The move, which involves crossing your right arm over your left, was created by both Boseman, who played T’Challa in the Marvel film, and “Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler in rehearsal, producer Nate Moore told HuffPost in 2018.
Advertisement
“There weren’t a ton of variations. It sort of just seems to make intuitive sense,” Moore said.
Coogler reportedly explained the origins of the symbol on the director’s commentary for the “Black Panther” Blu-ray, saying it took inspiration from Egypt, West African sculptures and American Sign Language.
“We kinda got it from the pharaohs and the West African sculptures that you’ll see, with the arms folded over like that. It also means a ‘hug’ or ‘love’ in ASL, American Sign Language,” Coogler said, according to Inverse.
Advertisement
Likewise, Boseman recalled the symbol’s ancient beginnings on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” explaining Coogler had come up to him saying they needed a way for the Dora Milaje, the “Black Panther” all-female bodyguards, to salute him.
“We had been talking about these sort of poses that have ancient meanings, and so this was sort of like an Egyptian pharaoh,” said Boseman, adding that it can have different uses, like a fighting stance.
Not everyone was on board from the start, however.
“I think the first time they did it was in tribal council, and part of me was like, ‘Is that going to look cool?’” Moore told HuffPost in the 2018 interview. ”‘Is that going to be cool or are people going to reject it?’”
But the producer explained the more the symbol was used, “the more it sort of almost felt like it had always been,” and was “so natural and so a part of the fabric of the movie.”
Advertisement
Moore said, “Chadwick ― I think, because he developed it with Ryan ― owns it. Everything Chadwick does just feels real, so by the end of [the film shoot], extras were doing it, crew members were doing it to each other. Everyone was doing and that’s when you know, OK, this is something that’s going to resonate.”
Because of Chadwick Boseman, Wakanda is forever.
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.