger or the bird), also known as the finger wave, the middle finger, flipping someone off, flipping the bird, shooting the bird, the rude finger or the one finger salute is an obscene hand gesture, which is often a sign of extreme or moderate contempt, roughly equivalent in meaning to "fuck off", "fuck you", "shove it up your ass", "up yours" or "go fuck yourself." It is performed by showing the back of a closed fist that has only the middle finger extended upwards, though in some locales the thumb is also extended. Extending the finger is considered a symbol of contempt in several cultures, especially Western cultures. Many cultures do use similar gestures to display their disrespect, though others use it to express pointing with no intentional disrespect toward other cultures.

The gesture dates back to Ancient Greece and was also used in Ancient Rome. Historically, it represented the phallus. In some modern cultures, it has gained increasing acceptance as a sign of disrespect, and has been used by music artists, athletes, and politicians. Many still view the gesture as obscene.

The middle finger gesture was used in Ancient Greece as a symbol of anal intercourse, in a manner meant to degrade, intimidate and threaten the individual receiving the gesture.

In Greek the gesture was known as the katapugon (κατάπυγον, from kata – κατά, "downwards" and pugē – πυγή, "rump, buttocks"). In ancient Greek comedy, the finger was a gesture of insult toward another person, with the term katapugon also referring to "a male who submits to anal penetration" or katapugaina to a female.

In Latin, the middle finger was the digitus impudicus, meaning the "shameless, indecent or offensive finger". In the 1st century AD,Persius had superstitious female relatives concoct a charm with the "infamous finger" (digitus infamis) and "purifying spit"; while in the Satyricon, an old woman uses dust, spit and her middle finger to mark the forehead before casting a spell.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16916263

Ancient Greek philosophers, Latin poets hoping to sell copies of their works, soldiers, athletes and pop stars, schoolchildren, peevish policemen and skittish network executives have all been aware of the gesture's particular power to insult and inflame.

"It's one of the most ancient insult gestures known," says anthropologist Desmond Morris.

"The middle finger is the penis and the curled fingers on either side are the testicles. By doing it, you are offering someone a phallic gesture. It is saying, 'this is a phallus' that you're offering to people, which is a very primeval display."

The Romans had their own name for it: digitus impudicus - the shameless, indecent or offensive finger.

In the Epigrammata of First Century AD by the Latin poet Martial, a character who has always enjoyed good health extends a finger, "the indecent one", at three doctors.

Two finger

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_sign

The insulting version of the gesture (with the palm inwards) is often compared to the offensive gesture known as "the finger". The "two-fingered salute", also known as "The Longbowman Salute", "the two", "The Rods", "The Agincourt Salute", and as "The Tongs" in the West of Scotland and "the forks" in Australia, is commonly performed by flicking the V upwards from wrist or elbow. The V sign, when the palm is facing toward the person giving the sign, has long been an insulting gesture in England, and later in the rest of the United Kingdom; though the use of the V sign as an insulting gesture is largely restricted to the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia. It is frequently used to signify defiance (especially to authority), contempt, or derision. The gesture is not used in the United States, and archaic in Australia and New Zealand, where the finger tends to be used in such situations instead.

A commonly repeated legend claims that the two-fingered salute or V sign derives from a gesture made by longbowmen fighting in the English and Welsh army at the Battle of Agincourt (1415) during the Hundred Years' War. According to the story, the French were in the habit of cutting off the arrow-shooting fingers of captured English and Welsh longbowmen, and the gesture was a sign of defiance on the part of the bowmen, showing the enemy that they still had their fingers, or, as a widespread pun puts it, that they could still "pluck yew". The longbow story is of unknown origin, but the "pluck yew" pun is thought to be a definitively false etymology that seems to originate from a 1996 email that circulated the story.

The bowman etymology is unlikely, since no evidence exists of French forces (or any other continental European power) cutting off the fingers of captive bowmen; the standard procedure at the time was to summarily execute all enemy commoners captured on the battlefield (regardless of whether they were bowmen, foot soldiers or merely unarmed auxiliaries) since they had no ransom value, unlike the nobles whose lives could be worth thousands of florins apiece.

