Pagans believed that crossed fingers invited good spirits and also act as anchors for good wishes and luck.
So, whenever they wanted to wish someone good luck, they emphasize their good wish by crossing their fingers.
Originally, people would cross each other's fingers (index finger over index finger) after one of them made a wish and this eventually evolved into one person crossing their fingers on their own.
It was also believed that crossing your fingers would ward off evil.
The Catholics most likely adopted this gesture from the pagans for their own rituals as crossing fingers resembles an actual cross.
The Christians would cross their fingers to invoke the power associated with Christ's cross for protection when they were faced with evil.
But the gesture dates way back to the pre-Christian Pagan era.
The solar cross signifies power and authority.
People believed in a ‘sacred geometry’, and that good spirits reposed at the intersections of crosses.
During this time, crossing fingers was not a solo act, and people would gesture using two fingers – putting index finger onto other person’s index finger.
This practice provoked modern day activities like hand shaking and pinky promises.
Originally, crossing fingers meant one sought protection and served to fasten a wish until it could come true.
