Crossed fingers

[4] It gained traction, especially in 16th-century England, where people crossed their fingers to ward off evils and ill health.

[5] The practice of crossing fingers for luck or protection against misfortune is deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric of the UK and parts of Scandinavia.

Remarkably, the crossed fingers gesture persists in school playgrounds, where it serves as a symbolic shield against perceived threats.

[citation needed] Crossed fingers remain a widely recognized and practised symbol, showing the enduring nature of cultural superstitions and protective rituals.

In South Africa, Afrikaans speakers also have the related phrase "duim vashou" meaning "holding thumbs tightly".