How to Sign "Throne"

To sign 'throne,' start by making the sign for 'sit.' Form 'U' handshapes with both hands by extending your index and middle fingers. Place your dominant 'U' hand across your non-dominant 'U' hand. Next, transition both hands into flat 'B' handshapes with your palms facing down. Move both hands outward to the sides and slightly downward. This second movement visually outlines the wide, grand armrests of a royal throne, distinguishing it from a regular chair.

Examples Using "Throne" in a Sentence

1

The king sat on his throne.

Sign 'KING' followed by the sign for 'THRONE' (the 'sit' motion plus the wide armrests) to clearly show where the royal figure is seated.

2

The queen's throne is made of gold.

Use the sign for 'QUEEN', then 'THRONE', followed by 'GOLD' to describe the luxurious material of the royal seat.

3

Who will take the throne next?

Sign 'WHO', 'TAKE', and then 'THRONE'. Emphasize the grand size of the chair at the end of the sign to highlight its importance.

How to Sign "Throne"
To sign 'throne,' start by making the sign for 'sit.' Form 'U' handshapes with both hands by extending your index and middle fingers. Place your dominant 'U' hand across your non-dominant 'U' hand. Next, transition both hands into flat 'B' handshapes with your palms facing down. Move both hands outward to the sides and slightly downward. This second movement visually outlines the wide, grand armrests of a royal throne, distinguishing it from a regular chair.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is a highly visual compound that combines an action with a physical description. The first part uses the standard ASL concept for 'sit,' where the extended fingers represent legs draping over the edge of a seat. The second part uses flat hands as classifiers to outline the physical shape of a throne, specifically highlighting its wide, prominent armrests to distinguish it from an everyday piece of furniture.
Signing Tips
Focus on the smooth transition between the two parts of the sign. Make sure the initial 'sit' portion is brief and clear, then exaggerate the outward movement of your flat hands. Emphasizing the wide armrests helps convey the grand, imposing size of a throne compared to a regular chair. You can also adopt a slightly regal or serious posture to match the context.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is forgetting the second part of the sign and only signing 'sit' or 'chair.' Without the outward movement of the flat hands to show the large armrests, the sign just means an ordinary seat. Ensure you clearly outline the wide arms to convey the grandeur of a throne.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Throne" in a Sentence
1

The king sat on his throne.

Sign 'KING' followed by the sign for 'THRONE' (the 'sit' motion plus the wide armrests) to clearly show where the royal figure is seated.

2

The queen's throne is made of gold.

Use the sign for 'QUEEN', then 'THRONE', followed by 'GOLD' to describe the luxurious material of the royal seat.

3

Who will take the throne next?

Sign 'WHO', 'TAKE', and then 'THRONE'. Emphasize the grand size of the chair at the end of the sign to highlight its importance.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sign for 'throne' the same as 'chair'?

No. While they both involve the concept of sitting, 'throne' includes an extra descriptive movement. After the initial 'sit' motion, you move your flat hands outward to show the large, wide armrests of a royal throne.

Do I need to sign 'king' or 'queen' before signing 'throne'?

It is not strictly necessary if the context is already clear, as the exaggerated size of the armrests in the sign implies a grand, royal seat. However, adding 'king' or 'queen' beforehand can provide extra clarity in a story.

Which hand goes on top for the first part of the sign?

Your dominant hand should always go on top. If you are right-handed, your right 'U' hand will rest across your left 'U' hand during the initial 'sit' portion of the sign.

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