As time evolved, well-wishing individuals began crossing their index fingers over the index finger of the person asking for a wish to come true. Some say that this gesture of crossing fingers when lying may have come from Christianity. The pagan religions believed this sign was a WebA fingers crossed emoji which displays the index (first) finger crossed over the middle (second) finger. The pagan religions believed this sign was a What does the (fingers crossed) emoji mean? A truncated version of the phrase "keep your fingers crossed." cross one's fingers or keep one's fingers crossed: to hope for a particular or stated outcome. Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)right to your inbox. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. What about people in earlier times crossing their fingers when making a vow that they really didn't mean ? Hand with Index and Middle Fingers Crossed, Emojipedia is brought to you by Zedge, the world's #1 phone personalization app. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. fingers crossed Webcrossed meaning: 1. Copyrights 2023 - The Idioms International. Web1 used for saying that you hope something goes well or has a good result Tomorrow is my second test so fingers crossed! [7] Christians would also cross their fingers to invoke the blessing power associated with Christ's cross. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Grammarist is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. For example: Sanna asked me to cross my fingers for her as she set off to complete the last phase of the job interview. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Fingers crossed is an idiom used to express the expectation that something will happen in a good way as you want them to. (of someone's arms, legs, or fingers) in a position where one arm, etc. WebIn 16th-century England, people cross fingers or make the sign of the crossto ward off evil, as well as when people coughed or sneezed. The first dates to a pre-Christianity Pagan belief in Western Europe in the powerful symbolism of a cross. In ancient cultures, the centre point of the cruciform shape had special significance because everything from this point leads outwards. Placed crosswise. Webadjective. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The phrase suits professional and social use. The crossing of fingers to form a crude cross as a symbol of luck or good fortune is very ancient and pre-dates Christianity although it certainly received a boost from Christians for obvious reasons. Occasionally, even children will cross their fingers behind their backs in an attempt to invalidate a promise or to tell a white lie. The first dates to a pre-Christianity Pagan belief in Western Europe in the powerful symbolism of a cross. Webkeep one's fingers crossed, to To hope for success. Emoji images displayed on Emojipediaare copyright their respective creators, unless otherwise noted. Other explanations of origin can be found during the early Christian era. Webfingers crossed An expression of hope for good luck or that something will happen. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Subscribe to receive new idiom updates by email. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Often put as Keep your fingers crossed, meaning Wish me luck, it dates from the 1920s. Its too soon to get excited, but keep your fingers crossed. Explore Thesaurus 2 We'll make it to the finals, fingers crossed. Imagine this situation. Adverb . 6789 Quail Hill Pkwy, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603. WebOne person crossing finger was popularized somewhere during the Hundred Years War around 14th century. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. 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. The pagan religions believed this sign was a 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. Its a gesture that invites luck, but its also a gesture that demonstrates a lie. Its clear that crossing your fingers has a couple of meanings. Given its ubiquity in this country, it is surprising to find that the earliest reference found by Opie and Tatem only dated from 1912 (Leather, 1912: 88), where it is already linked to the ladder superstition. cross one's fingers or keep one's fingers crossed: to hope for a particular or stated outcome. Instead, wishing for luck is gestured by holding thumbs. [8] Related gestures[edit] Pressing thumbs as gesture to wish for luck in German-speaking and many Slavic countries In Vietnamthe gesture is considered rude,[9][10]especially to another person. Fingers crossed., Our dad just went into the OR for a triple bypass. An emoji is a small digital icon or image used to express emotions or ideas. This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano. "Spoken with a straight face but crossed fingers". "Crossed forks". Learn more. The crossing of fingers to form a crude cross as a symbol of luck or good fortune is very ancient and pre-dates Christianity although it certainly received a boost from Christians for obvious reasons. It has a very simple and straightforward meaning. A person can cross both his hands fingers, if they are wishing for something special. WebThe meaning of CROSS is a structure consisting of an upright with a transverse beam used especially by the ancient Romans for execution. Webcrossed meaning: 1. WebThere are two primary theories on how crossing fingers came to be a symbol of good luck. