Why Do Metal Fans Make the Devil Hand Sign? Meaning & History

Whether you call it the devil horns, devil hand sign, rock on sign, or sign of the horns, this hand gesture 🤘 has become synonymous with the heavy metal and hard rock scene. But where did it come from, and what exactly does it mean? We’re here to answer your questions! In this article, we’ll explore the meaning of the sign of the horns, how it became associated with heavy metal, and how it’s used in other religions as well as sports. Keep reading to find out more!

Where did the rock on sign come from?

The rock on sign (also called the devil hand or devil horns sign) was popularized by Black Sabbath member Ronnie James Dio. The sign itself originates from the sign of the horns, an Italian gesture to ward off the evil eye. Dio saw his grandmother making the sign and decided to use it at concerts.

Section 1 of 9:

Devil Horns Hand Sign vs Rock Sign

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These signs are the same gesture, but have different meanings. Both the devil horns hand sign (commonly called “sign of the horns” or “hand-horns”) and the rock sign (commonly called “rock on” or “rock and roll”) are made by extending the index and pinky fingers and holding down the 2 middle fingers with the thumb. While they’re the same gesture, the devil horns sign came about first: it’s an ancient sign to ward off evil. The rock sign appropriated the devil horns sign and turned it into a symbol of heavy metal and rock music.^{[1]
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- Both of these signs come from the sign of the horns gesture, which we talk about in the section below.
- This gesture isn’t just popular in heavy metal and rock circles: it’s also a common hand sign in other religions and used by many different sports fans. We’ll talk about all its other meanings in the sections below, too!

Section 2 of 9:

What is the devil horns hand sign?

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The devil horns hand sign is an Italian gesture to ward off the evil eye. According to Italian superstitious beliefs, making the devil horns hand sign (also called the sign of the horns) is a way to repel the evil eye, which is a malevolent gaze that’s thought to bring you misfortune. If someone fears they’re being targeted by the evil eye, they’ll point their fingers downward or horizontally to drive off any bad intentions.^{[2]
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- In Italian, the devil horns hand sign is called le corna (“horns” in Italian) or mano cornuta (“horned hand”).
- The devil horns hand sign is an apotropaic gesture, or a superstitious gesture that’s meant to prevent or protect against evil forces. It’s similar to knocking on wood to prevent bad luck.^{[3]
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- Your hand position matters. If you point your fingers up, it’s thought that this inflicts the evil eye, especially when you point at someone. In some beliefs, it’s also a way to call out infidelity.
- What about backwards vs forwards? Some say making the devil horns backwards (palm facing out) is a way to inflict the evil eye, while making it forward (palm facing you) wards it off.
- Other countries, like Greece, Portugal, and Spain, use the devil horns hand sign to ward off the evil eye, too.

Section 3 of 9:

Meaning of the Devil Horns in Heavy Metal

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The rock hand sign means “Rock on” or “Good times.” If you’ve ever attended a metal or rock concert, you’ve probably seen the crowd throw up the devil horns hand sign as they headbang to the music. This is a common way for fans to express their affiliation with the culture and enjoyment of the music—it’s like saying, “I am metal and I belong,” or more simply, “Rock on!”^{[4]
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- The rock sign can also be used as a greeting between heavy metal or rock fans. Many musicians throw up the sign as they walk onto the stage to welcome their fans to the concert.
- This gesture is also a way to express enjoyment or respect. Concert-goers will hold up the sign to indicate they approve of the music and band.
- The rock sign is also a popular emoji. People use the 🤘 (sign of the horns) emoji to signal they’re a heavy metal fan or to say, “Rock on!”

Section 4 of 9:

Origins of the Devil Horns in Heavy Metal

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The rock sign was popularized by Ronnie James Dio. In 1979, Ronnie James Dio became the lead singer of Black Sabbath, taking over when Ozzy Osbourne left the group. Osbourne was famous for flashing the peace sign (✌️), so Dio wanted his own gesture to help connect with the fans. He remembered his Italian grandmother making the devil horns hand sign to ward off evil, so he started to make the sign during concerts. The gesture caught on and the rest, as they say, is history!^{[5]
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- In interviews, Dio asserted that he was not the first metal or rock singer to use this gesture. In fact, there are images of John Lennon (The Beatles) and Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath) making the sign prior to 1979.^{[6]
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- Dio also claimed in interviews that the rock sign is not a sign of the devil. He recognized it as an appropriation of the Italian gesture to ward off evil that has become a symbol of rock and roll.^{[7]
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Section 5 of 9:

Does the Devil Horns Sign mean the devil?