The first unambiguous evidence of the use of the insulting V sign in England dates to 1901, when a worker outside Parkgate ironworks in Rotherham used the gesture (captured on the film) to indicate that he did not like being filmed. Peter Opie interviewed children in the 1950s and observed in The Lore and Language of Schoolchildren that the much older thumbing of the nose (cock-a-snook) had been replaced by the V sign as the most common insulting gesture used in the playground.

Desmond Morris discussed various possible origins of the V sign in Gestures: Their Origins and Distribution (published 1979), and came to no definite conclusion:

because of the strong taboo associated with the gesture (its public use has often been heavily penalised). As a result, there is a tendency to shy away from discussing it in detail. It is "known to be dirty" and is passed on from generation to generation by people who simply accept it as a recognised obscenity without bothering to analyse it... Several of the rival claims are equally appealing. The truth is that we will probably never know...

—Desmond Morris

Thumbs up:

Source: http://bernd.wechner.info/Hitchhiking/Thumb/

Few gestures can have a stranger history than the familiar 'thumbs up'. There is no doubt in the popular mind as to its origin. Everyone agrees that it hails from the days of gladiatorial combat in ancient Rome. when a decision had to be made concerning thc fate of a beaten warrior. Peter Quennell, in his book on The Colosseum describes what has now become the generally accepted scenario: 

In the sovereign's presence. thc crowd advised their ruler. Waving cloths and displaying up-turned thumbs, they shouted 'Mitte!' (Let him go free); or, by turning down their thumbs, they vociferated 'lugula!' -- recommending that the fallen man should pay the penalty. When the emperor happened to share their feelings, he confirmed the crowd's verdict ... and ... with polico verso, downturned thumb, ordered his immediate execution.

So, if the defeated gladiator had fought well, he could be spared by a thumbs up gesture. If he had fought badly, he could be slain by a thumbs down. From this specific use of the two thumb signals, it is argued, came our modern usage, with the thumbs up meaning 'all's well -- O.K.'and the thumbs down meaning 'no good -- failure'. This has become the dominant interpretation of the two gestures throughout Europe, and much of the rest of the world. 

What could be simpler? The answer is that it would indeed be a simple derivational explanation, if only it happened to be true. But it is not. The ancient Romans did not behave in the manner ascribed to them, and the whole story of the thumbs up 'approval' sign is based on misunderstanding and mistranslation. It is a complete distortion of the facts, and the true basis for our modern usage comes from a different source altogether. What has happened is that, having acquired our modern thumbs up and down meanings from elsewhere, we have then blatantly re-written Roman history to fit in. 

There are, in reality, no ancient references to the thumbs going either up or down in the Colosseum, at the vital moment of decision. Later authors who have claimed so have simply not understood the Latin phrases. Pollice verso does not mean a down-turned thumb it simply means a turned thumb -- one that is moved in some unspecified way. No particular direction can be assumed. The posture of the thumbs of those wishing to spare the gladiator was pollice compresso -- compressed thumbs. In other words, not thumbs up, but thumbs covered up -- thumbs folded away out of sight. What the spectators did, in fact, was to extend their thumbs for a kill and hide their thumbs for an acquittal. The reason for this is not hard to find. If they wanted the victorious man to plunge in his sword, they mimed the act with their hands, their extended thumbs stabbing the air in encouragement. If they wanted to spare the defeated fighter because he proved himself valiant in battle, they did the opposite of sticking out their thumbs -- they hid them away. This made sense in an arena as vast as the Colosseum, where the kill/no-kill signals would have to he strongly contrasting to he visible at all. 

Thumbs down:

Source: http://wordinfo.info/unit/3735/ip:1/il:K

Thumbs down, signified “swords down,” which meant the loser was worth more to them alive than dead, and he was spared apparently so he could make up for his disgrace the next time he appeared in the arena. Keep this in mind the next time you give someone the “thumbs up” sign.

Our reverse interpretation of this custom apparently was the result of the work of the French artist Léon Gérôme who apparently understood the Latin verso ("turned") to mean "turned down", and therefore in his painting Pollice Verso (1873), he presents the death sentence with the thumbs-down gesture.

