Types of Hand Waves and What They Mean

What is Hand Wave?

A wave is a nonverbal communication gesture that consists of the movement of the hand and/or entire arm that people commonly use to greet each other, but it can also be used to say goodbye, acknowledge another’s presence, call for silence, or deny someone. The waving gesture is an essential element of human language.

There are different ways to wave the hand; some include the standard side-to-side wave, palm wide wave, wiggly wave (finger wiggle wave), “flirtatious” wave, open-and-close finger wave, arms wave, and the “Miss America” wave. People wave by raising their hand and moving it from side to side.

The waving of the hand is a nonverbal gesture that has an unclear origin but is said to have dated back to as far as the 18th century however, it was not called waving and was not used as saying “hello”, or “goodbye.”

The original gesture of waving was saluting. Prior to the 18th century, knights removed the guard of their helmets to show their identity, followed by a salute to show they come in peace; saluting is also used to show others that they are not armed with weapons and do not pose a threat.

The action of saluting was formalized only in the 1780s by European armies, since then, it has become a common way of properly addressing one another in the military setting. There is also an alternate ASL origin in the 1800s, waving handkerchiefs was a way to show approval or excitement or to call attention for the deaf, which is known as the “Chautauqua salute.”

It is recorded during a Canadian event in 1884 that multiple attendees forgot their handkerchiefs and so waved their hands in the air as a way to clap during the event. In modern days, the accepted and common way for a deaf individual to applaud is by raising hands in the air and simultaneously shaking their open hand and moving their fingers back and forth.

Types Of Hand Waves and What They Mean

The technique a waver employs when waving at the waves is actually a very telling action that can determine, to the observant eye, the relationship between the two.

1. The “fingers outstretched, moving from side-to-side heartily” wave. This implies the waver is genuinely happy to see the subject of their wave; usually accompanied by a sincere smile, with teeth.

2. The “moving fingers around in a scraggly fashion” wave. Do not trust them. Avoid these people at all costs.

3. The “fingers prostrate themselves forwards and backward while the palm stays absolutely still with the thumb (possibly the pinky in another variation) sticking out awkwardly to the side” wave. Usually accompanied by a discomforted “hey”.

4. The “hand perfectly rigid, raised to shoulder level, unmoving” wave. Usually accompanied by a confused and/or bewildered facial expression. Hostile vibes may flow freely.

5. The “timidly moves quickly, side-to-side, within a quarter-inch space” wave. This is usually paired with a creepy, no-teeth-showing smile and implies the waver would rather be anywhere else except running into you.

6. The princess’s “hand in a cupped shape, moving stiffly from side to side” wave. Unless this person is actually Kate Middleton, immediately walk in the opposite direction. This person is suffering from acute princess syndrome and possibly has the mentality of a seven-year-old.

7. The “double-handed getting attention in a vigorous fashion” wave. Usually seen in a huge crowd of people, which makes it easier to avoid, although sometimes the best route is to acknowledge said person to ease the secondhand embarrassment. Also seen in stressed-out mothers with 5+ kids.

8. The “unbending hand moving in a one solid-motion rainbow shape” wave. This somewhat intimate wave implies a casual friendship. Usually employed when friends run into each other unexpectedly and there’s no escape because you’ve already spotted each other. You probably want to get out of talking to them as quickly as possible.

15 Types Of Hand Waves

Hand waves are a nonverbal way of communicating through gestures. They can convey a variety of messages and meanings, depending on the context and culture. Here are some common types of hand waves and what they typically mean:

The greeting waves. This is a common hand wave used as a way of greeting someone. It can be a simple up-and-down movement of the hand or a more elaborate wave that involves curling the fingers.
The goodbye wave. This hand wave is used as a way of saying goodbye or farewell. It can be a simple up-and-down movement of the hand or a more elaborate wave that involves curling the fingers.
The “come here” wave. This hand wave involves motioning with the hand or finger to indicate that someone should come closer. It is often used to summon someone or to get their attention.
The “stop” wave. This hand wave involves holding the hand up with the palm facing outward, signaling for someone to stop or halt their actions.
The “I’m okay” wave. This hand wave involves waving both hands in the air, signaling that everything is okay or that the person is not in danger.
The “hello” wave. This is a common hand wave used to greet someone. It can involve a simple up-and-down movement of the hand or a more elaborate wave that involves curling the fingers.
The “thank you” wave. This hand wave involves holding the hand up with the palm facing outward, signaling gratitude or appreciation.
The “yes” wave. This hand wave involves nodding the head or waving the hand up and down to indicate agreement or approval.
The “no” wave. This hand wave involves shaking the head or waving the hand side to side to indicate disagreement or disapproval.
The “I’m sorry” wave. This hand wave involves waving the hand in front of the chest or bowing the head to indicate remorse or apology.
The “wait” wave. This hand wave involves holding the hand up with the palm facing outward, signaling for someone to wait or pause their actions.
The “I’m here” wave. This hand wave involves waving the hand to signal that the person is present or available.
The “I’m not interested” wave. This hand wave involves shaking the head or waving the hand side to side to indicate a lack of interest.
The “I’m listening” wave. This hand wave involves nodding the head or holding the hand up with the palm facing outward to indicate that the person is paying attention.
The “I’m thinking” wave. This hand wave involves tapping the finger on the chin or temple to indicate that the person is considering something or deep in thought.

