Signing Savvy, Your Sign Language Resource

Savvy User James Savvy Guest
Thursday, April 21, 2011

Isn't this also the sign for bad/evil/devil?

Savvy User Kelly Savvy Member
Sunday, November 6, 2011

According to the A Basic Course in ASL book, this sign can be done one-handed.

Savvy User HALEY Savvy Guest
Sunday, February 12, 2012

According to ASLU (http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-signs/m/mischievous.htm)

The sign mischievous is a version of the sign for "devil." The sign "DEVIL" uses a serious expression with a set jaw and penetrating gaze. The sign "mischievous" uses a mischievous facial expression: an exaggerated smile, you duck the head forward a bit, hunch the shoulders up a bit, and squint the eyes somewhat.

I remember watching a Hearing person sign a prayer at church. He asked the Lord for protection from "horse."

Heh. I knew what he meant of course, but I also knew that he didn't know the difference between the sign for "Devil" and the sign for "horse."

The sign "HORSE" uses an "H or U" hand with the thumb extended, and the fingers together. The fingers bend at the first (large) knuckles. The sign for "devil" (or "Satan") uses a "three hand" and bends, unbends, and re-bends the fingers at the second and third knuckles (the small knuckles) ending in a 3 digit claw shape with the thumb touching the side of the forehead.

John @ Signing Savvy Savvy Member
Sunday, February 12, 2012

The signs are similar but if you look closely at the videos, the fingers bend at the hand and move forward for the sign HORSE and the fingers bend at the knuckle for the sign DEVIL. Like you referred to in your example from church, the context should make it so that the two signs are never confused.