GreekChat.com Forums - Hand Signs/Symbols

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Coquiporvida (Post 1697238)

Well, it has been my experience that there ARE secret hand symbols that some GLO's have. I know that my sorority has a secret handsake that we is for members only....obviously. But hand symbol, or "sign", to my sorority (I wont speak for/about anyone elses) is shown with pride. When you see us holding up our sign in pictures or throwing it up while strolling, it isnt to be flashy, it is a part of our history, a gift from our founding madres, that we cherish present any time and any way tha we can. It isnt secret. It is public knowledge, and it is a way for other Greeks when they see it to say, "Oh, she's Sigma Alpha Chi". It can serve the same purpose paraphernalia does, it is a way to set ourselves apart from other sororities.

I do not do my sign to be flashy, it is a part of my history as a member of Sigma Alpha Chi that I have a great deal of pride for. Every time I show my sign, especially when I am with my sisters, I am paying omage to that history and to the 7 strong Latina women who left that piece of history.

As I said, if it's an accessory, then lable it as such.

As far as meaning something special - too many "secrets" are put out there these days; speculation and human curiosity will often sniff out the "secret". While knowledge of a symbol or phrase without context is simply just that - a factoid - I think that it diminishes the strength to which members attribute to it.

The same thing can be said for anything. The more it's seen, the less special it becomes. Familiarity strips novelty from anything.

That logic is pretty faulty.

I am not trying to make a logical assessment. This is just my opinion and you don't have to agree with it.

I am simply saying that:

1. If your handsign is something secret and sacred, showing it all the time lessens the "specialness" of it. The more times you see something, the less novel it becomes.

2. If it represents something secret and sacred, and it's viewed often by non-members (this goes for things like acronyms as well), people will try to figure it out. Even though they may not learn the meaning behind it (hence out of context), having the "secret" exposed can be very disappointing for members.

3. If it is meant as an accessory - or para like Coqui said - that's fine.

I have never used a handsign. I didn't know they existed for Greeks until a few years ago. People have come here explaining that they are integral parts of their history and such, and I am simply trying to understand what people are saying.

Repeating your main points doesn't make the process by which you came to your opinion less faulty. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senusret I (Post 1697333)

Repeating your main points doesn't make the process by which you came to your opinion less faulty. :)

I guess it's kind of like speaking louder to someone who doesn't speak your language. It doesn't help the situation, but it makes the speaker think that they are getting their point across better.

Oh well. I was never an effective debater. I just feel what I feel. Thanks for being nice about it! :p

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coquiporvida (Post 1697205)

It is MSU (Missouri State University) ODPhi Colony. They just got here the Spring of 2007. Actually I know the 7 founding fathers personally. The girl in the picture is my LS and we were all online at the same time while the guys did their founders line.

OK, that's what I thought. I looked up your organization and all I was able to find was Southwest Missouri State. I thought I missed the addition of a new colony :o

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senusret I (Post 1697333)

Repeating your main points doesn't make the process by which you came to your opinion less faulty. :)

I'm curious - from a logical perspective, what is it that you find faulty in her logic?

Quote:

Originally Posted by knight_shadow (Post 1697790)

OK, that's what I thought. I looked up your organization and all I was able to find was Southwest Missouri State. I thought I missed the addition of a new colony :o

Actually our website that is linked through the unversity is soooooooooo old! We are in the process of building a brand new website with current members and one that looks more professional!

We do the crown, phoenix, and the star.

Did this woman really say that Iotas were not Greek? Last itme I checked Iota Phi Theta were Greek letters and at the time of her post they were apart of the NPHC. WOW.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatalDSTination (Post 1375036)

All the NPHC have hand signs:

Omega Psi Phi
http://media.collegepublisher.com/me...s/ddom473d.jpg

Kappa Alpha Psi
http://arkalum.org/bas/ezine/images/3_2/banquet2.jpg

Delta Sigma Theta
http://www.itsablackthang.com/images...hews_small.jpg http://www.itsablackthang.com/images...hews_small.jpg Alpha Kappa Alpha

Alpha Phi Alpha (men) Sigma Gamm Rho (women)

http://www.indiana.edu/~aphia/rhophilove.jpg

Zeta Phi Beta

http://www.indiana.edu/~aphia/Zetalove.jpg

Zeta again, w/their brother, Phi Beta Sigma. They both sometime do the "dove" sign

http://www.iub.edu/~pbsei/32all.gif

Fianally, Iota Phi Theta and their...um..."fans" I guess, i dont know what to call them, they arent greek though

http://www.greeks.cornell.edu/facts/ipt/PICT0501.jpg

DISCLAIMER: I dont know any of these people...

I think she meant the "fans" whoever they are since you can't see the picture.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GPhi49erBeast (Post 1829853)

Did this woman really say that Iotas were not Greek? Last itme I checked Iota Phi Theta were Greek letters and at the time of her post they were apart of the NPHC. WOW.

You're dumb.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito (Post 1829862)

I think she meant the "fans" whoever they are since you can't see the picture.

Clearly. And Vito isn't even in the NPHC -- he can just READ.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Croakies n Bows (Post 1831527)

i cant believe that sorority in the picture sigma gamma row's sign is the same hand sign as the shocker.

http://www.pledgepark.com/images/smilies/thinking.gif

Hey Knight Shadow, I like your new sig.

^^^ We can thank DrPhil for that ;)