ASL Dictionary of Religious Signs

Sin

Sign:

"Sin"

Sin

Synonyms:

Iniquity, Offense, Trespass, Transgression

Hand Shape:

"X" with palms facing upward. See detail picture below (Variation 1).

Motion:

Keep hands at waist level on opposite sides of your body. Rotate them outward in small circles. Repeat as many times as you feel necessary (often the signer will repeat the motion more to indicate ongoing sin; repeating motion only 2 or 3 times is acceptable otherwise).

Note(s):

(Mnemonic Note) The motion of the sign is like the ongoing cycle of sin. You could even think of the hooked finger as representing the way sin "hooks" someone.

Variations:

variation 1

There are many different variations. Some people literally sign "do wrong" or "break law". Another conceptual variation is signed similarly, but with different hand shapes: instead of the hooked "X" finger, the index finger is straight and the palms are pointed slightly more toward the body, fingers upward. The direction of the circular motion is reversed, also. Some people begin the sign with the index finger coming away from the mouth, and then do the circular motion.