The Origin of the Vulcan Greeting

The Vulcan salute, the split-fingered hand gesture that accompanies the phrase “Live long and prosper”, is one of the most recognizable symbols of Star Trek and its fandom. But did you know that it was created by Leonard Nimoy, the actor who played Spock, based on his Jewish heritage?

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In this article, we’ll explore the origins and meanings of the Vulcan salute, and how it became a cultural phenomenon that transcends the boundaries of science fiction.

The Vulcan salute was first seen in the Star Trek episode “Amok Time”, which aired in 1967. In this episode, Spock returns to his home planet of Vulcan to undergo a ritual called pon farr, which is a mating cycle that occurs every seven years. During the ceremony, Spock greets his bride-to-be, T’Pring, with the Vulcan salute, and says “Live long and prosper” in Vulcan.

Nimoy later revealed that he came up with the idea for the gesture on the spot, inspired by a memory from his childhood. He recalled attending an Orthodox Jewish service with his grandfather, where he saw the Kohanim, or priests, perform a blessing with their hands in a similar shape. The blessing is called Birkat Kohanim, or Priestly Blessing, and it is derived from a biblical verse that says, “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)

The hand gesture that accompanies the blessing is called Kohanic Hand Gesture, or Priestly Hand Gesture, and it is formed by separating the fingers into two pairs, with the thumb extended. The gesture represents the Hebrew letter Shin, which stands for Shaddai, one of the names of God. The gesture is also said to symbolize the divine presence and protection.

Nimoy was fascinated by the gesture and its meaning, and he decided to use it as a way to express the Vulcan philosophy of logic and peace. He also invented the phrase “Live long and prosper” as a translation of the Vulcan greeting. He later learned that there was already a traditional Jewish greeting that had a similar meaning: “Shalom aleichem”, which means “Peace be upon you”.

The Vulcan salute quickly became a popular symbol of Star Trek and its message of hope and diversity. Fans adopted it as a way to identify themselves and to wish each other well. Nimoy himself used it frequently in public appearances and interviews, and even wrote an autobiography titled “I Am Not Spock” with the Vulcan salute on the cover.

The gesture also inspired other celebrities and public figures to use it as a sign of respect and admiration. For example, former US President Barack Obama exchanged the Vulcan salute with Nichelle Nichols, who played Uhura on Star Trek, during a visit to the White House in 2012. In 2015, after Nimoy’s death, NASA astronaut Terry Virts tweeted a photo of himself making the Vulcan salute from the International Space Station, with the Earth in the background.

The Vulcan salute is more than just a sci-fi gimmick. It is a tribute to Leonard Nimoy’s Jewish roots and his creative genius. It is also a universal expression of goodwill and harmony that transcends language and culture. As Spock would say, “Live long and prosper”.

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