THE HANDS
FUNCTIONS and ACTIVITIES
This body part, (or pair of corresponding parts), is pre-eminently the one whose function is to act on the environment and "mould it to one's heart's desire". It is the organ involved in fine motor, manual activities. It, (they) grasp objects, manipulate them, e.g. move them from one place to another, rotate them, bring one object to another, put one object into some relationship with another, e.g. put one object inside, or on top of another, and so dominate and control objects, and the environment.SHAPE or FORM
The hand is an organ which can characteristically and importantly assume a number of forms or hand-shapes. Each one is suited to a particular use or function. Consequently the shape of the hand can signal the use to which it will be put, and the meaning, in t.r.a., mime, picture communication, in sign, and so on.A Click for more This shape is a fist handshape. If empty this hand shape could be used aggressively, e.g. to punch someone. It is the appropriate shape for holding some objects e.g. a hammer, and an inappropriate, crude, ineffective, and immature shape to hold other objects, e.g. a pencil |
G Click for more This shape is a pointing handshape. It can be used to indicate something near or far, by a touch or distance point. But it can also be used to poke, or prod something/someone. |
5 Click for more This shape occurs in various n.r.a. actions. Additionally it occurs in the symbolic palm-regarding behaviour discussed at length elsewhere on this site, in these three articles:- Body Parts as Symbolic Objects, 1 Body Parts as Symbolic Objects, 2 Body Parts as Symbolic Objects, 3 |
B Click for more This flat hand shape occurs in various actions. It is not typically a holding shape, unless the object is being carried on top of the palm up hand. If empty the shape could be associated with stroking, patting, slapping etc |
C | F |
G | G'''^ Click for more This shape is associated with a mature grasp of a pen or pencil |
5'''.
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This is a scratching handshape. With this handshape, and with contact of a surface, and a movement in the plane of the surface the nails can be used to scratch the surface However it can also be used to grasp something, especially a BALL |
J | C'
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This shape is one suitable for holding hands. |
L |
M | G=''' Click for more This is a pinching handshape. It can deliver a sort of small, petty aggression, favoured by little girls. |
O | P | Q | R |
Parts of the hand
Body Parts as Symbolic Objects, 1
Body Parts as Symbolic Objects, 2
Body Parts as Symbolic Objects, 3
Go back to 'The meaning of body parts'
Go back to 'A Pencil Grip Code'