What is the three-finger salute? Thanks for asking!

Since the start of February, protesters in Myanmar have been pictured making a three-finger gesture as a symbol of opposition to the country’s recent coup d’état. They’ve taken to the streets to protest against what they see as an attack on democracy. 

So why are the protesters using the three-finger salute?

Well it might look like a scout salute but it actually comes from the Hunger Games series of books and films. The story sees heroine Katniss Everdeen lead a revolt against the rich, sadistic elite in the nation of Panem. District 12 villagers use the three-finger salute as a symbol of unity. The franchise met huge success in Asia upon the release of the first film in 2012. And the three-finger salute was actually used in Thailand in the aftermath of a coup d’état in 2014. It even ended up being made illegal. It reappeared at Hong Kong protests in 2019 and 2020, as a symbol of resistance against the Chinese government. Some activists have suggested the three raised fingers represent the French Revolution ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity.

Are you saying we can compare what’s going on in Myanmar to Hunger Games? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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