posted on Feb, 13 2008 @ 01:07 AM
As far as the british are concerned, the V symbol has two meanings, one based on palm forward, one on palm backwards.
If you make a V with the palm backwards, it is similar to the "middle finger" salute used by americans in meaning, at least in modern terms -
however, it supposedly dates back to the battle of hastings - where there were various threats by one side ( I forget which ) threatened to cut off
the bowfingers of the other side upon victory, and after the battle, the bowfingers were proudly displayed as still quite attached to the hands of
said archers.
The alternate, with palm forward, supposedly represents V for Victory, especially regarding churchill and his use of it.