The Vulcan salute is a hand gesture popularized by the 1960s television series Star Trek. It consists of a raised hand with the palm forward and the thumb extended, while the fingers are parted between the middle and ring finger. The gesture was devised by Star Trek actor Leonard Nimoy as a salute for the alien Vulcan species, and is popular within the Science fiction fandom and nerd culture. The blessing phrase "live long and prosper" is frequently spoken alongside it.
Leonard Nimoy demonstrating the Vulcan salutation at the Las Vegas Star Trek Convention in 2011
The blessing gesture which is the inspiration for the Vulcan salutation
NASA astronaut Terry W. Virts performs the Vulcan salutation aboard the International Space Station on February 27, 2015, shortly after hearing of Nimoy's death. Nimoy's hometown of Boston is seen directly below.
On February 28, 2015, European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti tweeted this photo in a final salute to Leonard Nimoy. Her tee shirt is adorned with a Starfleet insignia.
Leonard Simon Nimoy was an American actor and director, famed for playing Spock in the Star Trek franchise for almost 50 years. This includes originating Spock in the original Star Trek series in 1966, then Star Trek: The Animated Series, the first six Star Trek films, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek, and Star Trek Into Darkness. Nimoy also directed films, including Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984), Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986), and Three Men and a Baby (1987), and appeared in several films, television shows, and voice acted in several video games. Outside of acting, Nimoy was a film director, photographer, author, singer, and songwriter.
Nimoy in 1973
With Richard Rober (top) and Kathleen Freeman (bottom)
Publicity photo of Nimoy as Spock, alongside William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk
Nimoy in a Mission: Impossible photoshoot in 1970
