Description of the gesture:
The Roman salute involves placing a hand over one’s heart and then raising it upwards at a 45-degree angle.Origin:
The Nazis claimed the Roman salute was a greeting in ancient Rome, though there is no concrete evidence of this fact. It was most likely invented in the twentieth century.
Uses:
The Roman salute was an accepted greeting among Italian fascists as a "linkage to and revival of glorious Roman traditions.” Nazis in various countries later copied it from Italian fascists.
Use as a hate symbol:
Certain neo-fascist organizations sometimes use the Roman salute as a greeting, while individuals use it as a sign of commitment to the ideas of Italian fascist leader Benito Mussolini. The Nazi salute has supplanted the Roman salute as a common greeting among neo-Nazis.
The Roman salute is rarely used in Ukraine. In some cases, the Nazi salute is misinterpreted as a Roman salute or heart-to-sun gesture. This explanation is usually made in an attempt to disguise the Nazi salute and to avoid condemnation. In any case, the Roman salute is also considered a hate symbol.