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Chinese number gestures Wikipedia

Chinese number gestures refers to the Chinese method of using one hand to signify the numbers one through ten. While the five digits on one hand can easily express the numbers one through five, six through ten have special signs that can be used in commerce or day-to-day communication. The predominant system is as follows:

• Six - The pinky and thumb are extended, other fingers closed, sometimes with the palm facing the signer.

• Seven - The fingertips are all touching, pointed upwards; or just the fingertips of the thumb and first two fingers; a less common method is similar to the eight described immediately below, except that the pinky is also extended.

• Eight - The thumb and index finger make an "L", other fingers closed, with the palm facing the observer.

• Nine - The index finger makes a hook, other fingers closed, sometimes with the palm facing the signer.

• Ten - The fist is closed with the palm facing the signer; or the middle finger crosses an extended index finger, facing the observer.

In Taiwan, signs for numbers differ significantly from those described above. The symbol for 7 has an alternate meaning, and the symbol for 9 above, also described as such in Lonely Planet, actually means "death". The signs used in Taiwan are as follow:

• Six - As above, the pinky and thumb are extended.

• Seven - The thumb and index finger make an "L" as in the symbol for eight above.

• Eight - The thumb, index finger, and middle finger are extended.

• Nine - Four digits excluding the pinky are extended. Since it is not independent of the ring finger, this can be difficult to do.

• Ten - The index fingers of both hands are crossed in an "X" with the palms facing in opposite directions.

Universally, the numbers one through five are more trivial. For completeness:

• One - The index finger is extended.

• Two - The index and middle fingers are extended.

• Three - The thumb holds the pinky in palm with the middle three fingers extended.

• Four - The thumb is held in palm with the four fingers extended.

• Five - All five digits are extended.

Last Modified:   2005-11-07