ASL Dictionary of Religious Signs

Spirit

Sign:

"Spirit"

Spirit

Synonyms:

Soul, Ghost

Hand Shape:

"F" shape for right hand and "O" shape for left hand.

Motion:

Hold your left hand in front of you in an "O" shape, palm facing toward you. Begin motion with right "F" hand just over left, with index finger and thumb inside "O" hand. Move right hand up and away from left, wiggling it as you do.

Variations:

variation 1

Motion for right hand is same as above. Hold left hand in "F" shape. Begin with index fingers and thumbs touching or linked (like for "connect"). As you move your right hand up, move your left hand down a slightly shorter distance. (See Variant 1.) This sign usually refers more to the spirit as an entity and can be used for "ghost". The above example usually refers more to the soul, although there is another newer sign that is becoming accepted as the sign referring to an individual?s "inner being", or eternal soul. Either sign may also be done using the middle fingers instead of the index fingers.