Scout sign and salute

This article is about the Scouts. For other meanings, see three-finger salute.

Scouts use a three-finger salute to salute each other, and their nation's flag. The three extended fingers stand for the three parts of the Scout Promise. The thumb and little finger touch to represent the bond that unites Scouts throughout the world.

In the Boy Scouts of America, the salute is a modification of the salute used by the United States armed forces, but with the hand held in the position of the Scout Sign, i.e. with the middle three fingers extended and the tips of the little finger and thumb joined.

In the USA, when in uniform, a Boy Scout salutes with the index (pointer) finger touching the forehead or hat brim. When not in uniform a Boy Scout simply places his hand over his heart.

The Girl Scouts of the USA use the same gesture when reciting their Girl Scout Pledge. The gesture was borrowed from the Boy Scouts.

See also