View sign 'boat'

boat

Description

(meaning: to paddle)

Bring both closed hands well out in front of body, right hand over left; swing the hands to the rear, a little to left and slightly downwards, as the hands are carried back in front of body; place right under left and swing hands to rear, a little to the right and downwards.


References: fire

Notes

Clark notes that these motions are made by elbow and shoulder action, and the hands are held in the natural position when grasping a paddle, viz., back of right nearly to right, back of left to left, when making the motion on left side of body, and the reverse when making it on right side. The birch bark canoe is indicated usually by this sign, and then hold the curved and compressed right hand in front of body, back down, to denote the curved prow.

Tomkins says hollowed hands held together indicate shape of boat, push out in front to show direction; for canoe make as though paddling; for row boat as though rowing; for steamboat add the sign for FIRE.