List of Hand-Seal Techniques

Ninjas use hand-seal techniques to manipulate their chakras. Chakra is a concept referring to levels of energy and consciousness within the body. There are seven chakras, also called auras. The hand seal is a way that a ninja puts his hands together, allowing him to create a certain jutsu. The "jutsu" is mystical ninja technique. Each hand seal comes from the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac and reflects the purpose of the deity the hand gesture represents.

  1. Rat and Ox/Cow

    • For the rat hand seal, the ninja puts his hands together. He holds his index finger and middle finger with one hand and bends his ring and pinky finger. For the ox/cow hand seal, one hand keeps its fingers extended. The other hand keeps all fingers extended except the middle and ring finger. The ninja then bends the middle and ring finger. The hand with the bent fingers also has a wrist bent upward.

    Tiger and Rabbit/Hare

    • For the tiger, hands are clasped together and the index fingers are pointing upward and pressed together. The other fingers are interlocked. For the rabbit/hare, one hand has its middle, ring and pinky fingers bent and the index finger extended, as if it is pointing. The other hand has its fingers bent, except for the pinky finger. The pinky finger on one hand is extended and touches the extended index finger on the other hand. The thumb on the hand with the index finger pointing touches the top of the other hand. The hand with the extended pinky is on top of the hand with the pointing finger.

    Dragon and Snake/Serpent

    • For the dragon, all the fingers are clasped and facing away from the body, except for the two pinky fingers, which are pressed together and extended down. The two thumbs touch each other while bending. For the snake/serpent, clasp all fingers, with the knuckles of the fingers pointing up.

    Horse and Ram

    • For the horse, with both hands facing away from the body, the ninja bends the middle ring and pinky finger on both hands and interlocks them. He extends the index fingers and has only the tips touch, forming a triangle with the hands. The thumbs are bent. For the ram, both wrists are bent upward. With one hand, the ninja sticks the thumb up in the air and bends the rest of the fingers. With the other hand, she sticks all fingers in the air, except for ring finger and pinky. She presses her palms together and has the ring finger and pinky overlap the hand with the thumb in the air.

    Monkey

    • The ninja relaxes all his fingers and keeps them extended. One palm faces down and the other palm faces up. He does not bend the wrists. The thumb on the hand of the palm facing up rests on top of the pinky finger on the other hand. When done properly, the hands and arms will form a straight line.

    Bird or Dog

    • For the bird, the ninja bends her thumbs and press them together. She then presses the pinkies and index fingers together. She bends and interlocks the middle and ring fingers. Her hands should form somewhat of a triangle. For the dog, the ninja bends her fingers with one hand and almost make a fist, but keeps her hand relaxed. The ninja places that other hand over the fist, very relaxed. With a hand on top, the ninja keeps the fingers straight and together.