BBC's Day in Pictures

January 11, 2010

Despite how busy I am at work, I always make time to read the news. I particularly like the CBC, but I also have a fondness for the Beeb; I especially love the BBC's Day in Pictures. There are usually fascinating photos that are posted from around the world. Today, the pictures included a landscape photo from Spain with the ground and the trees covered with snow, a picture of a man in India wrapped up warm in a blanket and a photo of a group of Japanese girls at a coming of age ceremony. In the photo, the girls are wearing beautifully coloured kimonos with fur collars; they have their hair and make-up done just perfectly; and they are all giving the V sign with their fingers. Today's question is: what is the meaning of the V sign in photographs?

Photo from BBC's Day in Pictures

A. The first thing I must clarify, is that I did not mean the two fingers with palm facing the signer. Having lived in the UK, I understand this means the equivalent of showing your middle finger here in North America. There is a lengthy explanation involving the French, English archers and removal of extremities; this may be explored in a future post.

The V was popularized by Winston Churchill as a victory salute after WWII. In years to follow, it was also used by Charles De Gaulle and Richard Nixon. In the sixties, it was adopted as a sign of peace by hippies protesting the Vietnam war.

In recent years, it has become prevalent in East Asian countries such as Japan, South Korea and China. The use of the V has become a meme associated with Asian people and taking photos. The popularity of the V can be traced back to 1972; although there is no definitive answer as to who was the person to spread craze. The first theory points to a popular Japanese actor and singer named Junji Inoue. He was featured in a Konica commercial taking photos of people all giving the peace sign. According to Inoue, the idea for the sign was based on his perception of it's popularity in the United States. The second account is from the American figure skater Janet Lynn, who was competing in the 1972 Sapporo, Japan Winter Olympics. During her free style performance, she fell on the ice, but smiled through, and went on to win the bronze medal. Her cheerful face made her an overnight sensation with the Japanese. Lynn, a peace activist, was frequently shown in print media and on television flashing the peace sign and has been credited with popularizing it in Japan.

Sources:

BBC News - Day in Pictures

Tyler Bell Blog: Origin of the Two Fingered Japanese Victory Salute

Wikipedia: V sign