The V sign is a hand gesture in which the first and second fingers are raised and parted, whilst the remaining fingers are clenched, palm facing outwards. Originally considered a "Victory" sign (for V as in victory), it also is used to mean "Peace", a meaning that became popular in the United States during the peace movement of the 1960s.

Supposed origins

According to a popular myth the two-fingers salute and/or V sign derives from the gestures of longbowmen fighting in the English army at the Battle of Agincourt during the Hundred Years' War. The story claims that, before the battle, the French boasted that they would cut two fingers off the right hand of captured archers and that the gesture was a sign of defiance after the greatly outnumbered English won the battle. (This false etymology has also given rise to an alternative name for the gesture, which can also be known as flicking an "archer's salute" or just an "archer's"). However medieval warriors had no interest in capturing common archers that could not be held for ransom, preferring instead to simply kill such prisoners. [1] Furthermore, mutilating a prisoner to stop them from using a bow wouldn't make sense, since killing them would stop them from ever serving the enemy again. There is also the fact that accounts from the period make no reference to the French mutilating their prisoners by cutting off their fingers. [2] (The first definitive known reference to the V sign is in the works of François Rabelais, a French satirist of the 1500s. [3])

The same story has circulated in the US as a supposed explanation for the use of the middle finger as an obscenity, with the added flourish that the slang term for the sign, "flipping/giving the bird," has something to do with feathers on arrows. This is untrue, as the middle-finger sign dates at least to ancient Rome and symbolizes a penis [4]; "giving the bird" dates to 1800s British theatrical slang, meaning to be driven off stage by goose-like hisses, and was apparently linked to the middle-finger sign by US military pilots in the 1960s. [5]

The belief that the V sign originated among archers might have its origin in the work of the historian Jean Froissart (c. 1337-c. 1404), who died before the Battle of Agincourt took place. In his "Chronicles," he recounts a story of the English waving their fingers at the French during a siege of a castle, however he makes no reference to which fingers were used meaning that this is not evidence of the origin of the V sign.

Winston Churchill and the victory sign

Winston Churchill used a V sign in both versions to symbolize "V for Victory" during World War II. Early on in the war he used palm in (sometimes with a cigar between the fingers).^[1] Later in the war he used palm out.^[2] It is thought that the aristocratic Churchill made the change after it was explained to him what it signified to the other classes in Britain. He developed the idea from a BBC campaign.

During World War II, Victor de Lavelaye suggested that Belgians, who were chalking up the letters RAF, should add a V for vrijheid (Dutch for "freedom"). V also stands for victoire, the French for "victory" (hence Charles de Gaulle used it in every speech from 1942~1969)^[3]. This idea was developed by the BBC and on July 20 1941 a campaign was launched with a message from Churchill for occupied Europe.^[4]. The Channel islanders also joined in the Churchill's V sign campaign by daubing the letter 'V' (for Victory) over German signs.

Douglas Ritchie of the BBC European Service, suggested an audible V using the Morse code rhythm — three dots and a dash. This is the rhythm of the opening bars of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony (fifth can also be written as V^th), and it was used as the call-sign by the BBC in its foreign language programmes to occupied Europe for the rest of the war. The irony that they were composed by a German was not lost on many of the audience or for the more musically educated that it was "Fate knocking on the door" of the Third Reich. (Listen to this call-sign. (helpinfo))

A rhythm similar to that of the Morse V rhythm is featured prominently in the bass line for the Clash song London Calling. The song's title was taken from the BBC World Service's station identification.

Vietnam War, victory and peace

U.S. President Richard Nixon used it to signal victory, an act which became one of his best-known trademarks. He also used it on his departure from public office following his resignation in 1974.

A similar sign was used in protests against the Vietnam War (and subsequent anti-war protests) and by the counterculture as a sign of peace, including the sense of not war. Because the hippies of the day often flashed this sign (palm out) while vocalizing "Peace", it became popularly known (through association) as the peace sign. Originally, however, its symbolic meaning was love; signing "love" and saying "peace" was a hippie anthem and mutual greeting.

