Star Trek may be symbolized by the Starfleet icon that is often seen on the crew members’ uniforms, but it is best represented by one sign that was reportedly created on a whim. Neither Gene Roddenberry nor any of the writers is credited with the Vulcan hand salute, the popular greeting that is one of the most recognized pop culture symbols.
The Vulcan hand salute was reportedly envisioned by actor Leonard Nimoy, who played Spock in the original series. The actor used the symbol for the first time in the second season, and it has since become part of sci-fi history and has even made its way into ASL. Nimoy reportedly based it on something he saw as a kid at Jewish synagogues.
Leonard Nimoy was inspired by a Jewish ceremony for the Vulcan hand salute in Star Trek
Though other actors have played Spock, Leonard Nimoy’s portrayal of the half-Vulcan first officer is still considered the definitive version of the character for the past fifty-odd years. Nimoy’s nuanced portrayal of the character, though lasting only three seasons and six films, has become a legend in pop culture.
Spock’s fame transcended that of the show’s protagonist, William Shatner’s Captain Kirk, to the point where the latter was reportedly jealous of the stardom Nimoy enjoyed. While Spock’s iconography is far more recognizable, it was Nimoy’s own creative genius that made a character, who could easily be waved off as expressionless, so moving.
Nimoy reportedly even brought in his own ideas to the table, including introducing the world to one of the most recognizable symbols in pop culture. He is credited with coming up with the Vulcan hand salute in the season 2 episode, ‘Amok Time’. The actor was reportedly inspired by something he saw at a Jewish ceremony in Boston when he was a kid.
The actor was reportedly attending a benediction ceremony and was mesmerized by the chants of those present. Though he was instructed not to see, he reportedly peeked due to curiosity, and the rest is history. Nimoy described the symbol and its meaning (via Yiddish Book Center),
This is the shape of the letter Shin [in the] Hebrew alphabet. Shin is a very interesting letter in the language. It’s the first letter in the word Shalom. The first letter in the word Shekhina, which is the name of the feminine aspect of God, who supposedly was created to live amongst humans.
Nimoy mentioned that he was later told why he was not allowed to look, which would have robbed the world of one of the greatest symbols known to mankind.
Leonard Nimoy turned his childhood curiosity into Star Trek’s symbol after 25 years
The ‘Live Long and Prosper’ sign is synonymous with the Star Trek franchise and has even been the sign for the show in ASL. The extended finger salute is iconic and, funnily enough, was not the brainchild of series creator Gene Roddenberry or any writer of the series. Leonard Nimoy reportedly came up with it on the sets of an episode.
25 years after he saw the symbol being used in a Jewish benediction, Nimoy was reminded of it when he had to come up with a greeting before meeting another Vulcan, T’Pau, in Star Trek: TOS’ season 2 episode, ‘Amok Time’. He said to Star Trek.com,
The idea came when I saw the way Joe was staging the scene. He had me approach T’Pau, and I felt a greeting gesture was called for. So I suggested it to Joe, who accepted it immediately. Gene was not involved…It was probably 25 years later that I introduced that gesture as a Vulcan greeting in Star Trek and it has resonated with fans around the world ever since.
The Vulcan hand salute, as it is called now, is something that has been representing Star Trek for a long time and will forever be associated with the franchise.
Star Trek is available to stream on Paramount+.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire