Scout sign and salute

The Scout salute is a greeting, give yourself the scouts around the world. When Scout salute you enough to the left, " from the heart " next hand, while the right is raised up about shoulder height. This exhibit index, middle and ring fingers up and the thumb lies on his little finger. In part, it is customary to bend the arm to the head when a head covering ( scout hat, beret ) is worn.

When greeting formulas are all-time in German-speaking countries willing or used good path, known internationally is the English Be prepared ( Be ( d) ready).

Right hand

The sign of the right hand has the following meaning:

• The three upright fingers stand for the three points of the Scout promise ( commitment to God, duty to others and commitment to yourself / the Scout Law ) and for the three leaves of the lily or the shamrock (which stand for the same meaning ). In some scouts frets the interpretation exists loyal, honest and helpful.
• The thumb ( the Strong ) protects the little finger ( the weak ).

Handshake

Scouts rich in greeting, in contrast to the usual shaking hands the left hand. This form of greeting was introduced by Baden -Powell as " secret characters".

There are several explanations:

• The left hand come from the heart.
• An African tribe is said to have men honored with excellent services so.
• Two warring African tribes have laid down their shields after the peace agreement and, where the then unprotected left hand as a sign of peace.
• Baden -Powell did the salute with the left hand in 1895 met during the war against the Ashanti, where he was used by the tribe of the Krobo, who distinguished himself by his courage, reliability and outstanding performance.

In Germany and some other European countries it is common to abduct the little finger of the left hand in a handshake. Thus, the hands are also folded into each, which is meant to symbolize the ( global ) connectivity. Another explanation attributes this to an ordinary character recognition in the early resistance to National Socialism. Expands to the little finger down, the others do not, you will notice it only himself, the fingers of the other travels into space.

Wölflingsgruß

The Cub Ingen, the boys ( and sometimes girls) 7-11 years, there is in place of the Boy Scouts salute the wolf greeting, while the index and middle fingers of the right hand are spread apart to symbolize the wolf ears; the thumb also protects the little finger and the ring finger to do so. In Switzerland also have the girls who Bienli, also an own greeting, he is almost the same as that of the wolves, except that no fingers spread, but together are held to show cohesion.