The Chinese have a good explanation for what the fingers represent.
The Thumb represents your Parents
The Second (Index) finger represents your Siblings
The Middle finger represents your Self
The Fourth (Ring) finger represents your Life Partner, and
The Last (Little) finger represents your Children
First, open your palms (face to face), bend the middle fingers down and hold them together - back to back.
Second, open and hold the remaining three fingers and the thumb - tip to tip.
Now, try to separate your thumbs (representing the parents). They will open, because your parents are not destined to live with you (or you with them) forever.
Join your thumbs as before and separate your Index fingers (representing siblings). They will also open, because your brothers and sisters will have their own families and will lead their own separate lives.
Now join the Index fingers and separate your little fingers (representing your children). They will open too, because the children also will get married and leave.
Finally, join your Little fingers, and try to separate your Ring fingers (representing your spouse).
You cannot do it, because husband and wife should remain together all their lives.