Why do we 'cross our fingers' for good luck?

Crossing fingers comes from the pre-christian practice of Europe. Originally it was performed with two people crossing their index fingers in such a way that their fingers formed a solar cross. The solar cross was considered a symbol of perfect unity and at the point of intersection it was considered that there were beneficial spirits residing there. If a wish were made on the intersecting point of the solar cross then it (the wish) was anchored there until such time as the wish came true. Gradually the custom evolved until only one person was required to cross their index and middle fingers

An old superstition says that if you cross your fingers (usually two fingers of the same hand) it will bring good luck. Example: "I don't know what I will get for my birthday, but I am crossing my fingers that it will be a bicycle."

You cross your fingers when you try to make something happen by wishing that it will happen. A common saying: "Let's cross our fingers and hope for the best." Example: "Good luck on your test tomorrow. We'll be crossing our fingers for you!"

http://www.goenglish.com/1906.asp

We cross our fingers for luck because the space between the two entwined fingers is the perfect place to hold a wish.

If you secretly put your toe-nail clippings in a glass of lemonade and make someone drink it, then that person is supposed to fall in love with you. I got this superstition from a book called "Cross Your Fingers, Spit In Your Hat."

http://www.islandnet.com/~luree/silly.html

Cross your fingers to make wish. Bad luck is trapped at the point where the two fingers meet so when we cross our fingers, we stop the bad luck from escaping and allow our wishes to come true.

http://www.oldsuperstitions.com/general.html

http://ask.yahoo.com/ask/20021017.html

http://abc.net.au/tv/canwehelp/txt/s1717665.htm

http://www.dreamstime.com/crossedfingersgoodluck.-image246639

1) "To cross one's fingers is a hand gesture used to superstitiously wish for good luck or to nullify a promise. The supposed loophole of crossing one's fingers whilst making a promise is usually exploited by school-aged children.
Crossing one's fingers, by curling the middle finger over the index, is thought to bring good luck. This dates back to when crossed fingers were used as a gesture to ward off witches and others considered to be or possess evil spirits. It is also seen as bad luck to cross your fingers on both hands.
Some believe that the gesture originates from pre-Christian times and, in many early European cultures, two people were required to use their index fingers to form the sign, one to make a wish and the other to support it. It was believed that the cross was a symbol of unity and that benign spirits dwelt at its intersecting point—to wish on a cross was a figurative way of securing the wish at the intersection until it came true. Over the years, the custom was modified so one person could make a wish on his/her own.
The 'crossed fingers' gesture is used for the logo of the United Kingdom's National Lottery, as well as the Oregon Lottery and Virginia Lottery in the United States.
Crossed fingers behind the back can also be used when making a promise or a claim to indicate that you are lying. This has been used in television and movies to clue in the viewers while keeping other characters in the dark."
Source and further information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossed_fingers


2) "We have no reliable evidence to support this, but one theory goes that during the various times when Christianity was illegal, the crossing of fingers was a secret sign for Christians to recognise each other. Yet whilst the Sign of the Cross has evolved into a good luck symbol and retained its Christian meaning, Fingers Crossed has lost any Christian connection.

This change of emphasis may have begun during the so-called 'Hundred Years War' between France and England (1337-1457). An archer would cross his first and second fingers, pray or wish for luck, and then draw back his longbow string with those same fingers.

Another theory suggests that the sign pre-dates Christianity, when it was believed that benign spirits dwelt at the intersecting point of the cross, as in the Solar Cross. In Europe, the sign was made by two people; the first to make the wish and the second to support it. Linking their fingers firmly would squeeze and energize the spirits into beneficial action."
Source and further information:
http://www.seiyaku.com/customs/fingers-crossed.html


3) Further information:
- "Why Do Some People Cross Their Fingers To Make a Wish Come True?":
http://www.bigsiteofamazingfacts.com/why-do-some-people-cross-their-fingers-to-make-a-wish-come-true
- "Why do people cross their fingers for good luck":
http://www.chacha.com/question/why-do-people-cross-their-fingers-for-good-luck
- "Why do people cross their fingers for luck?":
http://ask.yahoo.com/20021017.html
- "Why do we cross our fingers for good luck?":
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090620211927AAqLmEA
- "Why do we 'cross our fingers' for good luck?":
http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/393546

your making the sign of the cross, which people did, in early Christian times

There are a number of curious gestures and sayings in our modern society that leave us scratching our heads. Apparently, we have superstitious folk in merry old England to thank for the peculiar practice of crossing our fingers for luck.
Witches, ghosts, and other supernatural ghouls were very real to people living in the 16th century. Illnesses and bad luck were blamed on these evil forces. Faith in the power of the Christian cross, therefore, was strong. A cough, a sneeze, or even a mention of a cold (thought to be a sign of the plague) was reason enough to cross yourself. The proper way to make the sign of the cross involves four steps -- touch the forehead, heart, left shoulder, then right shoulder with you right hand.

When a suspected witch crossed your path, you could make a cross shortcut by crossing your index and second finger or the index fingers of both hands. This would provide protection and ward off the evil influence. Just like in Dracula movies, it was believed the power of the cross or any religious talisman would combat the forces of darkness. People also wore crosses or carried their Bibles in case they happened upon a nefarious being. A clove of garlic worn around the neck was ammunition against werewolves and bad spirits, and both peasants and nobles attached bells known as "bezants" to their garments, hoping the sound would scare away evil spirits.

Though many of these beliefs have slowly died, the gestures they inspired have lived on. Let's face it, in today's scary world, we need all the luck we can get. If crossing your fingers, carrying a rabbit's foot, hanging a horseshoe, or rubbing a lucky penny helps you through the day, more power to you!

Its a mere superstition

It used to be believed that luck escaped from between the pointer and middle finger, crossing them held the luck in.