In the world of gestures, few are as universally recognised as the thumbs-up. We've all used it to signal approval, agreement, or success. But what if I told you that this seemingly innocent gesture has a dark and misunderstood history?
Let's dive into the fascinating story behind the thumbs-up and how it became one of history's most widespread misconceptions.
The Gladiator's Arena: Where it all began
Picture this: Ancient Rome, a roaring crowd, and gladiators fighting for their lives.
We've seen countless films depicting spectators using thumb gestures to decide a fallen gladiator's fate. But here's the kicker – Hollywood got it wrong!
The thumbs-up twist
Contrary to popular belief, in ancient Rome, a thumbs-up actually meant death! Yes, you read that right. The gesture signifying a gladiator should be spared was hiding your thumb in your fist – known as "pollice compresso" or "compressed thumb." This mimicked a sheathed sword. On the other hand, a thumbs-up resembled a drawn sword, signalling execution.
The birth of a misconception
So, how did this mix-up occur? Enter Léon Gérôme, a French artist whose 1873 painting "Pollice Verso" depicted spectators with thumbs down, signalling death. This visual representation, based on a mistranslation of "pollice verso" (meaning "turned thumb"), became the blueprint for future interpretations.
Look at the painting, you can see a victorious gladiator standing over the lifeless body of his opponent while the crowd delivers a wave of downturned thumbs!
The first line of the jeering crowds you can see the "Vestals", always virgins, supporting the crowd's gesture. Were they in favour of human death?
What do you think?
Hollywood's role
The film industry, always eager for dramatic visuals, embraced this misinterpretation. Countless films reinforced the idea that thumbs-down meant death, cementing this historical inaccuracy in popular culture.
Today, the thumbs-up is universally recognised as a positive gesture. This shift in meaning is attributed to the influence of Christianity, where the upward thumb symbolised heaven and goodness, while the downward thumb represented hell and evil.
Interestingly, the thumbs-up has found its way into British Sign Language, further solidifying its positive connotation in modern times.
Next time you give someone a thumbs-up, remember its complex history. What was once a signal for execution is now a symbol of approval – a testament to how meanings can change dramatically over time.
So, the next time you're about to use this gesture, pause and think: are you really giving a thumbs-up, or are you unknowingly channelling an ancient gladiator's final moments?
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