It is if you know what to look for, but to an outside observer the Catholic up-left-right-down vs the Orthodox up-right-left-down pattern or that the Orthodox has his hand in a specific position likely goes unnoticed.
Discussion
Wow, I didn't know the Catholic and Orthodox differed in even *how* they do the sign of the cross!
Yeah, we hold the thumb, index, and middle fingers together recalling the Trinity. The ring and pinkie fingers touch the palm to recall the two natures of Christ.
Catholics, I believe, refer to the five wounds of Christ when they cross
I don’t recall if crossing was in reference to Christ’s wounds. I actually don’t recall any added symbolism other than it mirroring the cross. But, then, I didn’t pay a lot of attention in church, so it’s possible this is correct. We also weren’t taught to hold our hands in any specific way. Just that we touched our head, shoulders, and heart/midsection was sufficient.
I’m finding that everything in Orthodoxy has weight and reverence to it. Not to suggest Catholicism takes everything lightly, but the differences going a from Catholic mass service to an Orthodox Divine Liturgy were stark. The seriousness works for me and has really helped in bringing me closer to Christ.
Fair. I've always found the way Catholics have their hand open quite noticeable, more so than the direction, but you aren't wrong
As a recent Inquirer, I had no idea and suspect I’d not have realized if I’d attended Divine Liturgy without having done research beforehand. Now, though, I think it would stand out to me.