Japan and the V sign

During the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, figure skater Janet Lynn stumbled into Japanese pop culture when she fell during a free-skate period—but continued to smile even as she sat on the ice. Though she placed only 3rd in the actual competition, her cheerful diligence and indefatigability resonated with many Japanese viewers, making her an overnight celebrity in Japan. Afterwards, Lynn (a peace activist) was repeatedly seen flashing the V sign in the Japanese media. Though the V sign was known of in Japan prior to Lynn's use of it there (from the post-WWII Allied occupation of Japan), she is credited by some Japanese for having popularized its use in amateur photographs.

Through the 1970s and 1980s in Japan, the V sign was often accompanied by a vocalization: "piisu!" This gairaigo exclamation, which stood for "peace", has since fallen into disuse, though the V sign itself remains steadfastly popular. It is especially popular in photography, as it is a favorite pose of both teens and adults - in Japan, China and elsewhere in Asia.

The V sign is also commonly used in anime and Japanese live-action shows. When characters show this sign, it is often accompanied by an exclamation of "Vui!" (pronounced /vɯi/ or /bɯi/), an approximation of the English pronunciation "vee" which differentiates it from "bii", the Japanese name of the letter B (as many Japanese speakers hear the voiced labiodental fricative as being the same as the voiced bilabial plosive, see Engrish). A more common phrase is "kachi" which means victory (V for Victory) or luck. Several anime characters incorporate the V sign into their poses, including Ash Ketchum of Pokémon fame, both Sailor Moon and Sailor V, as well as video game characters such as Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog.

Due to Japanese cultural influences in the region, the V sign in photographs has become popular with young people throughout East Asia and Southeast Asia.

Former Yugoslavia

During the Yugoslav wars, the V sign was widely used by the Bosnians and Croatians as a victory/defiance sign. For Croatians it represents the bravery and hope. This was brought about as a reaction to the Serbian three finger salute often raised by the Serbs.

The V sign as an insult

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", or "bowfinger", as it is also known, is commonly performed by flicking the V upwards from wrist or elbow. "The finger" is traceable to Roman times [6], but may be unrelated in origin, as the insulting V sign is largely restricted to the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. United States president George H. W. Bush, attempting to give the "peace sign", once gave the insulting V sign to onlookers while touring Australia, unaware of what it meant to Australians^[5].

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, as well as in Ireland and parts of France. It is frequently used to signify defiance (particularly of authority), contempt or derision and is often accompanied by the obscene phrase 'fuck off'. A perfect illustration of its use can be seen in the famous poster (and, more recently, the DVD cover) of Ken Loach's film Kes.

As an example of the V sign (palm inward) as an insult, on November 1, 1990, The Sun, a popular British tabloid, ran an article on its front page with the headline "Up Yours, Delors" next to a large hand making a V sign protruding from a Union flag cuff. The Sun urged its readers to stick two fingers up at then-President of the European Commission Jacques Delors, who had suggested that more European integration might be a good thing. The article attracted a number of complaints about its alleged racism, but the now-defunct Press Council rejected the complaints after the editor of the Sun stated that the paper reserved the right to use vulgar abuse in the interests of Britain. [7] [8]

For a time in the UK "a Harvey (Smith)" became a way of describing the insulting version of the V sign, much as "the word of Cambronne" is used in France, or "the Trudeau salute" is used to describe the one-fingered salute in Canada. This happened because in 1971, show-jumper Harvey Smith was disqualified for making a televised V sign to the judges after winning the British Show Jumping Derby at Hickstead (Smith's win was reinstated two days later).

Gesturing in such a way is sometimes known as "The two fingered salute", "Flipping the Vs" or "Flicking the Vs" in certain parts of the UK. This is most likely due to a popular method of delivery in which the gesture is made with the knuckles first facing towards the floor and then rapidly flipped up so that the outer knuckles are facing the target of the insult.

The insulting V sign can also be combined with the bent elbow, creating a compound gesture with the intensity and vulgarity of both components.

Current usage

The gesture has varying meanings depending on the context or culture.

• Victory – the original meaning, sometimes using both hands, or upraised arms
• Peace or Friend – used by peace groups, counter-culture, from Chicago to Tiananmen Square, V behind head for a photo "solid friend".
• The number 2 – American Sign Language, used in noisy settings, as in a restaurant.

