victory hand
Unicode: 270C
Description
A hand making a 'V' sign with the index and middle fingers extended upwards and separated, while the ring finger, pinky, and thumb are closed.
Group:
People & Body > hand-fingers-partial
Status:
unqualified
Emotion:
Typically represents peace, victory, or a cheerful greeting.
Backstory
The 'V' sign has a long history, dating back to at least the Hundred Years' War. Its modern widespread use as a sign for peace or victory popularized in the 20th century, notably by Winston Churchill during WWII and later by the counter-culture movement in the 1960s. It was approved as part of Unicode 6.0 in 2010 and added to Emoji 1.0 in 2015.
Usage Examples
- Wishing peace: 'Peace out! ✌️'
- Celebrating a victory: 'We won! ✌️'
- As a greeting or farewell: 'See ya! ✌️'
- Posing for a photo: 'Say cheese! ✌️'
Cultural Differences
Western culture:
Commonly used for peace, victory, or a happy greeting. In some contexts (e.g., UK, Australia, New Zealand with palm inwards), it can be an insult.
Japan:
Often used for posing in photos, associated with cuteness or 'kawaii'.
China:
Frequently used in photos, similar to Japan, for a cute or playful pose.
South Korea:
Popular in selfies and group photos, often associated with youth culture.