an arm posture where the forearm is raised while the upper arm lowered

Definitions

• forearm – distal, between the wrist and elbow
• upper arm – brachial, between the elbow and shoulder

Expressions

Both guarded and yielding versions of this posture exist.

• The guarded version covers the chest and readies the arms for pushing, pulling, attack, or defense. Hands are brought above the waist to lessen travel distance to a potential target. Examples include crossed arms and some renditions of the police interview stance.
• covering chest, wrist facing in
• The yielding version exposes the chest while withdrawing the arms to stay unintrusive. Popularized in anime, expressions range widely and can include allure, apprehension, disgust, fear, flirtation, or submissiveness.
• baring chest, wrist facing out

Trivia

• The act of waving can be described as a socially disarming greeting version of the raised forearm posture.

See also

• wave
• cat pose