To sign Hanukkah, start with both hands in a '4' handshape, meaning your four fingers are extended and spread apart while your thumbs are tucked in. Hold your hands in front of your chest with your palms facing toward you and your index fingers touching or very close together. Then, smoothly move both hands outward to the sides. This motion visually represents the shape and the candles of a menorah.
To sign this festive greeting, first sign 'Happy' by brushing your flat hands upward on your chest a couple of times. Then, transition into the sign for 'Hanukkah' by bringing your '4' hands together and pulling them apart.
Establish the context by signing 'Hanukkah' first. Then sign 'Candle' by holding up one index finger and wiggling the fingers of your other hand over it like a flame, followed by the sign for 'Light'.
Sign 'Hanukkah', then 'Start' by twisting your index finger between the fingers of your other hand. Finally, sign 'When' while furrowing your eyebrows, which is the standard facial expression for asking a 'wh-' question in ASL.
To sign this festive greeting, first sign 'Happy' by brushing your flat hands upward on your chest a couple of times. Then, transition into the sign for 'Hanukkah' by bringing your '4' hands together and pulling them apart.
Establish the context by signing 'Hanukkah' first. Then sign 'Candle' by holding up one index finger and wiggling the fingers of your other hand over it like a flame, followed by the sign for 'Light'.
Sign 'Hanukkah', then 'Start' by twisting your index finger between the fingers of your other hand. Finally, sign 'When' while furrowing your eyebrows, which is the standard facial expression for asking a 'wh-' question in ASL.
The '4' handshape on both hands gives you a total of eight extended fingers. These eight fingers visually represent the eight main candles on the Hanukkah menorah. Tucking your thumbs in ensures the number is accurate!
Your palms should face toward you (inward) for the duration of the sign. Starting with your palms facing inward and your index fingers touching is the standard and most natural way to execute this sign.
No, you do not need to bounce your hands. The movement should be a smooth, continuous glide outward from the center of your chest, simply outlining the horizontal span of the menorah.
