To cross one's fingers is a hand gesture commonly used to wish for luck or to bid one Godspeed. Early Christians used the gesture to implore the protection of the Holy Cross.Orange Coast Magazine. Emmis Communications. May 1990. pg. 177. "In early Christian days, a believer confronted by evil or hostile influences implored the power of the Holy Cross for protection by twisting his middle finger over his forefinger and holding the remaining fingers down with his thumb." The gesture is referred to by the common expressions "cross your fingers", "keep your fingers crossed", or just "fingers crossed". Historically, the gesture was accompanied by the words "God spede you" or "God be with you."
The gesture was appropriated by children when telling a white lie.Field Guide to Gestures. Quirk Books. 2003. pg. 201. "Children are a big proponent of this gesture, though they usually use it when telling white lies, believing that having the fingers crossed behind the back makes it okay to fib." By extension, a similar belief is that crossing one's fingers invalidates a promise being made.
Origin The crossed fingers gesture is believed to have originated with its resemblance to the Cross of Christ. Christians believe that "they could protect themselves from evil by making a cross with their fingers" (cf. sacramental). It gained traction, especially in 16th-century England, where people crossed their fingers to ward off evils and ill health.
Related gestures
In Vietnam the gesture is considered rude, especially to another person.
In German-speaking countries (:de:Gekreuzte Finger), as well as Sweden (:wikt:sv:hålla tummarna) and Latvia, the gesture is a sign of lying. Instead, wishing for luck is gestured by holding or pressing one’s thumbs. The same gesture is used in many Slavic countries such as Poland (:pl:Trzymanie kciuków), the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria and ex-Yugoslav republics. In South Africa, Afrikaans speakers also have the related phrase "duim vashou" meaning "holding thumbs tightly".
In pre-Christian Western Europe, a related gesture had two people crossing their index fingers to form a cross, which represented perfect unity; this gesture was used to make wishes.
See also Benediction God bless you Orans Sacramentals Sfiga Holding thumbs
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