The painting became so popular that Gérôme’s mistake became the accepted interpretation and it is unlikely that it will ever be changed back to the meaning that it had with the Romans.

Scholars before Gérôme gave support to the view that “thumbs down” among the Romans, meant the hapless gladiator was to be spared, not slain.

The gesture meant "Throw your sword down". A 1601 translation of Pliny equates the gesture with "assent" or "favor", and John Dryden's 1693 version of Juvenal's Satires gives the thumb being bent back,not down, as the death signal.

Private investors spent enormous sums staging gladiatorial shows, despite attempts by various Roman governments to impose limits. Prisoners of war and slaves were sent to gladiatorial academies for training and then they were hired out for various public and private occasions.

Shaka:

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaka_sign
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2005/Sep/25/ln/FP509250345.html


The shaka sign, sometimes known as "hang loose", is a gesture often associated with Hawaii and surf culture. It consists of extending the thumb and smallest finger while holding the three middle fingers curled, and gesturing in salutation while presenting the front or back of the hand; the hand may be rotated back and forth for emphasis. The shaka sign was adopted from local Hawaiian culture by visiting surfers in the 1960s, and its use has spread around the world.

According to the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, prevailing local lore credited the gesture to Hamana Kalili of Laie, who lost the three middle fingers of his right hand while working at the Kahuku Sugar Mill. Kalili was then shifted to guarding the sugar train, and his all-clear wave of thumb and pinkie is said to have evolved into the shaka as children imitated the gesture.

Another theory relates the origin of the shaka to the Spanish immigrants, who folded their middle fingers and took their thumbs to their lips as a friendly gesture to represent sharing a drink with the natives they met in Hawaii.

Source: http://www.surfertoday.com/surfing/7837-the-history-of-the-famous-surfing-shaka-sign

When the surf culture grew and spread through California and America, during the sunny 1960's, a new body gesture was gaining enthusiasts. Surfers from Hawaii started saluting fellow riders and friends with an original hand sign.

Shaka is physically done by extending the thumb and smallest finger while holding the three middle fingers curled. Rapidly, the original Shaka from Hawaii had an alternative nickname: Hang Loose.

Fortunately, the surf sign prevailed and expanded into Europe, Oceania, Asia and Africa. Shakas were being thrown in more water sports and even in the celebrity circus. When the presidents of the USA send Shakas, the hype is universal.

What's the real meaning of Shaka? In fact, it can mean many positive things. "Hi", "Thank You", "All Right", "See You", "Peace", "Goodbye", "Take Care", "Chill Out" are some of the daily reasons for delivering Shakas.

Interestingly, the surfers' official salutation has a few different meanings in some countries. In China it means "six" and, in Russia, a similar gesture can be an invitation to drink a beer. In some Caribbean islands, it may suggest a sexual contact.

Polynesian researchers know that the word "Shaka" is not of Hawaiian origins. The strongest clue refers to Hamana Kalili of Laie (June 18, 1882 - December 17, 1958), an Hawaiian fisherman from the town of Laie who lost three middle fingers of his right hand, during an accident at the old Kahuku Sugar Mill.

Because he could no longer work in the mill, Hamana became a security guard on the sugar train that used to travel between Sunset Beach and Kaaawa.

Apparently, he was always trying to keep kids off the train, as they jumped into it to ride from town to town. To communicate that the way was clear, these kids would start signaling each other with the future surfers' hand sign.

Fingers crossed:

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossed_fingers

A hand gesture in which the middle finger or either hand is crossed over the top of the index finger of the same hand. Also, a written or spoken phrase associated with the gesture. There is some evidence to suggest that the origins of the gesture are founded in early Christianity, both as a plea for divine protection and as a covert signifier of Christian belief. Modern usage however is almost exclusively secular and considerably more diverse in meaning, including:

• A hand gesture denoting a hope for good luck.
• A verbal wish for luck, as in: "I'll keep my fingers crossed for you".
• A means of nullifying the binding nature of a promise or oath, as in: "You promised!", "I had my fingers crossed so the promise didn't count!". This is predominantly a childish usage.
• A means of allowing or lessening the negative connotations of a lie, as in: "You said your name was Steve, you lied, your name is Paul!", "It doesn't count, I had my fingers crossed!". This is predominantly a childish usage.

