Crossed fingers

To cross one's fingers is a hand gesture commonly used to wish for luck. Early Christians used the gesture to implore the protection of the Holy Cross. The gesture is referred to by the common expressions "cross your fingers", "keep your fingers crossed", or just "fingers crossed".

The use of the gesture is often considered by children as an excuse for telling a white lie. 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. It gained traction, especially in 16th-century England, where people crossed their fingers to ward off evils and ill health.

The practice of crossing fingers for luck or protection against misfortune is deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric of the UK and parts of Scandinavia. Interestingly, this tradition is less familiar in mainland Europe. Its earliest documented reference is from 1912, linked to the superstition surrounding ladders. Remarkably, the crossed fingers gesture persists in school playgrounds, where it serves as a symbolic shield against perceived threats.

Crossed fingers remain a widely recognized and practised symbol, showing the enduring nature of cultural superstitions and protective rituals. The symbol is used as the logo of the UK National Lottery.

Related gestures
In Vietnam the gesture is considered rude, especially to another person. Referring to female genitals, it is comparable to the middle finger in American culture.

In German-speaking countries and also Sweden and Latvia the gesture is a sign of lying. Instead, wishing for luck is gestured by holding thumbs. The same gesture is used in many Slavic countries such as Poland, 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.