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“The Leg-Gun Pose” meme: meaning, origin and common card

The Leg-Gun Pose refers to a June 2014 photo by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei aiming his raised leg like a rifle.

MyMemeCards editorial teamPublished 8 min read
The Leg-Gun Pose meme
The “The Leg-Gun Pose” meme, 2014

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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “The Leg-Gun Pose” is a common card of the Memes World series 74, number 21953 of the collection, and the 227th best-known meme of its 300 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.

What does the “The Leg-Gun Pose” meme mean?

This meme expresses ironic criticism of authority and excessive force. By turning the body into an harmless weapon, it highlights the absurdity of coercion while remaining accessible. It allows users to comment on oppressive situations indirectly through humor and collective participation.

Where does the “The Leg-Gun Pose” meme come from?

The image comes from an Instagram post by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei dated June 11, 2014. Sitting in shorts and a straw hat, he raises one leg held with both hands to mimic a rifle. The original caption mentioned an anti-terrorism campaign in Beijing. The gesture aimed to denounce the use of force in that context. Some see references to the ballet *The Red Detachment of Women* or Tiananmen, but these interpretations remain ambiguous. Spread via Instagram, WeChat, and other social networks, it became a global participatory phenomenon.

  1. June 11, 2014Ai Weiwei publishes the original photograph on Instagram.

How to use the “The Leg-Gun Pose” meme

  • Share a photo of your own extended leg to mock bureaucratic overreach in a lighthearted way.

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The “The Leg-Gun Pose” card in MyMemeCards

The Leg-Gun Pose card
NumberNo. 21953
RarityCommon
CollectionMemes World series 74
Fame58/100 · #227 of 300
Recycle value5 MemeCoins (15 in Shiny)
Rarities of the Memes World series 74: 300 cards
  • Common25083%
  • Rare299.7%
  • Epic217.0%

How to get the “The Leg-Gun Pose” card

Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; The Leg-Gun Pose comes out of the Memes World series 74 as a common card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.

Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 5 MemeCoins.

Open your free pack

5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.

Free · no account needed

Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details

Memes like “The Leg-Gun Pose”

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Frequently asked questions

What does the leg gun pose mean?

It is a visual satire criticizing the use of force by authorities. The artist turns the weapon around to show its absurdity or powerlessness against the citizen.

Who took the leg gun photo?

It is Ai Weiwei, a Chinese artist known for his political engagement. He created this setup to challenge the public regarding repression.

Why did Ai Weiwei raise his leg?

The gesture denounces excessive power during anti-terrorism struggles. It is a form of passive resistance replacing real violence with bodily performance.

How do I get the The Leg-Gun Pose meme card?

Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “The Leg-Gun Pose” is a common card of the Memes World series 74. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.

How rare is the The Leg-Gun Pose card?

It is a Common card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.

Sources: The Leg-Gun Pose · Virality and the New Ostensive: Ai Weiwei's Leg-Gun Meme · #BBCtrending: Ai Weiwei sparks 'leg gun' photo craze · checked on October 16, 2026.

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