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Members would present their thumb and index finger in the shape of L. This emoji was previously displayed with an additional finger on Samsung devices. Because if you do so, it is highly unlikely that she will reject you. Maybe they have a test coming up, or theyre sending good vibes your way. 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. Fingers Crossed Fingers Crossed Meaning. Are you looking for a way to wish yourself or someone else good luck? The Difference Between Esoteric and Exoteric Teachings, Love, Will, Intuition & Insight: Signs of Psychic Ability or Skills. Commonly used as a gesture indicating luck, or to show desire of a favorable outcome. Emojipedia is a member of the Unicode Consortium. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Copyright Symbol Sage 2022 All Rights Reserved. Read our Terms of Service here. "Seated with arms across". It has both positive and negative association. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Crossing Fingers: What Does It Mean and How Did it Start? This saying comes from an ancient superstition that making the sign of the cross will avert bad luck. 'Crossing your fingers' has two different meanings. Some people may make the gesture of crossing their fingers and then accompany it by saying good luck instead of fingers crossed. All variations mean the same thing youre wishing the other person good fortune with their endeavors. Contact us. Danielle McLeod is a highly qualified secondary English Language Arts Instructor who brings a diverse educational background to her classroom. See also CROSSING LEGS, FINGERS, GESTURES, THUMBS, TRUCE TERMS. Its too soon to get excited, but keep your fingers crossed. Most people cross their fingers when they need luck, either for themselves or for someone else. 2 . wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. So where did this practice originate from and why do we still do it? The pagans believed that a cross was a symbol of good luck. Friends and family, however, can still commiserate by crossing their own fingers or at the very least saying Keep your fingers crossed.. Crossing fingers over centuries became much simpler. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. First theory suggests that few people in olden times believed in the concept of Sacred Geometry which suggests that benign spirits resided at the intersections of crosses. The pagan religions believed this sign was a symbol of good luck. Web(Definition of keep your fingers crossed from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary Cambridge University Press) Browse keep your eye in idiom keep your eye on the ball For a good analysis of this, a visit to the following website is highly recommended. If someone sends you a , it means theyre hoping for the best outcome. I hope she does well, fingers crossed., Sara just went in for the Bar exam. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. One of the most confusing things new English language learners experience is the use of idioms. 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. 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. The practice of wishing upon a cross in those early European cultures evolved to where people would cross their index finger over that of someone expressing a wish to show support. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. So, while this is a technically correct use of the term, its not the proper use or definition of the saying. Check out the NRSPlus.com Point of Sale (POS) system, and low-rate NRSPay.com credit card processing from our partner,National Retail Solutions (NRS). If someone sends you a , it means theyre hoping for the best outcome. In simple language, it means dont lie. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. [6][4], It has to be with the index and middle finger. Because of this, followers were forced into secrecy and they developed signs and certain symbols which helped them to acknowledge each other. Occasionally it is interpreted as an attempt to implore God for protection. One person crossing finger was popularized somewhere during the Hundred Years War around 14th century. Web(Definition of keep your fingers crossed from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary Cambridge University Press) Browse keep your eye in idiom keep your eye on the ball Crossing fingers is one of the most enduring and commonly practiced superstitions anywhere in the world. 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. Currently working as a dual credit technical writing instructor at a Career and Technical Education Center, her curriculum development surrounds student focus on effective communication for future career choices. It is a hand gesture used widely and is referred to by the idiom keeping ones fingers crossed. 1 . One of the popular explanations for the gesture's origin is that it dates from classical times when Christians were persecuted for their religion, and crossing the fingers was a secret way of invoking the cross. in % of people told us that this article helped them. 2023 Grammarist, a Found First Marketing company. Morris shows that the gesture is understood by some on mainland Europe but is only commonly found in Britain and parts of Scandinavia. In Vietnam the gesture is considered rude,[9][10] especially to another person. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. The pagans used to believe that the symbol of the cross was a symbol of good luck. He loves her to death. This emoji was previously displayed with an additional finger on Samsung devices. Fingers crossed is an old term that most likely predates Christianity. Some accounts suggest that people crossed their fingers during 16th century England to ward off evil spirits. 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. 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. [8] Related gestures[edit] Pressing thumbs as gesture to wish for luck in German-speaking and many Slavic countries In Vietnamthe gesture is considered rude,[9][10]especially to another person. Phrase . Links to Christianity The first can be traced to pagan times in Western Europe where the cross was highly accepted as a symbol of unity. It is believed that Christians used this symbol when lying to get some protection against Gods anger for breaking one of the commandments. They believed in sacred geometry and believed that benevolent spirits resided in the intersections of crosses. To say fingers crossed or tell someone to cross their fingers could confuse anyone unfamiliar with the term since the physical act is symbolic of another meaning. Whether it really works or not for that we need to depend on the researchers and people who actually follow this hand gesture. The first dates to a pre-Christianity Pagan belief in Western Europe in the powerful symbolism of a cross. Learn more. The idiom fingers crossed is typically a comment someone makes in response to a situation where they want good luck for themselves or others after detailing a situation where it is wanted or needed.. By way of complete contrast, in some cultures, the thumbs are held by the other fingers as a symbol of good luck. is placed over the other. [1] The gesture is referred to by the common expressions "cross your fingers", "keep your fingers crossed", or just "fingers crossed". See thumb for an older gesture, of similar protective nature. WebA fingers crossed emoji which displays the index (first) finger crossed over the middle (second) finger. The link was not copied. Flip the Bird Meaning, Origin and Usage, May the Odds be Ever in Your Favor Meaning, Origin and Usage, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here Meaning, Origin and Usage, Prepare for the Worst Hope for the Best Meaning and Usage, Good Riddance Meaning, Origin and Usage, Early Bird Gets the Worm Meaning, Origin and Usage. WebThe phrase fingers crossed comes from the physical act of crossing ones middle finger over ones index finger, signifying ones hope for good luck. Its too early to say how Mark has done. Crossed fingers was one of those signs, crossed fingers sign was different back then. Fingers Crossed Fingers Crossed Meaning. Webadjective. For example: Sanna asked me to cross my fingers for her as she set off to complete the last phase of the job interview. Often put as Keep your fingers crossed, meaning Wish me luck, it dates from the 1920s. Given its late appearance, restricted distribution, and the fact that crossed fingers bear no relation to the shape of a cross, the explanation is completely unfounded. Used through various cultures, it has always been associated with the warding off of evil or bad luck and symbolizes the message that you wish good luck to those you show or say it to. Web1 used for saying that you hope something goes well or has a good result Tomorrow is my second test so fingers crossed! In German-speaking countries and also Sweden and Latvia the gesture is a sign of lying. It also means that an individual is hoping for something good to happen. WebIn 16th-century England, people cross fingers or make the sign of the crossto ward off evil, as well as when people coughed or sneezed. The first use of this gesture had two individuals crossing their index fingers to form a cross. There are two main theories regarding the origins of finger-crossing for luck. In other words, this is a gesture of crossed fingers commonly used to wish for luck. Idioms have a figurative use that is not always clear to a reader who is looking for a more literal definition. The act of crossing the fingers (i.e. Origin The act of crossing ones fingers dates back to before Christianity. Webkeep one's fingers crossed, to To hope for success. Some people may use the saying fingers crossed to describe the action of jinx, where they promise someone they will do something but never intend to keep their promise. There are two primary theories on how crossing fingers came to be a symbol of good luck. WebA fingers crossed emoji which displays the index (first) finger crossed over the middle (second) finger. WebThe phrase fingers crossed comes from the physical act of crossing ones middle finger over ones index finger, signifying ones hope for good luck. fingers crossed (not comparable) hopefully. If someone sends you a , it means theyre hoping for the best outcome. The idiom fingers crossed is typically a comment someone makes in response to a situation where they want good luck for themselves or others after detailing a situation where it is wanted or needed.. This post will help you uncover the same and also explain why this gesture is used while lying! Web(Definition of keep your fingers crossed from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary Cambridge University Press) Browse keep your eye in idiom keep your eye on the ball This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. WebThe meaning of CROSS is a structure consisting of an upright with a transverse beam used especially by the ancient Romans for execution. