Category Archives: Kinesthetic

Body movements

Fox Window Hand Sign

Age: 20


Date of performance: 2/22/25


Nationality: Chinese


Occupation: Student


Primary Language: Chinese & English


Residence: United States

Context:

The interviewee believes that the hand sign provides a window for the user to see someone close that’s deceased. They originally heard it from other kids while growing up. Despite this knowledge, and influence as a kid growing up, they have never tried the hand sign as a result of superstition. This superstition stems from the fact that they believe that if it’s done incorrectly, the dead will haunt them instead. According to them, they believe that its origins stem from Japan. Furthermore, this concept is also seen in general throughout Asian Literature

Analysis:

I found this concept to be interesting as I feel like I’ve heard of this hand sign before in media. Despite having a faint memory of previous references, I’ve never encountered one with a concept such as this one and its connection to a dead loved one. I feel like I’ve naturally heard of ones with similar ideas that are all connected to some vision of the dead. Much like my interviewee’s interpretation, I’ve heard of one that serves as a lens to the world of the dead in general, with the consequences serving from staring at the ghosts or certain animals.

Traditional, Familial Greeting

Language: English

Age: 20 

Date of performance: 02/11/2025

Language: English

Nationality: American

Occupation: Student 

Primary Language: English

Context– A is a sophomore studying Human Biology on a pre-medical track. When asked if there are any traditions within his family, he told me that his mom’s side in Mexico typically greets all loved ones with smothers of kisses on the cheek. A says that it started in their family generations ago, and is now happening through his grandparents. However, he tells me that “it isn’t a generational thing, more of a grandparental thing. I don’t think it will be carried on by descendants”. He doesn’t see himself or his sister carrying on the tradition.

Analysis– Within folklore, tradition is a contemporary & observable form of action that represents a past. A’s familial tradition of kissing on the cheek as a greeting for loved ones represents a tradition his grandparents have implemented within the family because it is ongoing and represents their past as it reflects what their parents used to do to them and their family members. Personally, I see similar actions within my family as my stepmom’s family greets in a similar style, however, they do light air kisses on the cheek instead of smothering us in kisses. This can be seen as an oicotype because both my family and A’s family share the characteristic of being Hispanic and a similar way of greeting is tradition for both families, just in a slightly different way. 

Ride Safe Sign

Nationality: American
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
Language: English

The gesture: Out with the left hand extended downward  by his thigh, “O” made a gesture like a peace sign, the index and middle finger extended and the palm turned forward facing the same direction as him.

“It’s the universal for, like a ‘ride safe’ thing when you pass another biker, like on the opposite side of the street, because there’s that sense of community that comes from riding, so it’s like, when you see someone else who’s taking that risk and is out riding and stuff, you always give them that little sign. And it’s kind of a biker only thing. 

Analysis: As the informant identified, this gesture encourages community members to support each other and recognize their risk and commitment. More than that, this gesture seems like a blessing, especially in its almost compulsory nature. The informant mentions that one ‘always’ gives this sign when seeing another rider as a way to say ‘ride safe’. “Ride safe” in itself is a blessing, a wish upon others to be safe on the road, and the gesture creates a nonverbal blessing that riders can give while also riding safe themselves. Because it is expected to always give this sign, the absence of it might indicate ill will or a jinx, making the upkeep of this tradition and gesture more important to those who believe in its significance.

Knock on Wood

Nationality: American
Age: 19
Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Language: English

Knock on Wood

“If I say something I think will be jinxed or bring bad luck, I’ll run over to the nearest wood thing and knock on it frantically”

Context: Informant remembers starting this behavior around the start of high school, at about age 14. There is no pattern to the number of times the informant knocks, but they will leave conversations at any point to complete the gesture. The informant does not remember who passed this gesture on to them and does not know of many people who use the same gesture, but hypothesizes the initial knowledge may have been passed unknowingly by interviewer.

Analysis: The folk behavior of ‘knocking on wood’ is meant to ward off bad luck or jinxes brought on by the verbal mention of such knowledge. It acts as a measure of protection for the informant, and requires immediacy. It is implied that if one does not complete this action, they might be accidentally inviting bad things to happen to them. Additionally, whether the practice does ward off jinxes or not, its belief has significance to the perception of subsequent events and may be used as reasoning for good/bad luck following the gesture. Notably, this gesture is in response to a specific statement, not a broad gesture to ward off evil. The individual must speak the opportunity for jinxes into existence, and this gesture is not useful before a statement has been theorized.

“Go big O”

Nationality: American
Age: 20
Occupation: College Student
Residence: Syracuse, NY
Language: English

Title:

“Go big O”

Context:

The informant is from Syracuse, NY which is known as Syracuse orange. Anytime the National Anthem is played they do an O with their arms over their head when the lyrics say “O”. This is because Syracuse’s color theme is orange and they have a saying “go big O” which is mainly done at sports games.

Analysis:

I see this gesture as symbolic because they have their own way of singing the song that is able to connect with the city. This is able to bring everyone together and create community. The gesture shares the idea of identity which connect to folklore, people in Syracuse share this same folklore.