What This Everyday Hand Gesture Really Meant in the Past

The Thumbs-Up: Not Always a Sign of Approval

Today, a thumbs-up means “good job,” “okay,” or “I agree.” It’s everywhere — from selfies to social media likes.

But historically, the meaning wasn’t always so positive.

In popular lore, the thumbs-up gesture is linked to gladiator battles in the Roman Empire. Many believe a raised thumb meant a defeated gladiator would be spared, while a thumbs-down signaled death. However, historians suggest the truth is more complicated. Ancient texts imply that a “turned thumb” may have symbolized a drawn sword — meaning death — while a concealed thumb might have meant mercy.

In other words, the gesture we now associate with praise may once have symbolized lethal judgment.

The Wave: A Sign You Weren’t Armed

Waving hello seems friendly and automatic today. But in ancient and medieval times, raising an open hand could serve a practical purpose: showing that you were not holding a weapon.

Displaying an empty palm was a universal signal of peaceful intent. Over time, that functional movement evolved into the casual greeting we use now.

The Handshake: A Trust-Building Ritual

The handshake is one of the oldest documented gestures of goodwill. Relief carvings from ancient Mesopotamia show leaders clasping hands to seal alliances.

By extending a hand, both parties demonstrated vulnerability — proving they weren’t carrying a weapon. The gesture became a symbol of mutual trust and agreement, and it remains so in modern business and diplomacy.

The “OK” Sign: From Practical to Political

The “OK” sign — forming a circle with your thumb and index finger — began as a 19th-century American slang abbreviation for “oll korrect” (a humorous misspelling of “all correct”).

Over time, it spread globally as a symbol for approval. However, in some cultures, the gesture has carried vulgar meanings, and in recent years, it has even been politicized in certain contexts. Like many gestures, its meaning depends heavily on time and place.

Why Gesture Meanings Change

Hand gestures evolve for several reasons:

• Cultural shifts
• Media influence
• Globalization
• Political movements
• Technology and social media

A gesture that once conveyed threat, surrender, or insult can gradually transform into something entirely different — sometimes even the opposite of its original meaning.