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The gestures and symbols here are classified by risk. This means none of these symbols is forbidden, but the higher the risk, the more a solid rationale is required to justify their use.
[HIGH RISK] SYMBOLS TO AVOID ENTIRELY
[HIGH RISK] SYMBOLS TO AVOID ENTIRELY
[Where: Korea]
The Rising Sun Flag often appears in games and is still used by the Japanese military. However, it is highly offensive to Koreans.
[Where: Europe, Americas]
Although the Manji symbol is different from the Nazi Swastika, it is still a taboo and banned in many countries. Most people unfamiliar with Chinese and Buddhism can't tell them apart, so there is a high risk of causing offense.
[Where: Europe, Americas]
Another known Nazi symbol, the Black Sun, is back on the news with the increase of Far Right and Neo-nazi partisanship in Europe and the Americas. The Black Sun itself, or resembling symbols, have a high risk
of causing offense.
[Where: Europe]
Common in Japanese games, as part of rarity/quality mechanics, in Europe SS is more often related to Schutzstaffel, the Nazi Army division responsible for concentration camps and genocides during WW2.
Pairing these two letters
is insensitive and big taboo in most of Europe.
[MEDIUM RISK] SYMBOLS THAT REQUIRE SPECIFIC CONTEXT
[MEDIUM RISK] SYMBOLS THAT REQUIRE SPECIFIC CONTEXT
[Where: U.S.]
The Confederate Flag is often used by characters or settings to place them in the American South. However, it is a highly divisive and polarizing symbol in the U.S. and may cause controversy.
[Where: Worldwide]
The Star of David is the sacred symbol of Judaism and Israel. Sometimes it gets mixed up with the Pentagram (on the right), so unless you're referring to Judaism/Israel, there is no other reason to use this symbol.
[Where: Europe, Americas]
The Pentagram had many meanings across history, but his version (with one side pointing down including the circle) is often associated to evil magic and Satanism. It should never be used to represent Judaism.
[MEDIUM RISK] SYMBOLS WITH DIFFERENT MEANINGS ELSEWHERE
[MEDIUM RISK] SYMBOLS WITH DIFFERENT MEANINGS ELSEWHERE
[Where: Europe, Americas]
The Finger Heart gesture in China/Korea means give me money or it'll cost you in other countries. This may cause misunderstandings
in our games.
[Where: Europe, Americas]
This gesture is often used as I love you or cool in China. In other countries, it can mean Rock 'n' Roll/Metal and the Devil's Horns. In Brazil, it also could mean 戴绿帽.
[Where: Worldwide]
The shaka sign is a Hawaiian symbol to represent friendliness and is often used by surfers and footballers.
It can also mean something is "cool", but is totally unrelated to the number 6.
[Where: Worldwide]
The Finger Gun gesture's meaning depends a lot on the context. It can be friendly and humorous, a threat, or a political statement.
[Where: Europe, Americas]
Pepe the Frog is associated with racism, discrimination, and hate crimes. These associations even caused the creator of the character to retire him completely.
[Where: Europe, Americas]
The number 666 is famously the number of the beast, related to the Antichrist (Devil), hell, and the prophecy of the Christian Apocalypse. Many considered it to be a very unlucky and unholy number, but a favorite among metalheads.
[MEDIUM RISK] GESTURES THAT ARE OFFENSIVE ELSEWHERE
[MEDIUM RISK] GESTURES THAT ARE OFFENSIVE ELSEWHERE
[Where: Brazil, France, Mexico, Turkey]
The OK Gesture doesn't mean OK in these countries, it is a reference to the anus and is equivalent to fuck you. Recently, it has also been used to symbolize white supremacy.
[Where: Latin America, Latin Europe]
Extending and flexing the arm in an L shape, as depicted above, is an insult. It is equivalent to fuck you in most Latin-language countries.
[Where: Brazil]
Using the palm of one hand to tap the other hand makes noise, as depicted above. It symbolizes sexual intercourse, and often an expletive as "you're screwed/fucked".
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