Hunger Games salute: The symbol of protest against Asia’s military regimes

As thousands of protesters in Myanmar continue to demonstrate against the military coup, one hand gesture has emerged as the movement's defining symbol - the three finger salute.

Popularised by the Hollywood film series and books The Hunger Games, the salute - which also has roots in the Scout movement - has been adopted widely in Thailand as well in activists' protests against their military government.

But what does the gesture really mean, and what does its journey from the big screen to real life tell us about the power of protest symbols?

Video by Tessa Wong. Additional footage by BBC Burmese, Danny Bull and Nik Millard.

7 March 2021