Shaka sign
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2007) |
The "shaka" sign is a common greeting gesture. It is often associated with Hawaii. It consists of extending the thumb and smallest finger while keeping the three middle fingers curled, and raising the hand as in salutation with the back of the hand facing the person that is being greeted; sometimes the hand is rotated back and forth to emphasize the sign.
Hawaiian locals use the shaka for various meanings, like "all right", "cool", "smooth", etc. Residents of states other than Hawaii who use the shaka may describe it as meaning "hang loose" and in California, the symbol itself is more commonly called the "hang loose" sign rather than the "Shaka" sign. It is also used to convey what locals in Hawai'i call the "Aloha Spirit," a gesture of friendship and understanding between the various ethnic cultures that reside within Hawai'i. It can also be used to signal a "hello", "goodbye", " 'till next time", "take care", "Alright!" In sign language, the shaka is one of the two signs used to refer to surfing.
The sign is often followed by waving as a greeting or acknowledgement. It can be used when driving as a signal of thanks to other drivers (for example, someone who stopped to let another driver onto the road from a driveway).
The shaka sign was popularized among locals in Hawaii through its use by second-hand car salesman, Lippy Espinda, in his television commercials which were broadcast throughout the state in the 1960s. It was adopted as a salutation of friendship by the local culture at large from then on.
The shaka sign was used as a campaign signal by Frank Fasi, a populist Honolulu politician of the 1970s and 1980s. Argentine football player Luis "Lucho" Gonzalez adopted the gesture around 2003 playing for club River Plate. It was used as a gesture towards fans when he would score. Ronaldinho, who has been awarded FIFA World Footballer of the Year, European Player of the Year, and other awards, also adopted the "shaka."
Pro wrestler Crush used the shaka sign as part of his Hawaiian gimmick in the World Wrestling Federation from 1992-1993.
UFC Superstar Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell is usually seen using the shaka with his arms crossed either in front or over his head as he enters the octagon to show respect for his style of martial arts, Hawaiian Kempo Karate.
US President Barack Obama was seen making the shaka sign on his inauguration day. [1]
Shane Victorino, the Hawaiian baseball player who plays center field for the Philadelphia Phillies, customarily makes the Shaka sign as he rounds third base after he hits a home run. During the 2009 season, the team started selling foam "We're Number 1" fingers in the shape of the shaka sign at their home ballpark. The fingers say "Flyin' Hawaiian" on them, which is his nickname due to his speed on the basepaths.
[edit] Origin
One theory according to the Honolulu Star-Bulletin,[2] prevailing local lore credited the gesture to Kalili Hamana of Laie, who lost the three middle fingers of his right hand while working at the Kahuku Sugar Mill. Hamana was then shifted to guarding the sugar train, and his all-clear wave of thumb and pinkie is said to have evolved over the years into the "shaka". This story is also told by the Polynesian Cultural Center.[3]
[edit] References
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
