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PocketSign

How to Sign "Sunflower"

To sign *sunflower*, start with your dominant hand in an open '5' handshape on the dominant side of your face, palm facing inward. Sweep your hand across your face, bringing your fingertips and thumb together into a flat 'O' shape as it passes in front of your nose. Continue moving your hand to the opposite side of your face, opening it back up into a '5' handshape. This fluid motion beautifully combines the concept of a blooming flower with the radiant shape of the sun.

Examples Using "Sunflower" in a Sentence

1

Look at that tall sunflower!

To sign this, point to the object, sign TALL, and then use the sweeping sign for SUNFLOWER.

2

I love eating sunflower seeds.

Sign I, LOVE, EAT, SUNFLOWER, and then SEED by rubbing your thumb and fingers together as if dropping seeds.

3

The sunflower is yellow.

First sign SUNFLOWER, then sign YELLOW by shaking a 'Y' handshape back and forth.

How to Sign "Sunflower"
To sign *sunflower*, start with your dominant hand in an open '5' handshape on the dominant side of your face, palm facing inward. Sweep your hand across your face, bringing your fingertips and thumb together into a flat 'O' shape as it passes in front of your nose. Continue moving your hand to the opposite side of your face, opening it back up into a '5' handshape. This fluid motion beautifully combines the concept of a blooming flower with the radiant shape of the sun.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is a beautiful blend of visual concepts. The flat 'O' shape near the nose incorporates the traditional sign for *flower* (representing smelling a blossom). Opening the hand into a '5' handshape on either side represents the large, sun-like petals of a sunflower radiating outward.
Signing Tips
Keep the motion smooth and continuous as your hand travels across your face. The closing of the fingers at the nose mimics the traditional sign for *flower*, while the open '5' handshapes on either side represent the large, bright petals of a sunflower.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is stopping the motion in the middle. The sign should be one continuous sweep across the face, rather than three separate, choppy movements. Also, make sure your palm faces toward you throughout the entire sign.
Regional Variations
Some signers may use a compound sign instead, signing SUN (drawing a circle in the air and opening the hand) followed by the standard sign for FLOWER (touching a flat 'O' hand to both sides of the nose).
Examples Using "Sunflower" in a Sentence
1

Look at that tall sunflower!

To sign this, point to the object, sign TALL, and then use the sweeping sign for SUNFLOWER.

2

I love eating sunflower seeds.

Sign I, LOVE, EAT, SUNFLOWER, and then SEED by rubbing your thumb and fingers together as if dropping seeds.

3

The sunflower is yellow.

First sign SUNFLOWER, then sign YELLOW by shaking a 'Y' handshape back and forth.

Frequently Asked Questions
Does it matter which side of my face I start on?

It is most natural to start on the dominant side of your face and sweep across to the non-dominant side. For example, if you are right-handed, start on the right side and move to the left.

Should my hand actually touch my nose?

You don't have to make hard contact. Your fingertips can lightly brush your nose or simply pass very close in front of it as your hand forms the flat 'O' shape.

Is this the only way to sign sunflower?

While this sweeping, blooming motion is a highly visual and popular variation, you may also see people sign the separate words SUN and FLOWER sequentially.

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