Crossing fingers for good luck is a common superstition that may have originated from early Christianity or pre-Christianity. The gesture may have been used as a secret sign among Christians during the religion’s early outlawed period. The act of crossing fingers was probably a two-person process, but evolved over time to be done independently. The modern version of crossing fingers may have arisen during the Hundred Years War.
The custom of crossing your fingers for good luck is quite common. Superstition states that the act of crossing the index and middle fingers brings good luck and wards off evil spirits or witches. While the origins of this gesture are somewhat obscure, the sign is commonly believed to have originated from early Christianity or pre-Christianity. While there is no solid evidence of any theory, the prevalence of crossing fingers in cultures with a Christian background lends credence to the claim. This idea is further supported by the fact that the gesture is not common across Muslim or Buddhist cultures.
Some historians argue that this gesture predates Christianity and was one of the first European devices. Those who believed in sacred geometry thought that kind spirits lived at the crossroads of crosses. These believers extended their index fingers to make wishes. One person held out his finger and made a wish. The second person responded by crossing his or her finger, showing support for the idea and invoking the good spirits.
The theory of a Christian origin of the crossing of the fingers is based on the early periods of the history of the religion. During these early times, Christianity was an outlawed religion and Christ’s disciples usually formed a secret society. To protect the identities of cult followers, secret hand signs were developed so that members could recognize each other.
When it first started, the act of crossing your fingers was probably a two-person process. One Christian extended his hand with his forefinger and thumb in an L shape, and another Christian did the same. When their thumbs were pressed together and their index fingers were crossed, this would form the shape of the Christian fish symbol. Over the years, the signs of the cross and the fish have come to symbolize good luck and blessings, as well as Christianity.
While the process of crossing your fingers for luck may have been around for ages, it required the actions of two people. Sometimes, however, an individual needs that extra luck when there isn’t another person around. The evolution of the gesture was inevitable as people developed ways to cross their fingers – and command their fortunes – independently.
The modern version of crossing your fingers probably arose during the time of the Hundred Years War. In this epic war between France and England, which lasted from 1337 to 1457, the rival armies wanted all the luck they could muster. The archer preparing to shoot would cross his fingers and then say a prayer before pulling his bowstring.
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