Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2024 January 16

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January 16

Taiwanese presidential swearing-in ceremony

Having checked the official website and this photo, I couldn't find major differences between it and Nazi salute. The only difference I'm seeing is that elbow is bent, but not all people on that photo do that. Is there a formally prescribed instruction on that to compare? 213.134.142.249 (talk) 13:20, 16 January 2024 (UTC)

In the Taiwanese photo, it is important that everyone is holding a paper or leaflet of some kind. If they weren't, it is very likely that they would make the same gesture with both hands. With the palm facing outward, it is a gesture of surrender that is very often seen in religious settings. Members of the congregation hold their palms foward as a surrender to whom or whatever they are worshipping. In many countries, the leader of a country is given a religious reverence. The Nazi salute is similar, but the arm should be as close to 45 degrees as possible and the palm facing down. The fingers should be directed at the person directing whatever is being done. For example, members of a parade do not point their arms forward. They point them at the leader, rotating as they march by. 12.116.29.106 (talk) 16:39, 16 January 2024 (UTC)

In central Europe, a similar oath-taking gesture, but with only three extended fingers, is called a Schwurhand. Alansplodge (talk) 18:34, 16 January 2024 (UTC)

Ah, thanks. 212.180.235.46 (talk) 20:03, 16 January 2024 (UTC)

Some of those schwurhands look like Scout sign and salutes, and some of them are two-fingered salutes. DuncanHill (talk) 00:45, 18 January 2024 (UTC)

It doesn't quite look like the Nazi salute. It seems more like a variant of "raise your right hand" upon taking an oath. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 18:52, 16 January 2024 (UTC)

Bear in mind that pre-WWII, Americans pledging allegiance to the flag used the 45 degree, open palm salute. The hand over the heart replaced it once a certain German became associated with the gesture. DOR (ex-HK) (talk) 21:20, 16 January 2024 (UTC)

One of many things he ruined. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 21:49, 16 January 2024 (UTC)

I used to have an old coin (1920s or 1930s) with various good luck symbols on it. Including a swastika. I doubt such a coin would be minted anywhere in the West at any point since 1945. Though it is good to remember that in other areas and cultures it remains a holy symbol. --User:Khajidha (talk) (contributions) 22:11, 18 January 2024 (UTC)

Oh prepare for some curiousities: My friend visited Indonesia for a scholarship like fifteen years ago... and she said it ain't a problem to purchase a t-shirt with that German there, as the events were quite far away and they considered him to have been a great warrior. It's OR but I swear it's true. --Ouro (blah blah) 16:06, 20 January 2024 (UTC)