So pretty much every official imperial uses this as a greeting or salute, but does anyone know how it goes? I imagine it as some form of bird shaped hand gesture across the chest or shoulder but everything i try looks more like a gang sign than official salute.

This, if I am correct.

Internus said:

I think you are correct. At least that's how I do it although usually pressed against the chest.

Yup, that's it. Or at least, that's how it's always been described. There's a 1-handed variant described as "thumbing the palm" to (in theory) look like an eagle's wing, but that one always struck me as silly.

The pre-Unification salute was much more sensible- close one hand into a fist and thump your chest with it once, palm facing down.

Does anyone know what the Sign of the Cog looks like?

One of the books I read quite a while back had the sign of the cog similar to the aquila.

If I remember correctly the difference is that the thumbs aren't intertwined and the fingers are splayed instead of together. It sort of harder to do without your arms blocking your fingers, but it does look like a cogwheel.

I believe the sign of the cog is what the Genetor in Into the Storm does with his hands - you spread and bend your fingers, then join your hands so they look like interlocking cogs.

It's a greeting or a salute? I took it to be like the Sign of the Cross: a faith ritual to seek the Emperor's blessing or protection. People are often described as doing it when something bad or scary happens, and when Chaosy stuff goes down (or even at the very mention of it).

Of course, there's nothing to say it couldn't be both.

Morangias, I believe that is correct. Though I think I've read somewhere that you also move your hands to make the "cogs" spin a little.

The Aquila (as mentioned above) is illustrated in Dark Heresy: Blood of Martyrs on page 54 under Monastic Upbringing -> Sign of the Aquila. In the picture the gentleman feels compelled to make the sign when passing shrines and what not.

Also, thanks for the Cog reference it was something I was curious about when I started playing and basically what I was told, but the picture is a nice example.

Does it bother anyone else how dumb and awkward both the aquilla and the cog look? Imagine people actually saluting an officer with either of those gestures.

If you don't think it does go to a mirror right now make the aquilla and tell me you don't look dumb! (like more so than if you'd done the vulcan salute or pretended to be earth bending)

And the aquilla also doubles as like a religous gesture as well, imperials do it the same way christians will draw a cross in the air to bless or protect themselves.

Like why does it have to be some lame? 40k deserves better.

ieatdeadpeople2 said:

Your post is filled with useful information, if it was about complaining and no alternatives. Gestures have the meaning that a society gives them, if this is the sign of the Aqulia - saluting your hand to your head is equally ridiculous, or bowing, shaking hands, etc.

As you are so full of criticism, you have probably spent a great deal of time -developing something we all think would be cooler?

Plushy said:

I've wondered about this one, especially when you consider that many, MANY servents of the Omnissiah will not have two human-like hands. It seems odd to me that the Mechanicus would develop a hand gesture that many of their members, especially high-ranking ones, might have trouble pulling off. I think that a holy binary transmission would make more sense for them.

ieatdeadpeople2 said:

It only seems silly because we're not used to those kind of gestures. Giving a salute, bowing etc probably looks weird to someone not used to it. Same with kneeling. Imagine meeting your boss/teacher and kneeling in his/her presence!

It seems okay to me, easy to do and looks pretty much like the aquila.

Alasseo said:

It's not silly if, as is often the case in the 40k universe, you don't want to take your other hand off your weapon ;-)