Winston Churchill giving his famous V for Victory sign
© TopFoto.co.uk
Where did the V-sign come from? We may never know, although one persistent theory says it has something to do with English longbowmen. What is clearer is that the gesture has two quite different sets of meanings, depending on whether you make it with your palm turned inward or facing outward.
With the growth of global communications, we are also discovering the rude and defiant hand gestures of other cultures. As the symbol of peace, it has become universal, while the V for Victory will forever remain associated with the wartime prime minister, Sir Winston Churchill.
Biography
What do you think of when someone mentions the V-sign – a rude gesture of anger or something altogether more benign? Here we look at the origin of both versions, and dispel the myth that the signal's roots lie with archers in the Battle of Agincourt.
Features
Read all about Harvey Smith and his notorious two-finger salute. Come with us to Japan where the peace sign is still very much in vogue. Learn about the bizarre world of international hand gestures and see if the V-sign is still relevent to the person on the street.
