What Are the Major Sorority Hand Signs (& Their Meanings)?

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Learn if these hand gestures are a form of cultural appropriation
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Maybe you’ve seen a photo of sorority girls throwing up a mysterious hand gesture, or maybe you’ve been scrolling TikTok and heard mention of complex sorority hand signs and their meanings. Rest assured that, whatever questions you have, they’ll be answered here! We’ll show you the most recognizable sorority hand signs and what they mean , and we’ll fill you in on whether these hand signs are actually okay to use (or if they’re cultural appropriation ). Read on!

Sorority Hand Signs & Meanings

Some popular American sororities use hand signs to express affiliation and unity. Well-known hand signs belong to Greek Life organizations like Alpha Chi Omega, Delta Gamma, Phi Mu, and more. However, many of these signs have been officially discontinued over concerns of cultural appropriation.

Section 1 of 2:

Popular Sorority Hand Signs and Gestures

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  1. Each major sorority has its own unique hand gesture, which members use in photos or during events to demonstrate pride and unity within their respective sorority. [1] Here are some of the most popular Greek sororities in the U.S. and their hand signs:
    • Alpha Chi Omega (ΑΧΩ): Extend the index finger, middle finger, and thumb. Touch the tips of your middle fingers together and the tips of your thumbs together, with palms facing out and thumbs pointing downward.
    • Alpha Epsilon Phi (ΑΕΦ): Make a (millennial) heart-hand shape with all of your fingertips touching each other.
    • Alpha Xi Delta (ΑΞΔ): Make a “rock on” or “sign of the horn” gesture with your right hand. Extend the index finger on your left hand and overlap it with your other index finger.
    • Chi Omega (ΧΩ): Make an “L” shape with each of your hands. Overlap the index fingers on each hand, while keeping your thumbs pointing downward.
    • Delta Gamma (ΔΓ): Make a peace sign with one hand and an “L” shape with the other. Flip the “L” hand so that it’s pointed downward, then flip the “peace” hand and place the extended fingertips along the top edge of the “L” hand’s thumb.
    • Phi Mu (ΦΜ): Touch the tips of your index fingers together in a triangle shape. Next, curl your middle fingers to form a semicircle on top of each index finger. Then, form circles with your thumbs and ring fingers to sit beneath your extended forefingers.
    • Phi Sigma Sigma (ΦΣΣ): Make a heart with your thumbs and index fingers. Then, extend your middle fingers and touch their tips together to make a triangle above the heart.
    • Sigma Delta Tau (ΣΔΤ): Extend the middle three fingers on your right hand and make a “V” shape with your left hand. Turn the “3” sideways and touch the index and ring fingers against the index finger and thumb of the “L” hand, respectively.
    • Sigma Kappa (ΣΚ): Make a heart with your index fingers and thumbs, and extend your middle fingers to make a triangle above the heart. Finally, extend all remaining fingers upwards.
    • Tri Delta (ΔΔΔ): Form a right-side-up triangle with your thumbs and index fingers.
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Section 2 of 2:

Are sorority hand signs cultural appropriation?

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  1. Sorority hand signs and gestures originated with historically Black sororities and fraternities that belong to the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). These signs, coupled with chants and calls, are considered a significant and official ritual in the history and practices of NPHC sororities. In the 20th and 21st centuries, however, these signs were borrowed and popularized in historical White sororities (belonging to the National Panhellenic Conference or NPC). Unfortunately, the adoption of hand signs by White sororities was done without an understanding of the gestures’ deep cultural significance within NPHC groups. [2]
    • As a result, many have argued that the widespread use of hand signs in NPC sororities—without any understanding or acknowledgement of their origins and meanings—is a form of cultural appropriation.
    • Some sororities have completely stopped using their hand signs, especially since the NPC acknowledged the cultural appropriation and refused to endorse their usage as an official practice.

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.columbusstate.edu/student-life/greeks/terminology-and-etiquette.php
      2. ↑ https://wfuogb.com/14644/opinion/racism-remains-persistent-in-greek-life/

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