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Merkel-Raute

Former Chancellor Angela Merkel showing her trademark gesture at official portrait photograph, 2010
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan using "triangle of power" during the press conference, 2012

The Merkel-Raute[1] (German for "Merkel rhombus"), termed the Merkel diamond[2] or Triangle of Power by English-speaking media,[3] is a hand gesture made by resting one's hands in front of the stomach so that the fingertips meet, with the thumbs and index fingers forming a rough quadrangular shape. This signature gesture of Angela Merkel, former Chancellor of Germany, has been described as "probably one of the most recognisable hand gestures in the world".[2]

Asked about how the Merkel-Raute was introduced as her trademark, Merkel stated that "there was always the question, what to do with your arms, and that's how it came about."[2] She chose the gesture without having been assisted by a counsellor because "it contains a certain symmetry".[2][4]

  1. ^ "Wahlkampf mit der "Merkel-Raute"". Deutsche Welle (in German). 5 September 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d "'Merkel diamond' takes centre stage in German election campaign". The Guardian. 3 September 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  3. ^ "One huge election poster and one pricey footballer". The Local. 6 September 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  4. ^ "Merkel mag die tiefe Stimme von Männern und beneidet sie ums Holzhacken". Focus Online (in German). 2 May 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2013.

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