How to Sign "Peace"
the sign 'peace' uses both hands. Press the palms of both hands together and rotate the hands at the wrists so the top hand becomes the bottom hand. Bring both hands out and away from each other with the palms facing downwards.
Examples Using "Peace" in a Sentence
1
I want peace in the world.
Sign 'I', 'WANT', 'WORLD', and then 'PEACE' by pressing your palms together, rotating them, and smoothing them outward to show a calm state.
2
The baby is finally sleeping peacefully.
After signing 'BABY' and 'SLEEP', use the sign for 'PEACE' to emphasize the calm, quiet state, making sure your hands glide outward smoothly.
3
We need to make peace with each other.
Point between yourself and the other person, then perform the 'PEACE' sign, starting with the hands clasped and rotating before spreading them flat to show the resolution.
How to Sign "Peace"
the sign 'peace' uses both hands. Press the palms of both hands together and rotate the hands at the wrists so the top hand becomes the bottom hand. Bring both hands out and away from each other with the palms facing downwards.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The visual logic behind the sign for 'peace' is a beautiful, intuitive combination of two distinct ASL concepts. The first movement—pressing the palms together and rotating them at the wrists—is closely related to the ASL sign for 'BECOME' or 'MAKE.' The second movement—sweeping the hands outward and away from each other with the palms facing down—is the standard sign for 'CALM,' 'QUIET,' or 'SMOOTH.' When you put these two movements together, the sign literally and visually represents the concept of 'becoming calm' or creating a smooth, tranquil, and harmonious environment.
Signing Tips
To make your sign for 'peace' look natural and fluent, focus heavily on the transition between the two distinct movements. The first part, where you press and rotate your palms, should be a deliberate, connected motion. As you finish the rotation, seamlessly transition into the second part by bringing your hands outward and away from each other. This outward sweep should feel incredibly smooth, steady, and calming. Keep your shoulders relaxed throughout the entire motion, and ensure your facial expression is soft and serene to perfectly match the tranquil meaning of the word.
Common Mistakes
A very frequent mistake beginners make is rushing through the sign or entirely skipping the initial palm rotation. Sometimes, learners will only perform the outward sweeping motion, which actually changes the meaning to 'calm' or 'quiet' rather than 'peace.' To avoid this, make sure you clearly press your palms together and rotate them first before gliding them apart. Additionally, pay close attention to your palm orientation during the second half of the sign; ensure your palms are facing completely downward toward the floor during the outward sweep, rather than facing each other or angled forward.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Peace" in a Sentence
1I want peace in the world.
Sign 'I', 'WANT', 'WORLD', and then 'PEACE' by pressing your palms together, rotating them, and smoothing them outward to show a calm state.
2The baby is finally sleeping peacefully.
After signing 'BABY' and 'SLEEP', use the sign for 'PEACE' to emphasize the calm, quiet state, making sure your hands glide outward smoothly.
3We need to make peace with each other.
Point between yourself and the other person, then perform the 'PEACE' sign, starting with the hands clasped and rotating before spreading them flat to show the resolution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to do both parts of the sign?
Yes, to accurately sign 'peace,' you need both the initial palm rotation and the outward sweeping motion. Skipping the first part makes it look like the sign for 'calm' or 'quiet' instead of 'peace.'
Does it matter which hand is on top when I start?
Usually, your dominant hand starts on top or does the primary moving, but it doesn't strictly matter as long as you press the palms together, rotate them so their positions flip, and then move into the outward sweep.
What facial expression should I use?
ASL relies heavily on facial expressions. When signing 'peace,' your face should look relaxed, calm, and serene. A tense or angry face will completely contradict the peaceful meaning of your hands.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!