How to Sign "Satan"

To sign 'Satan', bring both hands up to the sides of your forehead near your temples. Form '3' handshapes on both hands, with your thumbs, index fingers, and middle fingers extended. Point your fingers upward and lightly rest your thumbs near your temples. Finally, bend your index and middle fingers twice, resembling the horns of a devil.

Examples Using "Satan" in a Sentence

1

Satan is a figure in many stories.

Sign 'Satan' by placing your '3' hands at your temples and bending the fingers, followed by the signs for 'figure', 'many', and 'story'.

2

She bought a Satan mask for Halloween.

Use the sign for 'Satan' before signing 'mask' to describe the specific type of costume she purchased.

3

The villain in the movie was Satan.

Establish the context of the movie and the villain, then use the horn-like motion of the 'Satan' sign to identify the character.

How to Sign "Satan"
To sign 'Satan', bring both hands up to the sides of your forehead near your temples. Form '3' handshapes on both hands, with your thumbs, index fingers, and middle fingers extended. Point your fingers upward and lightly rest your thumbs near your temples. Finally, bend your index and middle fingers twice, resembling the horns of a devil.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly iconic and visually motivated. The placement of the hands at the temples and the bending of the fingers directly represent the stereotypical horns traditionally associated with Satan, demons, or devils in folklore and popular culture.
Signing Tips
Keep your thumbs anchored near your temples to provide stability for the sign. The movement should be isolated to your index and middle fingers bending at the knuckles. A slightly intense facial expression can also help convey the meaning, depending on the context of your sentence.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake is moving your entire hand or bouncing your arms instead of just bending your fingers. Another common error for beginners is using only the index fingers (the '1' handshape) instead of the '3' handshape, which is the standard way to sign this concept.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Satan" in a Sentence
1

Satan is a figure in many stories.

Sign 'Satan' by placing your '3' hands at your temples and bending the fingers, followed by the signs for 'figure', 'many', and 'story'.

2

She bought a Satan mask for Halloween.

Use the sign for 'Satan' before signing 'mask' to describe the specific type of costume she purchased.

3

The villain in the movie was Satan.

Establish the context of the movie and the villain, then use the horn-like motion of the 'Satan' sign to identify the character.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sign for Satan the same as the sign for devil?

Yes, in ASL, the signs for 'Satan', 'devil', and 'demon' often use this exact same motion. The context of your sentence will clarify which specific English word you mean.

Do my thumbs need to physically touch my head?

Your thumbs should lightly touch or hover very close to your temples. This acts as an anchor point so the 'horns' appear to be coming directly from your head.

How many times do I bend my fingers?

You should bend your index and middle fingers twice in a quick, crisp motion. Bending them just once might look like a different sign or appear incomplete to fluent signers.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!