► However, both the theory suggests it was a two person’s job, unlike today where we practice solo finger crossing. Send questions to Cecil via cecil@straightdope.com. 14.11.201714.11.2017 By . Fingers Crossed. If you are awaiting an important phone call and you find yourself sitting by the phone with your fingers crossed, it simply means that you are hoping for some good news. It is further stated that this common act is not practiced in Buddhist and Muslim cultures. As with the Sign of the Cross, the Fingers Crossed action is used when the person feels the need for good luck, courage or protection. The theory of a Christian origin of crossing your fingers is based on early periods in the religion's history. blessing. Many say “fingers crossed” or “I have my fingers crossed for you,”. In German-speaking countries and also Sweden the gesture is a sign of lying. ► Second theory may or may not be true but few historians vouch for this reason. We are also discrediting the negative implications of lying, or legitimize … One of the Ten Commandments “Do not testify falsely against your neighbor”. United Kingdom’s National lottery, Virginia lottery in the United States, and Oregon lottery use the crossed fingers gesture as their logo. These cookies do not store any personal information. Most people accept that crossing fingers is a silly superstition, yet is it very common, in both action and even uttering "Fingers crossed".. Copyright © Mysticurious & Buzzle.com, Inc. Meaning: To wish for luck. The same gesture is used in many Slavic countries such as Poland,[11] the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria and ex-Yugoslav[12] republics. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. They believed in \"sacred geometry\" and believed that benevolent spirits resided in the intersections of crosses. The actual gesture, which does not have to accompany the phrase, involves crossing one's middle finger over the index finger as a superstition believed to bring good luck or ward off bad luck. ► It has a very simple and straightforward meaning. Most judges felt that while they could pass a sentence of death upon a person, they personally did not have the authority to destroy souls and that only God had the authority to do that. Some theories indicate that the origin of crossing the fingers dates as far back as the fourteenth century. Courts of Mosaic law would often render verdicts with the phrase "May God have mercy upon your soul" to reaffirm God's supreme authority over the law. Occasionally it is interpreted as an attempt to implore God for protection. This was based on the pagan belief that the powerful symbol of cross and its point of intersection housed the beneficent spirits. This symbol was approved as part of Unicode 9.0 in 2016 and added to Emoji 3.0 in 2016. Fingers crossed is an idiom with its roots in early Christianity. [2] By extension, a similar belief is that crossing one's fingers invalidates a promise being made.[3]. Originally, in pre-Christian era, there was a custom which involved two people intersecting their index fingers when making a wish in order to form a cross. Interestingly, the act of crossing one’s fingers in this manner is often secretly employed by children when telling a lie. This post will help you uncover the same and also explain why this gesture is used while lying! The meaning is universally accepted as being wishing good luck, but so far I have had absolutely no luck in ascertaining the origin. Crossed fingers are an ancient European superstition. 7 Crossed Fingers. The earliest use of the gesture had two people crossing their index fingers in order to form a cross. Parties keep fingers crossed over the choice of intellectuals, employees . Imagine this situation. The tradition of crossing your fingers is very common, you will notice a kid crossing his fingers behind his back while lying to his parent. Because of this, followers were forced into secrecy and they developed signs and certain symbols which helped them to acknowledge each other. fingers crossed phrase. Commonly used as a gesture indicating luck, or to show desire of a favorable outcome. Secondly, by crossing the index and the middle fingers, one was forming an X, not indicating the pagan cross anymore, but rather the Scottish cross of St. Andrew. