Hand Signs/Symbols

[ree-Xi]

Let me preface this email by saying that it is not my intent to flame anyone or start a war, this is simply MY opinion. Now that I have probably put people on the defensive, let's move on.

I often hear people say that their handsigns are "very important" to their history, purpose, etc., and while I can think of an instance or two where that might be the case (example follows), most of the time it just seems like "the cool thing to do".

I can see a handsign being important for secrecy reason. Let's say your organization was formed out of secrecy and solidarity, where your very existance was hidden for very real and practical reasons (cultural issues, prohibition, etc.). You might had a handsign that is "hidden in plain site" where if someone was standing in a crowd and they used it, you could pick them out, and know that that person was "one of yours".

In which case, the handsign would be very secret, never used where people could "catch" on (i.e., not in a group photo where everyone was doing it).

I have heard of soldiers doing handsigns in photos/videos to show that they are being held against their will, or to send some sort of message to those viewing it.

Outside of those types of situations, in my opinion, a handsign simply becomes an accessory. Not saying that accessories are bad, but it then loses any sense of a "reason" to do it other than for the sake of "doing it". If you are doing it just because it's "cool" or "cute", then admit that it's the case. If it's truly for "secrecy" or ritual reasons, I would think a member would want to protect and respect it, and therefore not "flashing" it everywhere.

[Coquiporvida]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

Let me preface this email by saying that it is not my intent to flame anyone or start a war, this is simply MY opinion. Now that I have probably put people on the defensive, let's move on.

I often hear people say that their handsigns are "very important" to their history, purpose, etc., and while I can think of an instance or two where that might be the case (example follows), most of the time it just seems like "the cool thing to do".

I can see a handsign being important for secrecy reason. Let's say your organization was formed out of secrecy and solidarity, where your very existance was hidden for very real and practical reasons (cultural issues, prohibition, etc.). You might had a handsign that is "hidden in plain site" where if someone was standing in a crowd and they used it, you could pick them out, and know that that person was "one of yours".

In which case, the handsign would be very secret, never used where people could "catch" on (i.e., not in a group photo where everyone was doing it).

I have heard of soldiers doing handsigns in photos/videos to show that they are being held against their will, or to send some sort of message to those viewing it.

Outside of those types of situations, in my opinion, a handsign simply becomes an accessory. Not saying that accessories are bad, but it then loses any sense of a "reason" to do it other than for the sake of "doing it". If you are doing it just because it's "cool" or "cute", then admit that it's the case. If it's truly for "secrecy" or ritual reasons, I would think a member would want to protect and respect it, and therefore not "flashing" it everywhere.

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.

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by Coquiporvida

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.