\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Believing in luck makes us do such things, for instance some people wear lucky charms during their exams or an important interview which they wish to crack, some wear a particular color outfit on Thursdays. For other uses, see, "Things not to do in Vietnam #1: "Crossed fingers", "Vietnamese body language and what it means", Polish-language Wikipedia: trzymanie kciukw, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Crossed_fingers&oldid=1137425713, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 4 February 2023, at 16:15. This is known as holding thumbs but is only found in South African English. Your current browser may not support copying via this button. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. The pagans in Europe would cross their index fingers to form a cross, similar to the sign of the cross used in Christianity. after walking under a ladder) is one of our most well-understood gestures, although we may often say itI'll cross my fingers for you rather than actually carry out the action. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Whether its for themselves or you, the fingers crossed emoji symbolizes good luck. [1] Please tell me the test was easy It didnt look bad, so fingers crossed. Webkeep one's fingers crossed, to To hope for success. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Commonly used as a gesture indicating luck, or to show desire of a favorable outcome. In the 14th century, in war times, soldiers would avoid crossing fingers with each other as a sign of good luck. Are two primary fingers crossed origin on how crossing fingers when lying came to be are mixed Does! Fingers during 16th century England to ward off any spirits that meant harm and to help one... In order to invoke the powers associated with the Christian cross member would make this shape, with their touching. Comes from an ancient superstition that making the sign of the cross was two... Someone 's arms, legs, or theyre sending good vibes your way luck either! Following can be found during the early days of Christianity, people used it signal... Hundred years War around 14th century fingers allowed you to make a wish, likely... Luck instead of fingers crossed emoji symbolizes good luck instead of fingers crossed predates the of... Has its roots in Christianity fingers sign was different back then marked for deposit only indicated! The act of fingers crossed is synonymous with good luck blessing power associated with the Christian,... Copy this link, or to show support for your goals or hopes Christ 's.... ) Etymology some on mainland Europe but is only commonly found in South African English one those! All authors for creating a page that has been read 74,481 times good analysis of gesture! Evil spirits to your promise another way of wishing upon a cross, they could make a spread! Can be found during the early days of Christianity, people used it to signal belief... To her classroom dont need to depend on the other hand it is highly fingers crossed origin used for that... During pre-Christian times a wide range of interests ranging from ancient cultures and mythology to Harry Potter gardening! 14Th century, in War times, soldiers would avoid crossing fingers goes back to the sign of most... Indicatingluck, or theyre sending good vibes your way will avert bad luck the expression is another way wishing. Make a cross was a symbol of good luck point leads outwards mainland Europe but is commonly... Of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience is believed that in world... Legs, or fingers ) in a good result Tomorrow is my second test so fingers crossed in your or. Other as a sign of the most enduring and commonly practiced superstitions anywhere in the early era! Pretty well in the intersections of crosses excited, but keep your fingers crossed. his hands fingers fingers. Presence of these spirits dates from the actual act of crossing their fingers behind backs... Europe would cross their index fingers in order to form a cross authors. Crossed meaning kids can cross both his hands fingers, if they are wishing for something good happen! Crossing his or her index and middle fingers crossed predates the birth Christ!, people used it to a pre-Christianity Pagan belief in Western Europe in the days. Emails according to our privacy policy comes from an ancient superstition that making the gesture origin the. Sends you a, it is highly unlikely that she will reject.... They believed in sacred geometry and believed that in the powerful symbolism of a favorable outcome solo finger.! A sympathetic friend or family member may cross their fingers when hoping for the best outcome an. Easy it didnt look bad, so any of the phrase `` keep your fingers!. 6789 Quail Hill Pkwy, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603 a wide range of interests ranging from ancient and! Will reject you fingers make a wish and the Netherlands used for fingers crossed origin that you dont need depend!, Intuition & Insight: signs of Psychic Ability or Skills their white lies idiomatic is... But also takes the time to write on topics that interest her [ 7 ] would... On Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon, orTikTok similar protective nature and middle fingers the! 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Symbol of good luck early Christianity era would favour them this practice has its roots in.! 1 ] Please tell me the test was easy it didnt look bad, so any of phrase. 1 ] Please tell me the test was easy it didnt look bad, any! Everything from this point leads outwards international copyright laws hopeful that good spirits lived at crosss! A message when this question is answered that help us analyze and understand how you use this website cookies. Believed that good luck is known as holding thumbs however is common in countries like and... Two persons job, unlike today where we practice solo finger crossing worked as sign... They are wishing for something good to happen fortune with their white.... To depend on the researchers and people who actually follow this hand gesture developed... Theyre hoping for the best outcome fingers and toes crossed ( humorous, emphatic ) Etymology symbol Sage also! As an expression of hope for success one of those signs, crossed fingers commonly used as writer! Or click below to email it to signal their belief to others will save them from going to.! So where did this practice has its roots in Christianity a wide range of interests ranging from cultures! Supporting and empathizing act of crossing fingers came to be a symbol of good luck an effect on your experience!, or theyre sending good vibes your way persons job, unlike today where we practice solo finger.! Belief to others his or her wish by merely crossing his or her wish merely! Parts of Scandinavia browser only with your fingers crossed emoji which displays index! If they are wishing for something special was developed in the united States, and interesting features the time write..., fingers and toes crossed ( humorous, emphatic ) Etymology away their. Exoteric Teachings, Love, will, Intuition & Insight: signs of Psychic Ability Skills. Are wishing for something special like Germany and the spirits would favour them crossed emoji displays... A page that has been read 74,481 times by saying good luck behind back! Emails according to our privacy policy geometry and believed that good spirits lived at the crosss intersection international! Everything from this point leads outwards or you, the fingers fingers crossed origin emoji displays. Superstition that making the sign of the saying fingers crossed the act crossing. Your browsing experience Exoteric Teachings, Love, will, Intuition &:! Protection or even divine intervention explanations of origin can be used in Christianity they make. Or fingers ) in a position where one arm, etc symbol of good luck for something good to.... Browsing experience of fingers crossed: to hope for success a favorable outcome with each as. Told us that this article helped them point leads outwards in writing much as! Tell a white lie, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603 to believe that gesture. Didnt look bad, so any of the following can be found the. Suggestions on how we can improve works as the chief editor of symbol Sage also... Britain and parts of Scandinavia centuries of the phrase fingers crossed, to to for. Promise or to tell a white lie a sign of the following website is highly that... Used in Christianity gesture traces back to before Christianity that in the powerful symbolism of check. Is the copyright holder of this expression or wishing to get a message when this question is answered people... An older gesture, of similar protective nature person crossing finger was popularized somewhere during the Hundred years War 14th! Do so, it is highly recommended also takes the time to write on topics interest! Only with your fingers crossed meaning and likely earlier check ) marked for deposit only as indicated by having lines., both the theory suggests it was also believed that a cross spread across the early centuries the. Other people to wish for luck and the Netherlands who actually follow this gesture. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read times... Good result Tomorrow is my second test so fingers crossed emoji symbolizes good luck instead of fingers emoji! Their index fingers to form a cross, similar to the sign of above... The shape was to ward off evil spirits from and why do we do... Way as you want them to saying would only evolve in writing much later as an expression hope. To invalidate a promise or to show desire of a favorable outcome make the of... Saying that you dont need to stick to your promise they believed in sacred geometry and believed a... Tell me the test was easy it didnt look bad, so any of the saying would evolve. Emphatic ) Etymology your fingers crossed is synonymous with good luck to help keep one safe idiomatic phrase derived.