Pose & style reference · Hand gestures
Peace sign pose (V sign)
Also called: V sign, peace sign pose, double peace, ピース
In short
The peace sign, or V sign, is a hand gesture with the index and middle fingers raised and spread while the other fingers fold into the palm. In Japan, China, Korea and much of East Asia it is the standard pose for casual photos, read simply as happy and friendly.
Reference photos
Photos are shown from mfan8.com with credit to the photographers and models. Tap a photo to open the full set.
How the V sign became a photo pose
The V sign meant victory in wartime Britain and peace in the 1960s counterculture. Its jump into Japanese snapshot culture in the 1970s is often credited to the American figure skater Janet Lynn, who flashed it at the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics and became hugely popular there, and to a Konica camera advertisement of the period. Whatever the exact spark, by the 1980s saying piisu while raising two fingers was routine in front of any camera.
In illustration the V sign makes a character read as upbeat and photo-aware, so it suits idols, cheerful friends and selfie scenes.
Peace sign variations
| Pose | How it looks | Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Classic V | One hand at shoulder height, palm out | Friendly, casual |
| Double peace | Both hands up, Vs at either side of the face | Excited, extra cheerful |
| Sideways V over the eye | V turned horizontal, eye framed between the fingers | Idol, playful cool |
| V under the chin | Fingers pointing down along the jaw | Cute, face-framing |
| Gyaru peace | Palm inward, V tilted, often at the cheek | 2000s gal fashion, sassy |
| Bent-finger V | Fingers curled slightly, like a crab claw | Relaxed, natural selfie |
How to draw a peace sign hand
- Block the palm as a slightly tapered box first; the two raised fingers grow from the top edge, not from the middle.
- The middle finger is longer than the index, so the V is never symmetrical.
- The ring and little fingers fold down and are held by the thumb, which crosses over them; draw the thumbnail, it makes the hand read immediately.
- Spread the V about 30 to 45 degrees. A wider spread looks strained, a narrower one becomes a pointing gesture.
- Common mistake: drawing all four knuckles in a straight line. They form a gentle arc.
Posing and etiquette
Keep the hand close to the face so it shares the focus, and angle the wrist so the camera sees the full fingers rather than an edge-on hand. A slight head tilt toward the V looks more natural than a stiff upright head.
FAQ
Why do Japanese people make the peace sign in photos?
It became a photo habit in the 1970s and 1980s; the trend is often credited to skater Janet Lynn at the 1972 Sapporo Olympics and to camera advertising of the time.
Is the peace sign rude?
With the palm facing outward it is friendly almost everywhere. With the palm facing yourself it is offensive in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.
What is a double peace?
A V sign made with both hands at once, usually beside the face, for an extra cheerful photo.