The Hunger Games: What is the meaning of the symbol made with three fingers in the film?

With the release of the new film in the franchise Hunger Games, the question that many viewers had since the first films resurfaced: What does the symbol made with three fingers, made by the characters throughout the films, mean? The gesture is often used in resistance movements and has become a very important symbol in the development of the plot.

Hunger GamesSet in the region formerly known as North America, the Capital of Panem controls 12 districts and forces them to choose a boy and a girl, known as tributes, to compete in an annual televised event. All citizens watch the dreaded games, in which young people fight to the death, so that only one emerges victorious. Young Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), from District 12, relies on his hunting skills and bow skills, as well as his keen instincts, in this deadly competition (synopsis via Google).

Origin of the gesture:

Suzanne Collinsbefore writing Hunger Games, worked for many years with children’s television, and understood the impact of symbols on communication, which inspired her to bring a symbol to her production. Two of the important symbols that the author brought into the saga were the thrush, a genetically modified bird that becomes a symbol of resistance, and the salute with the hand, made with three fingers.

The gesture initially used by District 12 was a symbol of respect, farewell and gratitude, when Katniss volunteers to participate in the games and spare her sister, she makes the symbol to the audience, who reciprocates with the same. Later, during the games Katniss repeats the symbol a few times for the cameras televising the event.

After the games, the character becomes a symbol of revolution, and his supporters begin to replicate his gesture in all other districts.