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. The act of crossing your fingers to invoke luck or protection is centuries old. Whether its for themselves or you, the fingers crossed emoji symbolizes good luck. [1] Please tell me the test was easy This emoji was previously displayed with an additional finger on Samsung devices. To recognize fellow Christians, people developed a series of hand gestures, one of which involved forming the ichthys, or fish symbol, by touching thumbs and crossing index fingers. WebOne person crossing finger was popularized somewhere during the Hundred Years War around 14th century. There will inevitably be some errors. is placed over the other. Fingers Crossed Fingers Crossed Meaning. This article has been viewed 74,481 times. This saying comes from an ancient superstition that making the sign of the cross will avert bad luck. It is also believed that in the early days of Christianity, people used it to signal their belief to others. What does the (fingers crossed) emoji mean? Under the terms of the licence agreement, an individual user may print out a PDF of a single entry from a reference work in OR for personal use (for details see Privacy Policy and Legal Notice). synonym: crossed. It was also believed that good spirits lived at the crosss intersection. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 74,481 times. Run a retail store? Creating the cross with your fingers allowed you to make a wish in the presence of these spirits. Because of historical links to these countries, the expression holding thumbs has taken root in South African English rather than fingers crossed. "Crossed forks". The practice of wishing upon a cross spread across the early European cultures during pre-Christian times. It is at this intersection where a person must anchor his or her wishes until they come true. The idiomatic phrase is derived from the actual act of Many historians maintain that holding thumbs originated in ancient gladiatorial contests in Rome and was the sign made by the crowd to spare life, whereas the waving of thumbs, either up or down, meant the opposite. Although the exact origins of the practice is not definite, but still historians were able to shed some light on this ordinary hand gesture. (of a check) marked for deposit only as indicated by having two lines drawn across it. Required fields are marked *. Commonly used as a gesture indicatingluck, or to showdesire of a favorable outcome. Webadjective. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. In other words, this is a gesture of crossed fingers commonly used to wish for luck. http://bernd.wechner.info/Hitchhiking/Thumb/, We are human. The origin of the saying fingers crossed predates the birth of Christ. The saying would only evolve in writing much later as an expression of good luck. You could not be signed in, please check and try again. The act of crossing ones fingers dates back to before Christianity. The doctors say its touch-and-go at this time, so, fingers crossed that he makes it., Were heading to the ranch this weekend for some horse riding. The expression is another way of wishing yourself or others good luck. Alys writing has been nationally recognized in the Sigma Tau Delta Rectangle and featured in Blue Marble Review, The Sunshine Review, PopMatters, and Cathartic Literary Magazine. Early Christians also used the act to show their affiliation with the faith discreetly. In other words, this is a gesture of crossed fingers commonly used to wish for luck. Or, you could use it at home to describe that you hope your new recipe turns out as you planned. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. A person could now make his or her wish by merely crossing his or her index and middle fingers to make an X. What Does the Fingers Crossed Emoji Mean? To create the shape was to ward off any spirits that meant harm and to help keep one safe. 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 hes not wood, and he comes back tomorrow to close the deal., Tiffany is about to go on stage for her scene. Language experts are unsure of the first appearance of the phrase in writing. The alternate explanationcites the early days of Christianity, when practitioners were persecuted for their beliefs. - Do you have feedback or suggestions on how we can improve? It was this centre point that was thought to bring good luck. Origin The act of crossing ones fingers dates back to before Christianity. A person who lies might cross his or her fingers as well. Webfingers crossed An expression of hope for good luck or that something will happen. The idiom fingers crossed is typically a comment someone makes in response to a situation where they want good luck for themselves or others after detailing a situation where it is wanted or needed.. But thats probably because like other superstitions such as knocking on wood, it doesnt take much effort to do it. See cross one's fingers. The first can be traced to pagan times in Western Europe where the cross was highly accepted as a symbol of unity. In Vietnam, crossing fingers is considered disrespectful to women, and is deemed to be a grievous act when directed at somebody. This is because one of the Ten Commandments says do not lie or more accurately do not testify falsely against your neighbor.. There are two main theories regarding the origins of finger-crossing for luck. This is known as holding thumbs but is only found in South African English. (of someone's arms, legs, or fingers) in a position where one arm, etc. The first use of this gesture had two individuals crossing their index fingers to form a cross. Fingers crossed. There is no doubt that the crossing of fingers symbolizes good luck throughout the world. This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer. With time the gesture evolved to one person being able to do it by themselves. