# Symbols that have different or no meaning in various cutures **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 10, 2012, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/symbols-that-have-different-or-no-meaning-in-various-cutures/624673 "2012-06-10T03:07:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/symbols-that-have-different-or-no-meaning-in-various-cutures/624673/21 "2012-06-12T09:42:11Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Yes. European dragons are serpent-like, associated with the Devil, and always on a violent rampage. Not always, the dragon of Aralar (who was actually the Devil) was threatening a single dude. In Spain the tick mark isn’t frequently used (to the extreme where most people can’t even figure out what to call it when it appears in a computer program), and the X can be positive or negative, it’s not an automatic “bad”. The act of putting ticks or other marks on a list to mark checked items does have a consistent name, the mark itself doesn’t: my American coworkers were quite surprised when they saw us “tick” the same list three times against three different comparison lists: the first time, ; the second pass, / (making X); third pass, circle the X. ---
**Author:** ![zagloba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/977dab/32.png) [@zagloba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zagloba)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/symbols-that-have-different-or-no-meaning-in-various-cutures/624673/22 "2012-06-12T11:08:21Z")
The [Phallus paintings in Bhutan](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phallus_paintings_in_Bhutan) would surely have a different meaning if someone tagged your house with one. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/symbols-that-have-different-or-no-meaning-in-various-cutures/624673/23 "2012-06-12T22:32:33Z")
I find this interesting: [Color Meanings of the world](http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/colours-in-cultures/) ---
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/symbols-that-have-different-or-no-meaning-in-various-cutures/624673/24 "2012-06-12T22:45:49Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > The swastika is an obvious example. It [symbolizes various things elsewhere](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika#Contemporary_use_in_Asia), but in the West it’s come to mean Nazism and nothing else. Yeah try explaining to your Australian raised son that the swastika on his Grandma’s traditional Finnish costume is not about Nazis… ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/symbols-that-have-different-or-no-meaning-in-various-cutures/624673/25 "2012-06-13T01:29:05Z")
> [@even\_sven](#): > > And never, ever, wear a green hat (the symbol of a cuckold)! I have a green knit cap that I sometimes wear in cold weather. After years of various Chinese coworkers, one of them finally told me about this. ---
**Author:** ![auRa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c4cdca/32.png) [@auRa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/auRa)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/symbols-that-have-different-or-no-meaning-in-various-cutures/624673/26 "2012-06-13T10:08:17Z")
> [@Mops](#): > > Only, e.g. here in Germany it is not obvious - the check mark does carry a meaning of ‘correct’ but the x does not to my knowledge carry a meaning of ‘incorrect’. In a form, putting a ✓ or an x into a box means the same thing: ‘yes/this applies’. I spent 9 years in an international school where, when grading tests, ✓ stood for “correct” and x for “incorrect”. However, In Finnish schools, grading tests or exams is done by marking % for “correct” and ✓ for “incorrect” (actually, I think it’s more of a V for väärin or wrong, but the same shape anyway). This led to some initially very disappointed young girls when I was substituting as an English teacher at a Finnish elementary. “All wrong??? But I thought I was good at English.” “What? No… Ohhhh. Let me change that a bit.” ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/symbols-that-have-different-or-no-meaning-in-various-cutures/624673/27 "2012-06-13T11:20:32Z")
The phrase “Every dog has its day” exists both in English and in Arabic, but with opposite meanings. In English, it means that the subject may be losing now, but sooner or later his day will come to shine. In Arabic culture, however, dogs have a negative association - so the phrase is a curse, short for “every dog has its day\* to hang\*”. The subject may be on top now, but sooner or later he’ll be brought down. ---
**Author:** ![Hokkaido\_Brit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/d26b3c/32.png) [@Hokkaido\_Brit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hokkaido_Brit)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/symbols-that-have-different-or-no-meaning-in-various-cutures/624673/28 "2012-06-13T11:50:05Z")
In Japan too, a tick ✓ means “incorrect”, so that led to great confusion when I was marking papers at first, too. Correct is symbolized by a circle O, and in many cases when a teacher just wants to indicate that they have seen a student’s work, it’s a great big circle over the whole page. If an elementary kid has done well the teacher will embellish the circle into a flower and call it a “hana maru” which is greatly sought after as a sign of high praise. But as a kid I’d have been livid if my teacher had scribbled all over my work!! ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/symbols-that-have-different-or-no-meaning-in-various-cutures/624673/29 "2012-06-13T15:50:13Z")
> [@zagloba](#): > > The [Phallus paintings in Bhutan](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phallus_paintings_in_Bhutan) would surely have a different meaning if someone tagged your house with one. “Thunderbolt of Flaming Wisdom”. Oh God, it’s perfect. I’m using that from now on. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2012, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/symbols-that-have-different-or-no-meaning-in-various-cutures/624673/30 "2012-06-14T20:09:06Z")
