 |
| A wax statue of Angela Merkel at Madame Tussauds museum (Berlin) |
When the wax statue of former chancellor or chief of the state of Germany Angela Merkel was created, the artists smartly chose to create it with her world-famous steeple pose. This particular position of her hands, posture or pose has immortalized her as much as she has immortalized it. Perhaps, it's one of the few greatest examples in 'the history of body language'.
If you really assume that you already know everything about Angela Merkel's steeple then I sincerely think that you're still missing a lot. That's why this article is going to reveal what you, most people and even most body language experts don't know yet about it. I've done my own research about the same, over many days.
Angela Merkel's steeple pose is called as 'Triangle of Power', 'Merkel Diamond' or 'Merkel-Raute' in English and 'Merkel Rhombus' in Deutsch or German language. Although it's probably the most recognized pose across the globe, few in Germany have mocked, cultified, ridiculed or demonized it as well.
While standing along with other people, how and where to keep the hands is a basic question for most people. When it comes to posing for a group photo, most leaders, statesmen, stateswomen and politicians pose identically. Standing by keeping both hands held parallel to the torso is their default body posture. A steeple pose breaks this universal postural norm.
When adapted subconsciously, the steeple pose may convey different nonverbal or unspoken messages. However, it's broadly signified as authority, confidence or expertise. Is this the exact reason Angela Merkel consciously chose this pose over all others? Yes! You're reading it correctly - 'consciously'.
You can find her in the exact same pose in almost every photograph but her diamond steeple pose first appeared in 2002. She said, "There was always the question, what to do with your arms, and that's how it came about." Actually, the symmetry in steeple pose motivated her to choose it. Why not!
Many leaders or politicians have mimicked it, even in her presence. One of them is former USA president Donald Trump. Quite interestingly, a few leaders steepled in presence of Angela Merkel while she wasn't steepling at the same time. So was it a tactical move?
Sometimes, consistently standing with steeple caused a visual discord too. While posing for a group photo, all leaders were waving their hands. However, Angela Merkel didn't wave her hand and habitually stood in steeple pose. Wasn't it totally wrong?
No matter how her pose was read or interpreted by body language experts, communication experts, political analysts or even ordinary people, most of us simply can't miss to share the below image, especially while advocating the use of steeple pose.
Her own political party CDU (Christian Democratic Union) used it for the German election campaign of 2013 as a symbol of her leadership. A huge billboard was created by using a mosaic of 2,150 images to depict the Merkel-Raute.
Angela Merkel has served as the Chancellor of Germany for 16 years (from 2005 to 2021). She was regarded as the most powerful woman in the world. One of the greatest legacies she has left behind is her steeple pose.
By the way, is steeple pose being misinterpreted too, only as an indication of authority, confidence or expertise? Yes! Absolutely. Is there any good example of it? Yes! Absolutely. There's one best example of it, to share with you.
You'll definitely read it in my first ever book on body language. I've shared the details of my observations and analysis of an old Indian lady's steepled fingers. You'll be surprised by the revelation.
[#Special Note: The diamond steeple pose matches with Hākini Mudrā (हाकिनी मुद्रा) or Hākini gesture that is used in (Indian) Yoga tradition. To clear the confusion between both, I'm going to write a separate article in next month.]
If you really assume that you already know everything about Angela Merkel's steeple then I sincerely think that you're still missing a lot. That's why this article is going to reveal what you, most people and even most body language experts don't know yet about it. I've done my own research about the same, over many days.
Angela Merkel's steeple pose is called as 'Triangle of Power', 'Merkel Diamond' or 'Merkel-Raute' in English and 'Merkel Rhombus' in Deutsch or German language. Although it's probably the most recognized pose across the globe, few in Germany have mocked, cultified, ridiculed or demonized it as well.
 |
| Donald Trump steepling in presence of Angela Merkel |
While standing along with other people, how and where to keep the hands is a basic question for most people. When it comes to posing for a group photo, most leaders, statesmen, stateswomen and politicians pose identically. Standing by keeping both hands held parallel to the torso is their default body posture. A steeple pose breaks this universal postural norm.
When adapted subconsciously, the steeple pose may convey different nonverbal or unspoken messages. However, it's broadly signified as authority, confidence or expertise. Is this the exact reason Angela Merkel consciously chose this pose over all others? Yes! You're reading it correctly - 'consciously'.
 |
| Stealing Merkel Diamond in broad daylight |
You can find her in the exact same pose in almost every photograph but her diamond steeple pose first appeared in 2002. She said, "There was always the question, what to do with your arms, and that's how it came about." Actually, the symmetry in steeple pose motivated her to choose it. Why not!
Many leaders or politicians have mimicked it, even in her presence. One of them is former USA president Donald Trump. Quite interestingly, a few leaders steepled in presence of Angela Merkel while she wasn't steepling at the same time. So was it a tactical move?
 |
| Merkel Diamond creating a visual discord |
Sometimes, consistently standing with steeple caused a visual discord too. While posing for a group photo, all leaders were waving their hands. However, Angela Merkel didn't wave her hand and habitually stood in steeple pose. Wasn't it totally wrong?
No matter how her pose was read or interpreted by body language experts, communication experts, political analysts or even ordinary people, most of us simply can't miss to share the below image, especially while advocating the use of steeple pose.
 |
| Why don't you look at them twice? |
Her own political party CDU (Christian Democratic Union) used it for the German election campaign of 2013 as a symbol of her leadership. A huge billboard was created by using a mosaic of 2,150 images to depict the Merkel-Raute.
Angela Merkel has served as the Chancellor of Germany for 16 years (from 2005 to 2021). She was regarded as the most powerful woman in the world. One of the greatest legacies she has left behind is her steeple pose.
 |
| Former UK Prime minister Gordon Brown steepling while Angela Merkel walks ahead with other leaders |
By the way, is steeple pose being misinterpreted too, only as an indication of authority, confidence or expertise? Yes! Absolutely. Is there any good example of it? Yes! Absolutely. There's one best example of it, to share with you.
You'll definitely read it in my first ever book on body language. I've shared the details of my observations and analysis of an old Indian lady's steepled fingers. You'll be surprised by the revelation.
[#Special Note: The diamond steeple pose matches with Hākini Mudrā (हाकिनी मुद्रा) or Hākini gesture that is used in (Indian) Yoga tradition. To clear the confusion between both, I'm going to write a separate article in next month.]
Comments
Post a Comment
Please leave your comment.