To cross one's fingers was a hand gesture commonly used to implore God for protection, as well as to wish for good luck. The gesture is referred to by the common expression "keeping one's fingers crossed" or just "fingers crossed" and has also been historically used in order to allow believers to recognize one another during times of persecution.

In the time of the early Church, Christians would cross their fingers in order to invoke the power associated with the Christian cross for protection, when faced with evil. Moreover, Christians, when persecuted by the Romans, used the symbol of crossed fingers, along with the Ichthys, in order to recognize one another and assemble for worship services. In 16th century England, people continued to cross fingers or make the sign of the cross in order to ward off evil, as well as when people coughed or sneezed.

Source: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-origin-of-crossing-your-fingers-for-luck.htm

When it began, the act of crossing fingers was probably a two person process. A Christian would extend his or her hand with the index finger and thumb forming an L shape and another Christian would do the same. When their thumbs were pressed together and index fingers crossed, this would form the shape of the Christian fish symbol. Over the years, the signs of the cross and fish came to stand for good luck and blessings, as well as Christianity.

While the process of crossing your fingers for luck may have been around for centuries, it required the actions of two people. Sometimes, an individual needs that extra luck when there isn't another person around, however. The evolution of the gesture was inevitable as people developed ways of crossing fingers — and commanding their fortunes — independently.

The modern version of crossing your fingers probably came into existence during the time of the Hundred Years War. In this epic war between France and England, which lasted from 1337 to 1457, the rival armies wanted all the luck they could muster. The archer preparing to make a shot would have crossed his fingers and then said a prayer before pulling the bowstring.

Devil Horns:

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sign_of_the_horns

In Italy and some Mediterranean cultures, when confronted with unfortunate events, or simply when these events are mentioned, the sign of the horns may be given to ward off bad luck. It is also used traditionally to counter or ward off the "evil eye" (malocchio). With fingers down, it is a common apotropaic gesture, by which superstitious people seek protection in unlucky situations (It is a more Mediterranean equivalent of knocking on wood).

Ronnie James Dio was known for popularizing the sign of the horns in heavy metal. He claimed his Italian grandmother used it to ward off the evil eye (which is known in Southern Italy as malocchio). Dio began using the sign soon after joining the metal band Black Sabbathin 1979. The previous singer in the band, Ozzy Osbourne, was rather well known at using the "peace" sign at concerts, raising the index and middle finger in the form of a V. Dio, in an attempt to connect with the fans, wanted to similarly use a hand gesture. However, not wanting to copy Osbourne, he chose to use the sign his grandmother always made. The horns became famous in metal concerts very soon after Black Sabbath's first tour with Dio. The sign would later be appropriated by heavy metal fans under the name "maloik", a corruption of the original malocchio.

Source:
http://thedaily23.blogspot.co.uk/2010/04/is-sign-of-horns-hand-gesture-satanic.html

Made by formed by extending the index and little fingers while holding the middle and ring fingers down with the thumb, the gesture is known as the "devil horns," the "goat horns," "throwing the goat," and simply "the horns." It is also known as the mano cornuto ("hand" + "horn"), a popular hand gesture traditionally used in Mediterreanean countries, especially Italy, as both a vulgar gesture and a protection against curses and evil.

But is it possible that the origins of the mano cornuto might also lie in the mudrās – sacred hand gestures – of Hinduism and Buddhism. The Karana mudrā looks exactly like the corna except the thumb does not hold down the middle and ring finger. It is supposed to expel demons.

But there are still other explanations for the cornuto/"devil horns" gesture. For example, the gesture for "I Love You" in sign-language looks identical to the Karana mudrā.

