HeadsUp Newsletter - Vol 3.11: November 2006

As most of you already know, the victory hand gesture is when the first and second fingers are raised toward the sky and parted, forming the letter “V,” while the remaining fingers are bent downwards. This sign has been around for centuries. In more recent times it has been used as the universal sign for peace and/or defiance.  It also means “victory.”  Ever wonder where and why the V for victory sign originated?

Many believe Winston Churchill started the victory sign, but our sources tell us otherwise. Allegedly, during the Hundred Years War between England and France, the English were better equipped with archers in battle. Once in a while, the French caught some of these British archers and would have their bow fingers cut off.  Fortunately for the British, they had lots of good archers and to prove that the one or two lost archers wouldn’t hurt them, they defiantly showed the French enemy their two bow fingers – also known as today’s victory sign.

With much appreciation for the meaning of the victory and peace sign, we would like to share a few interesting fun facts.

• Did you know that in the UK the victory sign is considered vulgar if the hand is held out with palm towards the person performing the gesture?
• The V for victory sign was used as the Catholic gesture of benediction that was painted on walls as a symbol of freedom from occupying forces.
• The victory sign was widely used in peace movements in the 1960’s and 1970’s as a symbol of victory for peace and truth.
• On the 7th May l945, Germany surrendered and the 8th May was declared V - E Day (Victory in Europe).