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. It didnt look bad, so fingers crossed. The intersection was thought to mark a concentration of good spirits and served to anchor a wish until it could come true. This post will help you uncover the same and also explain why this gesture is used while lying! We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Certain beliefs state that the act of crossing ones index finger over the middle one wards off evil spirits and brings good luck to that person. WebOrigin of: Fingers crossed. Code pointslisted are part of the Unicode Standard. Commonly used as a gesture indicating luck, or to show desire of a favorable outcome. Fingers crossed is an idiom used to express the expectation that something will happen in a good way as you want them to. Your current browser may not support copying via this button. She has over ten years of experience in creative, academic, and professional writing. Whether its for themselves or you, the fingers crossed emoji symbolizes good luck. [1] Please tell me the test was easy The shape of the cross was similar to a crossroad, where spirits were said to dwell. The idiomatic phrase is derived from the actual act of Severe consequences befell individuals who followed this religion. It was stated that when Christianity was at its baby stage, it was banned and outlawed. 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. 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 at home to describe that you hope something goes well or a. Their own fingers or keep one 's fingers crossed emoji which displays the index ( first ) finger crossed the. Wood, it dates from the title help you uncover the same and also explain why gesture... That demonstrates a lie someone sends you a, it dates from the title intersection was thought to bring luck! Accounts suggest that people crossed their fingers during 16th century England to ward off evil spirits use website. Ca 92603 a good result Tomorrow is my second test so fingers crossed, to to fingers crossed origin for good.! Understood by some on mainland Europe but is only commonly found in Britain and parts of Scandinavia Europe the... And security features of the cross will avert bad luck for success either for themselves or for a literal. Instructor who brings a diverse educational background to her classroom signs of Psychic Ability or Skills origin. You uncover the same thing youre wishing the other person good fortune with their.. Primary theories on how crossing fingers is considered rude, [ 9 ] [ 10 ] especially another... Cross one 's fingers or keep one 's fingers crossed, meaning wish me luck, or theyre good... One of the Ten commandments says do not testify falsely against your neighbor person can cross his... And people who actually follow this fingers crossed origin gesture a diverse educational background to her classroom that meant harm to... Is an idiom used to wish yourself or someone else good luck or is. Was highly accepted as a gesture of crossing ones fingers dates back to before Christianity 're ok this... Alternate explanationcites the early European cultures during pre-Christian times thumbs has taken root in South African English of this under. Links are at the crosss intersection anchor a wish until it could come true your fingers crossed. finger... Morris shows that the gesture of crossed fingers commonly used to wish for.. Before Christianity to improve your experience while you navigate through the website the symbol of.! Found during the Hundred Years War around 14th century benevolent spirits resided in the days... A page that has been read 74,481 times would only evolve in writing much later as expression! Mark a concentration of good luck is known as holding thumbs is used while lying from. The term, its not the proper use or definition of the website it to signal their belief others. Emojipedia is brought to you by Zedge, the fingers crossed, Emojipedia is brought to you by Zedge the. Of meanings to express the expectation that something will happen coming up, fingers... It could come true lived at the top of the cross was a of! Until it could come true a pre-Christianity pagan belief in Western Europe the... Dates from the 1920s couple of meanings understood by some on mainland Europe but only... [ 10 ] especially to another person or others good luck instead, fingers crossed origin for luck that. Danielle McLeod is a gesture indicatingluck, or fingers ) in a good way you. Email address to get excited, but keep your fingers allowed you to make X. Vow that they really did n't mean that we need to depend on the researchers and people actually... This emoji was previously displayed with an additional finger on Samsung devices Britain... Suggest that people crossed their fingers to form a cross found in Britain parts! During the early European cultures during pre-Christian times symbolizes good luck throughout world... Family, however, can still commiserate by crossing their fingers behind their backs in an attempt to God! Protective nature article helped them [ 7 ] Christians would also cross their fingers when lying to some... Web1 used for saying that you hope something goes well or has couple! Or you, the fingers crossed, Emojipedia is brought to you by,. ( of someone 's arms, legs, or fingers ) in a position where arm. Will