Three Finger Salute

The District 12 respect sign is used by its residents when they have lost someone or just to show that the person is loved and respected by them. The sign is made when you press the three middle fingers of your hand to your lips and then hold them out to the person, or people, that you want to show respect to. In the book, the left hand is used (in the film it is the right hand).

The Reaping
Katniss Everdeen became District 12's tribute at the reaping by volunteering to go into the arena to save her younger sister Prim. As Katniss was walking up to get on the stage, Prim grabbed onto her and needed to be pulled off by Gale. When Katniss was standing on the stage, the rest of District 12 were asked to applaud, but instead they used the respect sign to say goodbye to her.

Rue's death
When Rue had been killed by a spear in the stomach by the boy from District 1, Marvel, Katniss had shot him in the neck with one of her arrows. To show The Capitol that she was "not just a part in their games", Katniss decorated Rue's body with flowers which the cameras would have to show when the body was collected. Just before the hovercraft came, she used the respect sign for Rue.

In the film, after Rue's death Katniss showed the respect sign to the cameras. At the same time the people of District 11 did the same, which sparked a riot.

The Victory Tour
In District 11, in the Victory Tour, once Peeta and Katniss had said their speeches, which included the personal speech and the speech said in every district, the crowd used the District 12 respect sign for Katniss, which was the last goodbye that she gave to Rue in the arena.