These are just a few examples, and there are many more hand waves and gestures that can convey different meanings. It’s always important to pay attention to the context and body language of the person you are interacting with to understand their intentions and communicate effectively.

50 Hand Gestures You Should Be Using and Their Meaning with Picture

Hand gestures are an important part of nonverbal communication and form an integral part of our interactions with the environment. Notably, sign language is a set of hand gestures that is valuable to millions of disabled people.

There are many different hand gestures with various meanings, some of which are universal while others are culture-specific. For example, the thumbs-up gesture is commonly used to signal approval or agreement, while other gestures may be considered insulting in certain cultures. Some hand gestures have interesting origins and histories.

Hand Gesture Meaning with Picture:

Hand Gesture	Used for
👋 Waving Hand	👋 Waving Hand
🤚 Raised Back Of Hand	🤚 Agrees
✋ Stop	✋ Stop
🖖 Vulcan Salute	🖖 Wish To Prosper
👌 Ok Hand	👌 Ok
🤏 Pinching Hand	🤏 Small Amount
✌ Victory Hand	✌ Peace
🤞 Crossed Fingers	🤞 Indicating Luck
🤟 Love-You Gesture	🤟 Love-You Gesture
🤘 Sign Of The Horns	🤘 Rock On
🤙 Call Me Hand	🤙 Call Me
👈 Backhand Index Pointing Left	👈 Pointing
👆 Backhand Index Pointing Up	👆 I Am Up For It!”
👇 Backhand Index Pointing Down	👇 Down Or South
☝ Index Pointing Up	☝ Express Question
👍 Thumbs Up	👍 Thumbs Up
👎 Thumbs Down	👎 Or Not Agreeing.
✊ Raised Fist	✊ Protests And Support
👊 Oncoming Fist	👊 Greet The Friend
🤛 Left-Facing Fist	🤛 I Agree With You!
👏 Clapping Hands	👏 Clapping Hands
🙌 Raising Hands	🙌 Raising Hands
👐 Open Hands	👐 Representing Openness
🤲 Palms Up Together	🤲 Palms Up Together
🤝 Handshake	🤝 Handshake
🙏 Folded Hands	🙏 Praying Hands
💪 Flexed Biceps	💪 Strength

Hand Gestures You Should Be Using and Their Meaning:

Thumbs Up. Used to indicate approval, agreement, or satisfaction.
Thumbs Down. Used to indicate disapproval, disagreement, or dissatisfaction.
OK, Sign. Used to indicate that everything is okay or to show agreement.
Victory Sign. Made by extending the index and middle fingers in a V shape, used to indicate victory or peace.
Peace Sign. Made by extending the index and middle fingers in a V shape with the palm facing outward, used to indicate peace or as a sign of victory.
Pointing Finger. Used to indicate direction or to draw attention to something.
Crossed Fingers. Used to indicate hoping for good luck or to negate a promise.
Fist Bump. A greeting or a way to show agreement or support.
High Five. A celebratory gesture or a way to congratulate someone.
Handshake. A common greeting or a sign of agreement or partnership.
Namaste. A traditional Indian greeting, made by pressing the palms together in front of the chest and bowing slightly, used to show respect and honor.
Finger Gun. A gesture made by forming a gun shape with the hand, used to indicate a shooting or to playfully mimic a gun.
Shaka. A Hawaiian hand gesture made by extending the thumb and little finger while curling the other fingers into a fist, used to show aloha spirit and a laid-back attitude.
Stop Sign. Made by holding up the hand with the palm facing outward, used to signal to someone to stop or to halt traffic.
Throat Slitting Gesture. A threatening gesture made by drawing the hand across the throat is used to intimidate or to suggest violence.
Pointing Up. Used to draw attention to something above or to indicate something positive or good.
Pointing Down. Used to indicate something negative or bad, or to direct attention to something below.
Open Hand. Used to show openness, honesty, and sincerity.
Closed Fist. Used to show determination, strength, and resolve.
Clenched Hand. Used to show anger, frustration, or aggression.
Facepalm. Made by placing the palm of the hand on the face, used to express embarrassment, frustration, or disbelief.
Prayer Hands. Made by pressing the palms together in front of the chest, used to express gratitude, supplication, or reverence.
Air Quotes. Made by curling the fingers of both hands to indicate that a word or phrase is being used ironically or with sarcasm.
Waving. Made by moving the hand back and forth, used to greet someone or to say goodbye.
Flicking. Made by quickly snapping the fingers, used to get someone’s attention or to indicate impatience.
Ring Gesture. Made by forming a circle with the thumb and index finger, used to indicate the desire for money or to suggest a bribe.
L Sign. Made by holding the thumb and index finger in the shape of an L, used to indicate loser or to mock someone who has failed.
Hook ‘Em Horns. Made by extending the index and pinky fingers, used to show support for the University of Texas Longhorns or to indicate the rock and roll hand gesture.
Throat Cut Gesture. Made by drawing the hand across the throat in a cutting motion, used to indicate a warning or to suggest a threat.
Heart Sign. Made by forming a heart shape with the hands, is used to show love or affection.
Begging Gesture. Made by holding the palms together in front of the body and lowering the head, used to request something or to beg for mercy.
Crossed Arms. Made by crossing the arms in front of the chest, used to indicate defensiveness, disagreement, or disinterest.
Chin Flick Gesture. Made by flicking the index finger off the chin, used to signal that someone is not trustworthy or to show disdain.
Crossover Gesture. Made by crossing the arms and legs, used to indicate defensiveness, discomfort, or negativity.
Pointing Backward. Used to indicate something behind or to refer to something in the past.
Pointing Forward. Used to indicate something ahead or to refer to something in the future.
Tapping Fingers. Made by tapping the fingers on a surface, used to indicate impatience or nervousness.
Steepling Gesture. Made by pressing the fingertips together and pointing them upward, used to show confidence, authority, or intelligence.
Holding Hands. Made by holding hands together, used to show affection, support, or partnership.
Open Palms Gesture. Made by holding both palms up and open, used to show trust, honesty, or submission.
Rubbing Hands Together. Made by rubbing the palms of the hands together, used to indicate anticipation or excitement.
The Rock on Gesture. Made by extending the index and pinky fingers while holding down the other fingers with the thumb, used to indicate approval, coolness, or heavy metal music.
Air Fist Pump. Made by pumping the fist in the air, used to show excitement or celebration.
Clapping Hands. Made by hitting the palms of the hands together, used to show approval, appreciation, or applause.
Waving Hands Above Head. Made by waving both hands above the head, used to signal for attention or to indicate celebration.
Holding One Finger Up. Made by holding one finger up, used to indicate a need for attention or to indicate a specific number or item.
Holding Two Fingers Up. Made by holding two fingers up, used to indicate the number two or to represent victory.
Holding Three Fingers Up. Made by holding three fingers up, used to indicate the number three or to represent a symbol of unity.
Holding Four Fingers Up. Made by holding four fingers up, used to indicate the number four or to represent a symbol of strength.
Holding Five Fingers Up. Made by holding all five fingers up, used to indicate the number five or to represent a symbol of completeness.

These are some more examples of hand gestures and their meanings. Remember that hand gestures can be a powerful tool for communication, but it’s important to be aware of cultural differences and to use them appropriately in different situations.

The Meaning of Hand Gestures Around the World

Hand gestures have different meanings in different cultures. For example, the thumbs-up gesture is a sign of approval in many countries, but it is considered rude in some parts of the Middle East.

The “V” sign, which involves holding up the index and middle fingers in a “V” shape, can mean peace or victory in some countries, but it is an insult in others.

Similarly, crossing your fingers can be a sign of good luck in some cultures, but it is considered vulgar in others. It’s important to be aware of these cultural differences when communicating with people from other countries to avoid misunderstandings. Understand some of the common hand gesture and their meaning around the world.

Thumbs up.

The thumbs-up gesture is widely recognized in Western cultures as a sign of approval or agreement and is often used to indicate that things are going well or according to plan. It has become a commonly used emoji and is often seen in social media and customer service ratings to indicate satisfaction.

However, in many Islamic and Asian countries, the thumbs-up gesture is considered a major insult. This is because the gesture resembles the gesture of putting the thumb between the index and middle fingers, which is a crude gesture like giving someone the middle finger in Western cultures.

In Australia, the thumbs-up gesture also means that everything is fine, but it can be turned into an insult if the user moves the thumb up and down while making the gesture, which can be seen as a vulgar way of telling someone to “sit on it”.

The thumbs-down gesture, on the other hand, is not as widely used in many cultures as the thumbs-up gesture. While in Western cultures it is often used to indicate disapproval or dissatisfaction, in many other cultures it is very rude and arrogant. In some places, such as Greece and the Middle East, the thumbs-down gesture is seen as a vulgar and insulting gesture that is similar to the middle finger in Western cultures.

