"Fingers Crossed"?

Question

What does it mean? I use it sometimes and I know it's like saying "Good Luck" but I don't where does it originate. Does it have anything to do with the crucifixion/christian cross?

Answer 1

As with the Sign of the Cross, the Fingers Crossed action is used when the person feels the need for good luck, courage or protection. Most people accept that it's superstition at its simplest, yet is it so common, in both action and speech. But when did it originate?


Crossing the first two fingers is a good luck sign recognised around the world. It is, however, not so common in Buddhist and Muslim cultures, suggesting that the symbol's origin is Christian and was imported to Asian countries along with other Western ideas, food, fashion, technology, karaoke (no, wait a minute...).

We have no reliable evidence to support this, but one theory goes that during the various times when Christianity was illegal, the crossing of fingers was a secret sign for Christians to recognise each other. Yet whilst the Sign of the Cross has evolved into a 'good luck' symbol and retained its Christian meaning, Fingers Crossed has lost any Christian connection.

This change of emphasis may have begun during the so-called 'Hundred Years War' between France and England (1337-1457). An archer would cross his first and second fingers, pray or wish for luck, and then draw back his longbow string with those same fingers.

Another theory suggests that the sign pre-dates Christianity, when it was believed that benign spirits dwelt at the intersecting point of the cross, as in the Solar Cross. In Europe, the sign was made by two people; the first to make the wish and the second to support it. Linking their fingers firmly would squeeze and energize the spirits into beneficial action.

God Bless You

Answer 2

We have no reliable evidence to support this, but one theory goes that during the various times when Christianity was illegal, the crossing of fingers was a secret sign for Christians to recognise each other. Yet whilst the Sign of the Cross has evolved into a 'good luck' symbol and retained its Christian meaning, Fingers Crossed has lost any Christian connection.
http://www.seiyaku.com/customs/fingers-crossed.html

Answer 3

Well, its actually the other way round in terms of Christian thinking borrowing from Pagan beliefs. Remember, there is pleanty of evidence that Jesus was crucified on a steak, not a cross.

Answer 4

No, it has nothing to do with God. You should rather ask Him for His help, not rely on luck which is not of God.