The Illuminologist view regarding the Sign of the Horns is accurate on several counts. It has been used in conjunction with Satanism and Satanic themes, as we see both in the case of Coven and Church of Satan founder Anton LaVey (who has been depicted at least several times making the gesture). The mano cornuto and Karana mudrā both have origins that are either occult, pagan, or rooted in Eastern mysticism – but they are also signs traditionally used to keep away evil, not attract it.

Clenched fist:

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clenched_fist

The raised fist (also known as the clenched fist) is a symbol of solidarity and support. It is also used as a salute to express unity, strength, defiance, or resistance. The salute dates back to ancient Assyria as a symbol of resistance in the face of violence.

Assyrian depictions of the goddess Ishtar show her raising a clenched fist. A raised fist was used as a logo by the Industrial Workers of the World in 1917. The graphic symbol was popularized in 1948 by Taller de Gráfica Popular, a print shop in Mexico that used art to advance revolutionary social causes. The symbol has been picked up and incorporated around the world by various groups fighting oppression.

The image gallery shows how a raised fist is used in visual communication. Combined with another graphic element, a raised fist is used to conveypolysemous gestures and opposing forces. Depending on the elements combined, the meaning of the gesture changes in tone and intention. For example, a hammer and sickle combined with a raised fist is part of communist symbolism, while the same fist combined with a Venus symbol represents Feminism, and combined with a book, it represents librarians.

Different movements sometimes use different terms to describe the raised fist salute: amongst communists and socialists, it is sometimes called the red salute, whereas amongst black rights activists, especially in the United States of America it has been called the Black Power salute. During the Spanish Civil War, it was sometimes known as the anti-fascist salute. The traditional version of the salute, originally a symbol of the broader workers' movement, became associated with the parties of the Comintern during the 1920s and 1930s. Since the Trotskyists were forced out of the Comintern, some Trotskyists have made a point of strictly raising the left fist in the tradition of the Left Opposition. Some anarchists also prefer the left fist to denote their libertarian socialist opposition to Marxism.

The clenched fist gesture is sometimes mistakenly thought to have originated in the Spanish Civil War, where the Popular Front salute was at one time the standard salute of Republican forces. A letter from the Spanish Civil War stated: "...the raised fist which greets you in Salud is not just a gesture—it means life and liberty being fought for and a greeting of solidarity with the democratic peoples of the world."

The Rotfrontkämpferbund paramilitary organization of Communist Party of Germany used the salute before World War II.

At the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, medal winners John Carlos and Tommie Smith gave the raised fist salute during the American national anthem as a sign of black power, and as a protest on behalf of the Olympic Project for Human Rights. For this, they were banned from further Olympic activities. The event was one of the most overtly political statements in the history of the modern Olympic Games. Tommie Smith stated in his autobiography, "Silent Gesture", that the salute was not a Black Power salute, but in fact ahuman rights salute.

Source: 
http://www.docspopuli.org/articles/Fist.html

The human hand has been used in art from the very beginnings, starting with stunning examples in Neolithic cave paintings. Early examples of the fist in graphic art can be found at least as far back as 1917, with another example from Mexico in 1948. Fist images, in some form, were used in numerous political graphic genres, including the French and Soviet revolutions, the United States Communist Party, and the Black Panther Party for Self-defense. However, these all followed an iconographic convention. The fist was always part of something - holding a tool or other symbol, part of an arm or human figure, or shown in action (smashing, etc.). 

Vulcan Salute:

Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulcan_salute

The Vulcan salute is a hand gesture consisting of a raised hand, palm forward with the fingers parted between the middle and ring finger, and the thumb extended. Often, the famous phrase "live long and prosper" is said after it. The salute was devised and popularised by Leonard Nimoy, who portrayed the half-Vulcan character Mr. Spock on the original Star Trek television series in the late 1960s.

The Vulcan salute first appeared in 1967 on the Star Trek second season opening episode, "Amok Time". The gesture famously has a reputation for being difficult for some people to make without practice or the covert pre-positioning of the fingers, and actors on the original show reportedly had to position their fingers off-screen with the other hand before raising their hand into frame. This reputation may stem from variations in individuals' manual dexterity.

Salute forms the Hebrew letter Shin, the use of the Blessing Hands gesture on Jewish gravestones and jewelry, etc.

