Japan Travel Forum

Why most of the Japanese people do a "V" sign with their fingers when they are posing for a picture?

Have a happy New Year!

Santi.

Thanks.
I suppose it means "victory" or " peace". But if I asked them none of them could give me an answer...

we always did it as kids to mean "peace". now my kids call them "bunny ears" and the object is to give them to an unsuspecting photo-mate.

Actually, that means like "Ye."! or somthing like "Happy", even though in Taiwan, we do that sigh very often.

This is not only common to Japanese. In our country, India, politicians often show this sign to symbolise Victory!

Well Idon't know really why.
I suppose it is from that they'd said "Peace!" when shot instead of saying "Cheese!" since late 60's.
I'd rather say "Cheers!"

Very interesting question, crazyguitar. :D

I'm Taiwanese and lots of people do that too when they have their pictures taken. (ps, I myself don't do it. I think it's really dumb!!!) Now I think about it, I really don't know why....I know it doesn't really mean peace, victory, or whatever you lebal it. I guess it's just an expression of "being happy" or "It's good to be here" stuff like that. Often times, young people would say "YA!" to go along with the V sign.

Satisfied with my answer? At least I tried. :o) Happy New Year to all of U!

csuresh,

Here politicians, athletes, people joking do the same... but not everybody always in pictures...

TravelerM,
Thanks. Itīs very curious because it happens specially in SE Asia and the "V" sign seems a Western sign.

Happy New Year,

Santi.

Good question..

After i was in Japan for a month... i started to take pics with the V sign...

I still do it now hehehehe Peace!!

Hello
Very interesting question.

About 15 years ago, I hear
" Don't make "V"sign in the United Kingdom,"
Do you know why?
It means something bad in the UK?
Ayurin

Making a V sign with the palm towards the observer means 'peace'; making the sign with the back of the hand towards the observer is rude and offensive and equivalent to using the middle finger as a sign in the USA.

In the UK it has a different meaning if you do it showing the other side of your hand (tuen the hand 180 degrees) and it means something similar to show just one finger (f**k you). I don't know why... I only saw English people doing that... (specially in a comic TV serial: "The young ones", my favourite).

Best regards,

Santi.

Thanks,CliffClaven!
Oh, I didn't know...
that's why we have to be careful when we make the "V" sign in other countries...
Thanks
Ayurin

Thanks.Santi. :-)

Doitashimashite, Ayuri! Old Cliffie is always willing to help....LOL!!!

Clifclaven,I will call you when I need help!...hehehe :-)
Ayurin

okay, history lesson time,over a thousand years ago the english and the french were at war, the french were known as fine horsemen and their army was largely made up of nobles (rich and privileged men) who wore suits of armour and rode horses. The english were a largely peasent (poor people) army whose main weapon was the longbow abow nearly 2 metres high which could shoot an arrow through the armour of the french cavalry. The two armies met at the french town of Agincourt, Knowing the reputation of the English archers for accuracy with their bows, the french king said that he would cut off the two fingers that the bowmen used to pull back the string of their bow, the forefinger and middle finger of the right hand! when the battle began the English bowmen sent up a storm of arrows against the french destroying the French cavalry, the British won the battle and the bowmen put up their two fingers at the French to show that they had won and the French had lost F**k you!, sorry this has been so long hope it helps.VB

Very interesting story, Harry. Thank you. So, please somebody give us the american history of middle finger, then.

Hello all

And, Welcome to Virtual Tourist, Venomboy!! :-) Your explanation is very interesting.Thank you!

Ayurin

I think most of the people showing a V sign are because they don't know where to put (keep) their hands and they don't really know what is the best POSE for a picture... so a 'V' is better than nothing.

I Guess !

To add a little detail to venomboy's excellent explanation,thanks to abc.net.au:-

The battle of agincourt was in 1415,that is588 years ago,when 5,000 british faced 25,000 french.

The welsh longbow measured 1.7 metres and arrows travelled 170 metres at 130 Km per hour,with an iron tip weighing 20 Gms.

As a skilled archer could loose 10 arrows per minute,no less than 800 per second rained down on the french,killing 5,000 for a loss of 500 british.