Schwurhand

Heraldic motif of an oath-taking hand gesture

The Schwurhand is a traditional hand gesture and heraldic charge that is used in Germanic Europe and neighbouring countries, when swearing an oath in court, in office, or while swearing-in. The right hand is raised, with the index finger and middle finger extended upwards; the last two digits are curled downwards against the palm. The thumb is shown slightly curled or raised.