The priestly blessing or priestly benediction, (Hebrew: ברכת כהנים‎; translit. birkat kohanim), also known as raising of the hands (Hebrew nesiat kapayim), or Dukhanen (from the Yiddish word dukhan - platform - because the blessing is given from a raised rostrum), is a Jewish prayer recited by Kohanim during certain Jewish services. It is based on a scriptural verse: "They shall place My name upon the children of Israel, and I Myself shall bless them."

During the course of the blessing, the hands of the Kohanim are spread out over the congregation, with the fingers of both hands separated so as to make five spaces between them; the spaces are (1) between the ring finger and middle finger of each hand, (2) between the index finger and thumb of each hand, and (3) the two thumbs touch each other at the knuckle and the aperture is the space above or below the touching knuckles.

The Kohen raises his hands, with the palms facing downward and the thumbs of his outspread hands touching. The four fingers on each hand are sometimes split into two sets of two fingers each (thus forming the letter Shin (שׁ), an emblem for Shaddai, "Almighty [God]"), or sometimes they are arranged to form an overlapping lattice of 'windows.' This ceremony is sometimes called Nesiat Kapayim, the "lifting of the hands." The Jewish tradition states the Divine Presence would shine through the fingers of the priests as they blessed the people, and no one was allowed to look at this out of respect for God.

Peace:

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_sign

The V sign (U+270C ✌ victory hand in Unicode) is a hand gesture in which the index and middle fingers are raised and parted, while the other fingers are clenched. It has various meanings, depending on the cultural context and how it is presented. It is most commonly used to represent the letter "V" as in "victory," especially by Allied troops during World War II.

On January 14, 1941, Victor de Laveleye, former Belgian Minister of Justice and director of the Belgian French-speaking broadcasts on the BBC (1940–1944), suggested in a broadcast that Belgians use a V for victoire (French: “victory”) and vrijheid (Dutch: "freedom") as a rallying emblem during World War II. In the BBC broadcast, de Laveleye said that "the occupier, by seeing this sign, always the same, infinitely repeated, [would] understand that he is surrounded, encircled by an immense crowd of citizens eagerly awaiting his first moment of weakness, watching for his first failure." Within weeks chalked up Vs began appearing on walls throughout Belgium, the Netherlands, and northern France.

Buoyed by this success, the BBC started the "V for Victory" campaign, for which they put in charge the assistant news editor Douglas Ritchie posing as “Colonel Britton”. Ritchie suggested an audible V using its Morse code rhythm (three dots and a dash). As the rousing opening bars of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony had the same rhythm, the BBC used this as its call-sign in its foreign language programmes to occupied Europe for the rest of the war. The more musically educated also understood that it was the Fate motif "knocking on the door" of the Third Reich. The BBC also encouraged the use of the V gesture introduced by de Laveleye.

By July 1941, the emblematic use of the letter V had spread through occupied Europe. On July 19, Prime Minister Winston Churchill referred approvingly to the V for Victory campaign in a speech, from which point he started using the V hand sign. Early on he sometimes gestured palm in (sometimes with a cigar between the fingers). Later in the war, he used palm out. After aides explained to Churchill what the palm in gesture meant to other classes, he made sure to use the appropriate sign. Other allied leaders used the sign as well; since 1942, Charles de Gaulle used the V sign in every speech until 1969.

A-ok:

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-ok

In Finland, it is used to celebrate ending of the national service. In underwater diving, it widely means both Are you okay?, and its response Yes, I'm OK, or just I'm OK. It can be confusing for beginners, because using the thumbs up gesture rather than the A-ok gesture signals that the person making that gesture wants to ascend (to the surface).

In Chinese number gestures, it is the hand gesture for the number three

While the gesture is positive in some countries, in certain parts of middle and southern Europe (although not in Spain or Portugal) the gesture is considered offensive, as in you are a zero or you are nothing. In some Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, as well as in Brazil, it represents vulgar expressions: either an insult (you are an asshole), or the slang for anus itself. By the same symbolism, it stands for (faggot) in several South American countries.

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