Similar gestures

• Palm facing the signer
• Insulting – largely restricted to the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.
• Peace – in the United States without respect to the direction. Sometimes used as an informal valediction.
• Used with other movement:
• Air quotes – flexing fingers, palm out, both hands.
• The letter V, in ASL – [9] used when spelling.
• Military use – in military operations, in silent mode, the signer points to his eyes and then to a location, meaning "Look there", or "I see.." when followed by another gesture; e.g., the number and/or location of enemy personnel.
• "Eye to Eye" – pointing the fingers at the signer's eyes, then to the eyes of another. This means the two understand one another. Alternately, if followed by pointing the index finger at the other person, with eye contact, means: "I'm watching you."
• "Vehicle Use" – when the recipient of the sign is in a vehicle, pointing the fingers at the signer's eyes informs the driver that either the headlights of the vehicle are on, or to turn them off, or both.
• "Full Power" – in US Naval Aviation, two fingers shaken rapidly back and forth directs a pilot to set engines to maximum thrust; used just prior to a catapult launch.
• Special location:
• Bunny ears – used with palm near someone's head, from behind, indicates friendship or partner, as folklore of the American Cowboy as did the Lone Ranger and Tonto, who wore two feathers in a V. Typically for a friendly photograph. Sometimes this gesture is performed discreetly to mock the other person in the photo, with either friendly or unfriendly intentions.
• In Italy, Spain and Portugal, raising the two fingers behind someone's head can sign ears of a burro (a metaphor for friend).
• Cunnilingus – insulting, holding the fingers in front of one's lips, as if performing the action.

Famous users of the gesture

In America (Victory)

• Michael Jackson - both as a gesture of peace and victory (after the singer's molestation trial). http://www.cbc.ca/cp/entertainment/070304/e030402A.html
• Eve Ensler's feminist V-Day movement uses this handshape.

In the United Kingdom

• Liam Gallagher
• John Lennon
• Ozzy Osbourne
• Pete Doherty
• Alf Garnett

In France (Victoire)

• Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French Forces during World War II and two time President of the French Republic, to close each of his public speeches.
• Jean-Marie Le Pen, leader of the French National Party in all public speeches, mimicing Charles de Gaulle's use.

In Mexico (Victoria)

• Vicente Fox Quesada, used in the 2000 Mexican Election, with the slogan "Ya Ganamos" (We´ve already won).
• Rigo Tovar, famous Mexican cumbia singer used the V sign throughout his life, so much that in Mexico anyone using this gesture is often referred to as "Rigo". A statue in his native Matamoros, Tamaulipas is shown giving the V sign as a symbol of peace.

In fiction (Victory)

• Ash Ketchum after catching a Pokémon or winning a gym battle.
• Verizon Wireless early ad campaigns.

Other

• In Unicode, the V sign "Victory Hand" symbol is U+270C (_✌).

References

• Desmond Morris with Peter Collett, Peter Marsh and Marie O'Shaughnessy. Gestures: Their Origins and Distribution. London: Jonathan Cape, 1979. ISBN 0-224-01570-2; NY: Stein and Day, ISBN 0-8128-2607-8

Further reading

• Photos of the V sign:
• Churchill Outside no. 10
• Churchill Victory Sign
• Nixon departing office
• An Iraqi woman after casting her vote at a polling station in Baghdad, in 2005
• Paavo Väyrynen after Finnish Centre party named him foreign trade and development minister
• The V sign in the news:
• Guardian June 6, 2002: In pictures the V sign
• Sky News June 18, 2004: OAP fined £100 for V sign
• Urban Legends Reference Pages: pluck yew
• Desmond Morris book list

Footnotes

•  • [ e] Gestures
Friendly gestures	A-ok Air kiss Big up Cheek kissing Dap greeting Thumbs up Fist pound Namaste High five
Formal gestures	Bowing Curtsey Hand-kissing Genuflection
Salutes	Salute Bellamy salute Final Salute Hitler salute Roman salute Royal Salute Scout sign and salute Three-finger salute Two-fingers salute
Celebration gestures	Applause Fist pump Gig 'em Aggies High five Hook 'em Horns
Obscene gestures	Bowfinger Corna Finger Mooning Shocker Moutza
Other	Air quotes Anasyrma Articulatory gestures Crossed fingers Gang signal Hand gesture Head bobble Jazz hands Lock and fly Manual communication Mudra Nod Poke Pollice verso Puppy face Raised fist Shaka sign Shrug Sign of the cross Thai greeting Type of gesture Varadamudra V sign Vulcan salute War Chant
List of gestures