List of gestures

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at Columbia 6 by David Shankbone

List of Gestures

Gestures are a form of non-verbal communication in which visible bodily actions communicate particular messages, either in place of, or in conjunction with, speech. Gestures include movement of the hands, face, or other parts of the body. They convey specific messages that are understood within a cultural context. This article provides a list of common gestures and their meanings, categorized by their general use or intent.

Types of Gestures

Greetings

• Handshake: A common greeting gesture where two people grasp each of their hands and shake, usually when meeting or departing.
• Bow: A gesture of respect, gratitude, or acknowledgment, common in many Asian cultures.
• Wave: Raising one's hand and moving it back and forth to greet or say goodbye.

Agreement and Approval

• Thumbs up: A gesture indicating approval, agreement, or that everything is okay.
• Nod: Lowering and raising the head, often used to indicate agreement or acknowledgment.

Disagreement and Disapproval

• Thumbs down: A gesture indicating disapproval, disagreement, or rejection.
• Shaking head: Moving the head from side to side to indicate disagreement, denial, or disapproval.

Directional and Instructional Gestures

• Pointing: Extending a finger to indicate a direction, object, or person.
• Beckoning gesture: A motion used to call someone over or to follow, typically made by waving one or more fingers.

Emotive Gestures

• Facepalm: Placing the hand over the face as an expression of embarrassment, frustration, or disbelief.
• Shrug: Raising both shoulders to express ignorance, indifference, or the lack of concern about something.

Cultural and Religious Gestures

• Namaste: A gesture of greeting, respect, and gratitude, common in South Asia. It involves pressing the palms together near the chest and bowing.
• Sign of the cross: A gesture signifying blessing, protection, or devoutness in Christian traditions, made by tracing the shape of a cross over the body.

Significance and Interpretation

The interpretation of gestures can vary significantly across different cultures and contexts. What may be considered a friendly gesture in one culture could be seen as offensive in another. For example, the thumbs up gesture is considered positive in many Western cultures but can be offensive in parts of the Middle East and South America.

See Also

• Body language
• Facial expression
• Sign language

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