Historians confirm the Nazi salute did not originate in Germany

Recent scholarship examines the origins of the Nazi salute. Researchers trace the gesture to earlier European customs. The salute was not a uniquely German invention. Historical evidence links it to Roman and Italian practices. Adolf Hitler adopted the gesture for political symbolism. The study challenges long‑standing assumptions about its provenance. Understanding its roots clarifies how symbols spread across regimes. The findings appear in a new article on the topic.