In District 12, the three-finger salute is a gesture of gratitude, respect and mourning.
In Bangkok – and perhaps only in Bangkok – the subversive hand-gesture has been adopted by some anti-coup protesters, who were photographed over the weekend making the salute to protest the military junta.
The images have caused netizens to speculate whether it’s pulled from the popular book and movie series or holds another meaning.
Some have claimed it represents the French revolution’s slogan of “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity,” but there doesn’t seem to be any history of it used in that manner.
In the Hunger Games series, the three fingers are raised to show respect to the deceased and a sign of solidarity among the common people.
“It means thanks, it means admiration, it means good-bye to someone you love,” Hunger Games novelist Suzanne Collins explained.
As for the situation in Thailand, we’re not quite sure what’s the true meaning behind the popular hand sign.
Besides the Hunger Games, they could be mimicking the Boy Scout’s sign of obedience, Jedi Master Yoda’s force-pose or Snoop Dogg’s salute to “West side” living.
Photo: WVortex
Photo: @Jakkrith
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