According to Alexa, A thumb placed between the middle and index fingers is an offensive gesture in some parts of China and its meaning is similar to giving the middle finger in Western countries.
And pinky finger is considered the last of the five fingers that most people have, as thumb is considered the first one.
Basically being the last here is rendered by a negative meaning of being weak and neglectable.
Giving the pinky finger isn’t equivalent to giving the middle finger.
If there was a scale, giving the pinky finger would be a 1 and the middle finger a 10.
Fun Fact:
AdultsChinese don’t give pinky fingers. They just give middle fingers as Americans do.
( Some Chinese also use middle finger as face losing compliments. For example, he lost the baskterball match and gave his opponent a middle finger. )
Giving pinky fingers more of an act between children as a form of teasing.
When we tell kids about a promise, a childish way would be two people holding out one of their pinky fingers and hooking the pinky fingers together while chanting.
“拉勾上吊一百年不许变”（meaning since hooked the fingers then the promise is going to be valid for 100years).
(There are many other fun facts about China waiting for you to find out. Have you heard about Chinese Cha Bu duo mindset?)
Really Rude Gestures in China:
- Point at someone directly with your finger or utensils (such as chopsticks). Even worse if the object you’re pointing with is dirty.
- Pointing at someone or something with your feet. Or exposing the soles of your feet to someone.
- Moving or touching objects with your feet. In China, feet are considered dirty.
Other Types Of Gestures And Body Language:
A popular way to say thank you when people pour alcohol into your glass is by tapping two fingers on the table.
While “thumbs up,” in common with many other countries around the world, is a sign of quality and excellence.
What Does the Chinese Middle Finger Mean?
1. Chinese Middle Finger – Spiritual Meaning:
- The Hindu Chinese minority refer to the middle finger as the “heavenly finger,” symbolizing infinity and the universe. Through meditation, they use the finger to get rid of fear and direct energy in a good way.
- In Buddhism, the middle finger is used in Karana Mudra and Dharmachakra to ward off evil, illness and obstacles.
- In Taoism, the finger is part of hand gestures like Sword, Tao, Jin Gang and San Qing and is used in Nine Hand Seal or Kuji-in meditation exercises to increase awareness and positive energy.
2.Chinese Middle Finger As Insulting Gesture:
Even if the meaning of the middle finger in China is more complex than in Western culture, people will still use it as an insulting gesture.
But the sexual interpretation of this finger is still not assigned to the Chinese culture as they borrowed it from other cultures.
3.Chinese Middle Finger – Meditation Meaning:
Chinese elderly often engage in meditation, regardless of their religion, by using the middle finger as a symbol of the Fire Element.
In this video, it explains the element for each finger.
This is believed to bring prosperity, wealth, and positive results to their meditations.
Raising the middle finger to the sky is seen as a healing gesture and is thought to bring about mental balance and spiritual awareness.
Additionally, some yogic practices involve connecting to the higher self through the middle finger.
4.Chinese Middle Finger – Sorcery Meaning:
The middle finger can also be used in different Chinese sorcery practices to chase dark or black magic.
Since this finger symbolizes fire and positive energy, it is believed that it can shield the person or the situation against harmful external energy sent in their direction.
Final Words:
Chinese people don’t gesture very much and most consider hand gestures to be unnecessary and annoying.
So when speaking with Chinese people, try to keep your use of hand gestures to a minimum.
If you like what I write, please share with frineds on social or leave me a comment down below! :)
Chinese Middle Finger Memes:
Frequently Asked Questions:FAQ
What is the Chinese middle finger?
A thumb placed between the middle and index fingers is an offensive gesture in some parts of China and its meaning is similar to giving the middle finger in Western countries.
What does the middle finger represent in Chinese medicine?
The middle finger represents the body’s head, neck, and trunk.
The thumb and little finger represent the legs, and the index and ring fingers represent the arms.
What finger is disrespectful in China?
Pinky finger is considered the last of the five fingers that most people have, as thumb is considered the first one.
Basically being the last here is rendered by a negative meaning of being weak and neglectable.
What does the pink finger mean in China?
There are 2 meanings:
- The pink finger means being weak and neglectable in China.
- Giving pinky fingers more of an act between children as a form of teasing.
When we tell kids about a promise, a childish way would be two people holding out one of their pinky fingers and hooking the pinky fingers together while chanting.
What does two fingers mean in China?
The tapping of the fingers is a way to say thank you if you are in the middle of a conversation.