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The devil horns sign is not related to the devil, though some believe it is. The devil horns hand sign is primarily used as an apotropaic gesture to ward off evil or to celebrate heavy metal or rock music. However, due to its association with heavy metal and some satanic religions, some people see the gesture as a sign of the devil.^{[8]
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- It’s important to remember that the devil horns hand sign gesture has different meanings across many different cultures. While people may view this gesture as a sign of the devil, it is not inherently demonic or satanic.
- Some Christians may see the sign of the horns as an occult symbol. Because it's associated with superstitious beliefs (warding off evil), they might choose not to make this sign.
- Note: It’s unclear why this gesture is called the devil horns. The original Italian name for this gesture, le corna, most likely refers to bull horns, which are commonly associated with strength and protection.^{[9]
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Section 6 of 9:

Other Spiritual Meanings of Devil Horns

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Buddhism The Buddhist gesture, karana mudrā, is similar to the Italian devil horns hand sign. It’s made by holding up the hand, extending the index and pinky fingers, folding down the 2 middle fingers, and resting the thumb on the middle finger. It’s believed to expel negativity, like evil spirits, demons, and bad energy.^{[10]
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- The karana mudrā is commonly called “the gesture to ward off evil.”
- Many statues of Buddha depict him making the karana mudrā.
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Hatha Yoga The hatha yoga gesture, apāna mudrā, also looks similar to the Italian devil horns hand sign. This hand sign is believed to help calm your heart, promote better circulation, remove toxins from the body, and ground and relax you.^{[11]
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- The apāna mudrā is made by extending the index and pinky fingers and holding down the middle fingers with the thumb. In some versions, the index finger is held under the thumb.
Wiccans may make the devil horns hand sign to represent the Horned God, who symbolizes the divine masculine. They might make the gesture when performing rituals or casting magick spells.^{[12]
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Some Satanists, or people who worship the Devil, may make the devil horns hand sign gesture as a way to greet one another. To them, the gesture might represent the horns of the Devil.

Section 7 of 9:

Meaning of the Devil Horns Hand Sign in Sports

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The devil horns hand sign represents many sports teams across the US. Lots of sports teams have bulls and other horned animals as their mascot, making the devil horns hand sign a popular way to show support for someone’s favorite team. For instance, the horns gesture is used by:
- The University of Texas at Austin to represent the Texas Longhorns—the gesture is called the “Hook ‘em horns.”^{[13]
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- The University of South Florida to represent the Bulls.
- North Dakota State University to represent the Bison.
- The University of California, Irvine to represent the Anteaters.

Section 8 of 9:

What’s the difference between the “I love you” and “Horns” Hand Signs?

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The “I love you” sign (🤟) is made by extending the thumb, too. The devil horns hand sign (🤘) and the “I love you” sign (🤟) look very similar, so it’s normal to mix these two gestures up. The “I love you” sign is made by extending the index finger, pinky finger, and thumb while holding in the 2 middle fingers.^{[14]
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- The “I love you” sign is how you say “I love you” in American Sign Language.

Section 9 of 9:

Final Thoughts

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The rock sign comes from the ancient devil horns hand sign. The devil horns and rock sign are the same gesture, though they mean different things to different cultures and people. The devil horns sign (aka sign of the horns) is an Italian gesture used to ward off the evil eye. Ronnie James Dio, lead singer of Black Sabbath, started using this sign at concerts, causing the gesture to become associated with heavy metal and rock.
- Despite the name, the devil horns hand sign is not associated with the devil or considered satanic. At its core, it's an apotropaic gesture that’s meant to protect against evil.
- Similar hand gestures are used in spiritual practices, like Buddhism and Wicca, and to represent college sports teams, like UT Austin’s Hook ‘em horns.