Members of the Hitler Youth in Berlin performing the Nazi salute at a rally in 1933 The Nazi salute, also known as the Hitler salute,[a] or the Sieg Heil salute, is a gesture that was used as a greeting in Nazi Germany. The salute is performed by extending the right arm from the shoulder into the air with a straightened hand. Usually, the person offering the salute would say "Heil Hitler!" ('Hail