It’s important to be aware of cultural differences in the interpretation of hand gestures, as what may be innocuous or positive in one culture can be offensive or insulting in another culture. When communicating with people from different cultures, it’s always important to be respectful and mindful of cultural differences and to avoid using gestures that could be misunderstood or offensive.

The “V for Victory” or Peace sign

The hand gesture being referred to here is the “peace sign,” which involves extending the index and middle fingers while folding down the other fingers and holding the hand in a vertical position. Prior to the 1960s, this hand gesture was mainly used to indicate “victory,” with the palm facing outward.

During the Vietnam War and the hippie era, the peace sign became a symbol of peace and was adopted by the anti-war movement. Since then, the peace sign has been associated with pacifism, non-violence, and a desire for global harmony.

However, in many countries outside of the US, the direction of the palm facing can make a significant difference in the meaning of the hand gesture. For example, in Australia, the peace sign with the palm facing inward is considered a major insult, as it is seen as equivalent to giving someone the middle finger.

Similarly, in the UK and South Africa, the “V sign” with an inward-facing palm (which is like the peace sign but with the back of the hand facing outward) is also considered an insult. This is because, during World War II, the V sign was used by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill as a symbol of victory and was often accompanied by the phrase “V for Victory.” However, if the V sign was made with the palm facing inward, it was considered a rude gesture with a meaning like the middle finger in the US.

The OK sign

The OK sign is a hand gesture that has different meanings and interpretations across cultures. In America and most of the English-speaking world, the gesture is used to signal that everything is going well and according to plan. It is also used by divers to indicate that all is well to their dive partners.

However, in Latin America, the gesture is considered extremely rude and offensive. This is likely because the gesture resembles a vulgar gesture that is commonly used in that region. Therefore, if someone were to use the OK sign in Latin America, it could be interpreted as a highly offensive insult.

Similarly, in France, the gesture is also considered an insult, although the exact meaning is slightly different. In France, the OK sign is seen as a symbol of zero or worthlessness and is sometimes used to insult someone’s intelligence or competency.

In Australia, the OK sign means “zero” or “nothing” and is often used in a sports context to signify that a team has scored no points. In New Zealand, the gesture can be seen as a symbol of laziness or lack of effort.

The Come Here gesture.

The Come Here gesture, which involves curling the index finger towards the palm of the hand, is a gesture commonly used in some English-speaking countries like the US to summon someone towards you. It is usually seen as a friendly gesture and is used to beckon someone closer.

However, in other countries like the Philippines, this gesture is known as the dog call and is one of the most offensive gestures. The gesture is seen as degrading, as it is associated with calling a dog, and can result in the user’s arrest or even physical punishment like having their finger broken as a punishment.

In Japan, the gesture is also seen as rude and inappropriate. It is a gesture that is used to beckon people who are considered to be of lower social status, such as children or pets.

In Singapore, the Come Here gesture is used to mean “death”. It is a taboo gesture and is associated with bad luck, and it is not advisable to use it in any situation.

The Corona Hand Gesture

The Corona hand gesture, also known as the “rock on” gesture, is a hand gesture that consists of the index and little fingers pointing upwards, while the two middle fingers are curled towards the palm. The meaning of this gesture can vary widely across different cultures and contexts.

In some cultures, such as in many European countries, the gesture is associated with the devil and is seen as a negative or even offensive symbol. However, in other cultures, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, the gesture is a positive sign that represents a sense of inner peace and strength.

Interestingly, in some countries like Italy, Brazil, Cuba, Spain, and Portugal, the Corona hand gesture is associated with infidelity and is used to indicate that one’s spouse is cheating on them.

In other contexts, such as in the United States, the gesture is used as a sign of approval or enjoyment, particularly in the world of hard rock music. It is also the symbol of the University of Texas at Austin, where it is used to signify “Hook’em Horns” at sporting events.

As the world becomes increasingly globalized, with more people traveling and communicating across cultures, it is important to be aware of these cultural differences in non-verbal communication. When traveling to a foreign country, taking the time to research the culture and customs, including hand gestures, can help avoid misunderstandings and potential offense.

Sign language use by Deaf

Sign language users also wave for “hello” and “goodbye.” For an ASL user, saying “goodbye” is done by repeatedly opening and closing the right hand, and it faces the receiver of the gesture. This method is used to say “goodbye” to a group of people; saying “goodbye” to an individual is done with a different method.

Saying “hello” is done by the traditional waving of the right hand. “Hello” is also communicated in ASL with an open palm salute starting at the forehead and moving down to the waist. This method is used to say “hello” to a group of people, likewise with implying “goodbye”, there is a different method to say “hello” to an individual.

What does a two-handed wave mean?

The “double-handed getting attention in a vigorous fashion” wave. Usually seen in a huge crowd of people which makes it easier to avoid although sometimes the best route is to acknowledge said person to ease the secondhand embarrassment.