The hand orientation is used for the sign, and salute. It stands for the three parts of the scout oath:

Duty to god
Duty to others
Duty to Yourself

you make the scout sign by putting your three middle fingers up and covering the nail of your pinky of you right hand. Put it at a right angle holding the 3 fingers straight up.

For the scout salute you put the scout sign on the brim of your hat or tip of your right eyebrow.