The Nazi salute, also known as the Hitler salute or Sieg Heil salute, is a gesture used as a greeting in Nazi Germany. It involves extending the right arm straight out from the shoulder with the palm facing down. Typically, the salute is accompanied by phrases like "Heil Hitler!" (Hail Hitler!), "Heil, mein Führer!" (Hail, my leader!), or "Sieg Heil!" (Hail victory!). The salute was a symbol of obedience to Adolf Hitler and glorification of the German nation and Nazi cause. It originated from the Fascist salute used by the Italian National Fascist Party and was officially adopted by the Nazi Party in 1926. The Nazi salute was compulsory for civilians and used widely in Nazi Germany for greetings, mass rallies, and showing loyalty to the Führer. Today, it is banned in several countries, including Germany, Austria, and Slovakia, due to its association with hate, Nazi ideology, and crimes against humanity. Its use is considered hate speech or a criminal offense in many places if used to promote Nazi ideology.