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. In the pre-Christian era, crosses symbolized power and unity (for example, the Solar Cross, although there were many other variations of crosses at that time), and the middle of the cross … But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. This superstition and the phrase are widespread. It turns out however, that people have been crossing their fingers for far longer. A group of historians were of the view that it has been used during the pre-Christianity Pagan belief in Western Europe. Some theories indicate that the origin of crossing the fingers dates as far back as the fourteenth century. Some say that the gesture first appeared in pre-Christian Europe. counselor. Fingers Crossed Meaning What Does “Fingers Crossed” Mean? The gesture is referred to by the common expressions "cross your fingers", "keep your fingers crossed", or just "fingers crossed". Each member would make this shape, with their thumbs touching and crossing their index fingers. If you are awaiting an important phone call and you find yourself sitting by the phone with your fingers crossed, it simply means that you are hoping for some good news. When the war was fought between countries, soldiers required protection and a little luck, crossing fingers with other soldiers was not feasible, hence the solo finger crossing. Crossed fingers was one of those signs, crossed fingers sign was different back then. Need to translate "fingers crossed" to German? The earliest use of the gesture had two people crossing their index fingers to form a cross. It is also followed by somebody who is lying thinking that this cross will save them from going to hell. Definition of fingers crossed in the Idioms Dictionary. We are also discrediting the negative implications of lying, or legitimize … There are two main theories regarding the origins of finger-crossing for luck. Originally forming the fingers in a cross like shape to ward off evil. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. In Vietnam the gesture is considered rude,[9][10] especially to another person. Oxford Dictionary of English Idioms. Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)...right to your inbox. It dates back to the time when Christians had to lie about following Christianity, when the religion was banned often with death as a penalty. The Difference Between Esoteric and Exoteric Teachings, Love, Will, Intuition & Insight: Signs of Psychic Ability or Skills. Because if you do so, it is highly unlikely that she will reject you. ► Some people cross their fingers behind their back while promising something, it implies that you don’t need to stick to your promise. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Posted by Andrew Brand on May 29, 2000. ► The origin of crossing fingers when lying is more confusing, but it is thought that this practice has its roots in Christianity. HAND WITH INDEX AND MIDDLE FINGERS CROSSED, "Things not to do in Vietnam #1: "Crossed fingers, "Vietnamese body language and what it means", Polish-language Wikipedia: trzymanie kciuków, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Crossed_fingers&oldid=991564017, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 30 November 2020, at 18:45. The one person makes the wish, the other empathizes and supports. The act of crossing one's fingers mainly belongs to Christianity. Originally, the person locked fingers with another to form a cross (an X, like the Scottish cross of St. Andrew) and wish good luck. Learn more. Fingers crossed: Meaning, Origin and synonyms. Crossed fingers Last updated January 23, 2020 Crossed fingers. consist Shall your friends at a test win in a competition or run an operation successfully, it also suppresses like determines the thumb. fingers crossed. In the pre-Christian era, crosses symbolized power and unity (for example, the Solar Cross, although there were many other variations of crosses at that time), and … Customs like this one, which once were religious, are often evolved but still remain commonplace and that’s why we still cross our fingers when wishing for good luck. The pagans believed that a cross was a symbol of good luck. While its origin is rather confusing, it is said that this hand gesture was developed in the early Christianity era. [7], Common usage of the gesture traces back to the early centuries of the Christian Church, and likely earlier. Oxford: Oxford U, 2010. An idiom is a figure of speech that is a word, group of words or phrase that has a figurative meaning that is not easily deduced from its literal definition. "Fingers crossed" isn't just a common expression (or our favorite emoji).It's one of the most popular and enduring superstitions still used today. SDStaff Dex, Straight Dope Science Advisory Board . While its origin is rather confusing, it is said that this hand gesture was developed in the early Christianity era. Courts of Mosaic law would often render verdicts with the phrase "May God have mercy upon your soul" to reaffirm God's supreme authority over the law. We cross our fingers or even just say “fingers crossed” in hopes of “good luck”. ► In China, crossing the index and middle finger forms the number ten, which looks exactly like the Chinese and Japanese written symbol for the number ten. Fingers crossed is an idiom used to express the expectation that something will happen in a good way as you want them to. It really works or not for that we are lying origin is rather confusing, but is... Unicode 9.0 in 2016 and added to emoji 3.0 in 2016 and added to emoji in! Will save them from going to hell the shape of “ L ” widely and is to! 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