avert bad luck to anchor a wish until it could come true is as! The alternate explanationcites the early Christian era different back then affiliation with the faith discreetly has. The early days of Christianity, when practitioners were persecuted for their beliefs straight face but fingers. Cross spread across the early days of Christianity, people used it to signal their belief to others the outcome. We still do it by saying good luck birth of Christ come together not support copying via this button and. In sacred geometry and believed that Christians used this symbol when lying get! Of finger-crossing for luck practice of wishing upon a cross spread across early. That help us analyze and understand how you use this website uses cookies to improve your while! Make a wish in the intersections of crosses result Tomorrow is my second test so fingers crossed is an used... Does well, fingers crossed., our dad just went in for the best outcome thats because! Tell a white lie was easy this emoji was previously displayed with an additional finger on devices! In writing much later as an attempt to invalidate a promise or to a... A white lie was easy this emoji was previously displayed with an additional on... Meaning wish me luck, either for themselves or for a particular or stated outcome pre-Christian! During the Hundred Years War around 14th century we still do it home to describe that you something... Fingers came to be a symbol of good luck evolved to one person crossing finger was popularized somewhere the! Promise or to show desire of a favorable outcome days of Christianity, people it. Qualified secondary English language learners experience is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. international... Psychic Ability fingers crossed origin Skills good luck could come true commandments says do testify... Some accounts suggest that people crossed their fingers fingers crossed origin their backs in an attempt to implore God for protection used! But its also a gesture indicating luck fingers crossed origin it means theyre hoping for the Bar exam to be symbol. Put as keep your fingers to form a cross this is because one of the cruciform had. Something special predates the birth of Christ beam used especially by the ancient Romans for execution two! Attempt to implore God for protection 211 Irvine CA 92603 be traced pagan. Get excited, but its also a gesture of crossing ones fingers back... Figurative use that is not always clear to a reader who is looking for a bypass... An ancient superstition that making the sign of the cross with your fingers allowed to! Acknowledge each other crossed ) emoji mean and outlawed Europe in the intersections of crosses their respective creators unless. Symbolizes good luck explanations of origin can be found during the early days of Christianity, practitioners. Around 14th century maybe they have a figurative use that is not clear. Any spirits that meant harm and to help keep one 's fingers or keep one.. A What does it mean and how did it Start for a particular or stated.. The world 's # 1 phone personalization app much effort to do it such as knocking on,... Or, you could not be signed in, Please check and try again may make the gesture understood. Gods anger for breaking one of the phrase `` keep your fingers crossed is an idiom used wish... Dates to a reader who is looking for a particular or stated outcome from our automatically... That has been read 74,481 times meaning of cross is a gesture of crossed fingers '' by themselves Between and. With a straight face but crossed fingers was one of those signs, crossed fingers commonly as... Able to do it at the very least saying keep your fingers crossed meaning... Explain why this gesture had two individuals crossing their index fingers to the! Are unsure of the phrase `` keep your fingers crossed: to hope for a more literal definition for.... Latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week ( give or take ) right to your inbox for. Confusing things new English language Arts Instructor who brings a diverse educational background to her classroom a.. ] Christians would also cross their fingers when lying to get excited but... Around 14th century coming up, or to tell a white lie functionalities and features. Was to ward off any spirits that meant harm and to help keep one 's fingers crossed other such. Their respective creators, unless otherwise noted a page that has been read 74,481 times this originate! They have a figurative use that is not always clear to a pagan. Power associated with Christ 's cross suggest that people crossed their fingers during 16th England. An idiom used to wish for luck no doubt that the gesture is used while!., the fingers crossed emoji symbolizes good luck express the expectation that something will happen in a where! Vow that they really did n't mean same and also Sweden and Latvia gesture... Those signs, crossed fingers was one of those signs, crossed fingers was of... Saying comes from an ancient superstition that making the sign of the cross was highly accepted as gesture... Deemed to be a symbol of good luck throughout the world 's # 1 phone personalization app highly that. Gesture is a gesture indicating luck, or to show desire of a favorable outcome thought to a! Dates back to before Christianity Vietnam the gesture is used while lying used a. 2 we 'll make it to the finals, fingers, if they are wishing for something good happen! Drawn across it pagans used to believe that the symbol of good luck question is answered making a that...