[The V for victory finger sign](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_sign). In Austraila, doing it with your palm facing inward is like flipping the bird. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2012, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/symbols-that-have-different-or-no-meaning-in-various-cutures/624673/31 "2012-06-14T23:10:14Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > [The V for victory finger sign](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_sign). In Austraila, doing it with your palm facing inward is like flipping the bird. I understand that’s the case in much of Europe as well. ---
**Author:** ![Neevil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Neevil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neevil)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/symbols-that-have-different-or-no-meaning-in-various-cutures/624673/32 "2012-06-15T00:28:38Z")
> [@Raguleader](#): > > I understand that’s the case in much of Europe as well. Yes it is, well in the UK and Ireland anyway, up to this point I hadn’t realised that it is not a well known gesture in the US. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/symbols-that-have-different-or-no-meaning-in-various-cutures/624673/33 "2012-06-15T01:01:01Z")
India - Middle finger as far as I know means nothing and people use it to count all the time. A thumbs up, while it has become more ubiquitous, really means “I’m not talking to you.” Siblings do this all the time. “Kati”, it’s called. Swastika, of course. Every time people buy a new car in India they paint a giant swastika on the hood to get the gods’ blessings. Owls are dumb. “Son of an owl” is similar to, although milder, than “Son of a bitch”, only it’s insulting to dad. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/symbols-that-have-different-or-no-meaning-in-various-cutures/624673/34 "2012-06-15T05:03:19Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > In Arabic culture, however, dogs have a negative association - so the phrase is a curse, short for “every dog has its day\* to hang\*”. The subject may be on top now, but sooner or later he’ll be brought down. The Spanish version of that is _a cada cerdo le llega su San Martín_, “every pig reaches butchering day”. Yeah, I don’t think it’s going to be a popular expression with the majority of speakers of Arabic. ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/symbols-that-have-different-or-no-meaning-in-various-cutures/624673/35 "2012-06-15T06:49:19Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Swastika, of course. Every time people buy a new car in India they paint a giant swastika on the hood to get the gods’ blessings. Not just in India too, but Buddhists generally too-my grandmother has a paper where a swastika composed of Chinese characters on the wall (as presumably) a good luck symbol. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/symbols-that-have-different-or-no-meaning-in-various-cutures/624673/36 "2012-06-15T08:01:24Z")
Pink has no meaning of femininity in Arabic culture. ---
**Author:** ![Noone\_Special](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noone_special/32/2863_2.png) [@Noone\_Special](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noone_Special)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/symbols-that-have-different-or-no-meaning-in-various-cutures/624673/37 "2012-06-15T09:13:42Z")
I don’t know how (if at all) widespread this is in other cultures, but Israelis will put thumb and all 4 fingertips together, palm upwards, and very mildly shake that hand, to signify “hold on a minute.” I believe that in (at least) Italy and Spain this same gesture means “suck my d\*\*k!” :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/symbols-that-have-different-or-no-meaning-in-various-cutures/624673/38 "2012-06-15T10:02:51Z")
> [@Noone\_Special](#): > > I believe that in (at least) Italy and Spain this same gesture means “suck my d\*\*k!” :eek: Uh? No. At least I would never put it that strongly. It’s more like “are you shitting me?” after someone has been asking for the moon with a red ribbon, delivered by hand, or “so, what is it you’re talking about, uh?” after making the previous requestor go himself through the reasons why it’s impossible. The movement isn´t particularly mild, either.\* “Hey, **Nava** , I want the new manuals ready for Monday” “OK then, does that mean I’m not preparing and running the data loads?” “Oh no no, the data loads have absolute priority!” Hand gesture. With both hands. It can also be used to indicate “are we trying to make a deal, or are we just shooting the breeze?” in a business situation, for example. A perfectly normal and friendly one, not the kind where you tell the customer to go fuck the bitch who birthed him if he knows who it was. - If anyboy knows why does my kbd go to a pre1930s layout at random, I´d love to know. And no, I can´t take it out of the list of layouts. Damnit. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/symbols-that-have-different-or-no-meaning-in-various-cutures/624673/39 "2012-06-15T10:51:25Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > Pink has no meaning of femininity in Arabic culture. Prior to about 1920, it was a [boy’s color](http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/When-Did-Girls-Start-Wearing-Pink.html) in the US > [@](#): > > a June 1918 article from the trade publication Earnshaw’s Infants’ Department said, “The generally accepted rule is pink for the boys, and blue for the girls. The reason is that pink, being a more decided and stronger color, is more suitable for the boy, while blue, which is more delicate and dainty, is prettier for the girl.” ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2012, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/symbols-that-have-different-or-no-meaning-in-various-cutures/624673/40 "2012-06-15T11:39:06Z")
Cyrano de Bergerac wore a white feather (panache) as a symbol of his courage. The word has come to mean a dashing manner in English. In England, however, people accused of cowardice were given white feathers by their colleagues. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/symbols-that-have-different-or-no-meaning-in-various-cutures/624673.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/symbols-that-have-different-or-no-meaning-in-various-cutures/624673.md?page=3)