<P> This superstition thus became popular among many early European Christian cultures . In some places, a comrade or well - wisher placed his index finger over the index finger of the person making the wish, the two fingers forming a cross . The one person makes the wish, the other empathizes and supports . Over centuries, the custom was simplified, so that a person could wish on his own, by crossing his index and middle fingers to form an X . But traces remain--two people hooking index fingers as a sign of greeting or agreement is still common in some circles today . </P> <P> Charles Panati believes that the act of crossing one's fingers as a sign of luck or making a wish traces back to pre-Christian times, speculating that the cross was a symbol of unity and benign spirits dwelt at the intersection point . A wish made on a cross was a way of "anchoring" the wish at the intersection of the cross until the wish was fulfilled . </P> <P> The 1787 A Provincial Glossary, with a Collection of Local Proverbs, and Popular Superstitions by Francis Grose records the recommendation to keep one's fingers crossed until one sees a dog to avert the bad luck attracted by walking under a ladder . </P> <P> In Vietnam the gesture is considered rude, especially to another person . Referring to female genitals, it is comparable to the finger in western culture . </P>

What does the two middle fingers crossed mean