What This Everyday Hand Gesture Really Meant in the Past

Ancient Origins

The thumbs‑up gesture can be traced back to ancient Rome. During gladiatorial games, spectators used hand signals to communicate the fate of defeated combatants. Popular belief holds that a thumbs‑up meant sparing a gladiator’s life, while thumbs‑down signaled death. Interestingly, some historians argue that it may have been the opposite: a closed fist with a thumb extended downward may have actually represented mercy, while a thumb pointed upward indicated execution. These nuances highlight how gestures can evolve over time and be misinterpreted through modern retellings.