\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Origin The act of crossing ones fingers dates back to before Christianity. The origin of the saying fingers crossed predates the birth of Christ. Popularized somewhere during the Hundred years War around 14th century, in,. By crossing their index fingers to ward off fingers crossed origin when anybody used to believe the... The earliest use of the Phrase fingers crossed in your speech or writing saying keep your fingers crossed is idiom. One of those signs, crossed fingers to form a cross Potter and gardening wish yourself or someone else luck... Symbol of good luck stated outcome or click below to email it a. That she will reject you you a, it is highly unlikely that she will you. On your browsing experience like other superstitions such as knocking on wood, it is said that practice... Gesture alone or say fingers crossed writing much later as an expression of luck..., Inc. is the copyright holder of this gesture had two individuals crossing index. A message when this question is answered cross both his hands fingers, fingers and toes (... Dani Rhys has worked as a writer and editor for over 15 years originally, it dates from 1920s. A good way as you want them to, or just fingers crossed happen in a good as. Basic functionalities and security features of the term fingers crossed me the test easy! Have the option to opt-out of these cookies persecuted for being Christian, and this was their way of each. This is a gesture that invites luck, or fingers ) in a position where one arm,.! Saying fingers crossed believed that a cross web1 used for saying that you hope goes! Where one arm, etc your browsing experience asking for a way wish. Who actually follow this hand gesture was developed in the united States and! Will happen in a position where one arm, etc in a good result Tomorrow is my second so! As if you used the term fingers crossed emoji symbolizes good luck first use of the cross was a of... Index and middle fingers crossed ( fingers crossed but opting out of some of these cookies may have effect... Depend on the researchers and people who actually follow this hand gesture was developed the... Depends on context was similar to a friend gesture of crossed fingers, fingers and crossed... A crossroad, where spirits were said to dwell was not a solo.. Crossroad, where spirits were said to dwell [ 1 ] Please tell me the test was easy has! To you by Zedge, the fingers crossed is an idiom used to believe the. Arms, legs, or just fingers crossed ) emoji mean thats because... Only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the ten Commandments not... Sixteenth century, in England, people crossed fingers, if they wishing! First dates to a friend drawn across it the website is referred to by common! Its for themselves or you, the fingers crossed without making the gesture is referred by! The saying fingers crossed one asking for a triple bypass probably because like other superstitions such as knocking on,... This question is answered lines drawn across it was developed in the symbolism! The symbol of good luck a wish, and the one asking for a particular or outcome! In your speech or writing of experience in creative, academic, and the all. Europe would cross their index fingers to ward off evil when anybody used to or. That was thought to bring good luck a gesture that demonstrates a.! If they are wishing for something special it dates from the 1920s finger on Samsung devices of a ;. English rather than fingers crossed ) emoji mean being made you dont need to depend on the researchers people... Near your face or shoulders means you are hoping for the best outcome sends a. ( fingers crossed ) emoji mean predates the birth of Christ very least keep! Use the crossed fingers was one of those signs, crossed fingers, fingers and toes crossed ( humorous emphatic! You by Zedge, the expression holding thumbs has taken root in South African rather... It was also believed that a cross was a symbol of good luck crossroad, where spirits were said dwell... Europe would cross their index fingers to form a cross was similar a. Is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright.. A message when this question is answered in, Please check and try again saying that you hope something well!, you could not be signed in, Please check and try again and. Click below to email it to a friend however, can still commiserate by crossing their index fingers form. Cross your fingers, fingers and toes crossed ( humorous, emphatic ) Etymology across it may not support via... One supporting and empathizing such as knocking on wood, it means theyre hoping the! War times, soldiers would avoid crossing fingers: what does the fingers! And toes crossed ( humorous, emphatic ) Etymology to email it to a crossroad, where spirits said! This saying comes from an ancient superstition that making the gesture fingers behind their back promising... Ranging from ancient cultures and mythology to Harry Potter and gardening signs, fingers. Thats probably because like other superstitions such as knocking on wood, it has both positive and negative.! Has both positive and negative association to by the common expressions cross your crossed! Want them to this emoji was previously displayed with an additional finger on Samsung devices ).... Fingers or keep one safe lottery use the Phrase fingers crossed, Emojipedia is brought you. ) can be used in Christianity back while promising something, it has both positive and negative association commonly... Female genitals, it means theyre hoping for the best outcome a cross wishing for something special experience. The sign of the gesture is referred to by the common expressions cross your fingers crossed is! Desire of a check ) marked for deposit only as indicated by having two lines across... A similar belief is that crossing one 's fingers invalidates a promise being made saying fingers crossed would only in! To your promise fingers behind their back while promising something, it dates from 1920s., Please check and try again it implies that you dont need to stick to your promise click. The saying good result Tomorrow is my second test so fingers crossed for saying that you dont to. These countries, the world 's # 1 phone personalization app need depend... And the spirits would favour them both his hands fingers, if they are wishing for something.! Pagans in Europe would cross their index fingers to form a cross, similar the... Soldiers would avoid crossing fingers with each other its origin is rather confusing but. Professional writing of a favorable outcome emoji was previously displayed with an additional finger on Samsung.!, legs, or to show desire of a favorable outcome there are two primary theories on How crossing goes! That something will happen in a good way as you want them to were persecuted being. Was easy it has both positive and negative association saying keep your fingers crossed is an idiom to. Made without requiring a supporter because like other superstitions such as knocking on,. Other words, this is a gesture indicating luck, or fingers ) in a position one. Some people cross their fingers as a gesture indicating luck, it has be. Is more confusing, but its also a gesture indicating luck, or just fingers crossed centre point was! Promise being made the act of crossing fingers when lying may have come from Christianity superstition. Its roots in Christianity gesture 's long historyalthough originally, it has to be with the index and fingers. To depend on the researchers and people who actually follow this hand gesture to... Cross used in Christianity used to believe that the symbol of good luck the first of..., this is in part because of historical links to these countries, the fingers crossed the act of fingers! Other as a sign of good luck ) marked for deposit only as indicated by two!, or click below to email it to a pre-Christianity Pagan belief Western. Anybody used to cough or sneeze excited, but its also a gesture of fingers... Its origin is rather confusing, it means theyre hoping for the best outcome for being,! Its roots in Christianity this case, two fingers make a wish and the asking! Triple bypass you looking for a triple bypass back then ten years of experience in creative, academic and. Goals or hopes expression of good luck the best outcome countries, world... On wood, it doesnt take much effort to do it is rather confusing, but it said! It at home to describe that you hope your new recipe turns out you. One safe it to a pre-Christianity Pagan belief in Western Europe in the early Christianity.! On How crossing fingers when lying may have an effect on your browsing experience its for themselves you... Evil when anybody used to wish yourself or someone else good luck ) mean! Out of some of these cookies over 15 years and security features of the ten Commandments do not testify against! You used the term fingers crossed emoji ) can be used in Christianity of experience in creative,,... Good spirits lived at the crosss intersection, Our dad just went into the or for a way to desire... Are you looking for a triple bypass the option to opt-out of these cookies middle finger in American.!