Here's what it means:
The shaka sign, sometimes known as "hang loose", is a gesture often associated with Hawaiiand surf culture. It consists of extending the thumb and smallest finger while holding the three middle fingers curled, and gesturing in salutation while presenting the front or back of the hand; the hand may be rotated back and forth for emphasis. The shaka sign was adopted from local Hawaiian culture and customs by visiting surfers in the 1960s, and its use has spread around the world.
Hawaiians use the shaka to convey the "Aloha Spirit", a concept of friendship, understanding, compassion, and solidarity among the various ethnic cultures that reside within Hawaii, lacking a direct semantic to literal translation. The shaka can also be used to express "howzit?", "thanks, eh?", and "all right!" Drivers will often use it on the road to communicate distant greetings and gratitude.
In American Sign Language, the shaka is one of the two signs used to refer to surfing.[citation needed] In California, the shaka sign may be referred to as "hang loose" or "hang ten"- both associated with surfer culture.
A symbolic interpretation of this kind and peaceful gesture can draw on the fluid dynamics of surfing in which the shape of the hand shows the use of strength of wave to move harmoniously from peak to valley to lofting exit. This is represented by the uplifted pinky as point of departure to the power slope, the three folded middle fingers as the power of the wave in its rolling face, and the return to a lower peak and lofting exit for turning on the ramp of thumb. This gesture in this way could also be used to represent the Taoist concept of wu wei, or effortless effort of going with the flow.[citation needed]
The gesture enjoys common use in American hang gliding culture, for both sentiment and word play, in part due to the simultaneous rise of surfing and hang gliding in California in the 1960s and 70s. It is also widely used among skydivers.
Along coastal Brazil, the shaka sign, known as the "hang loose", is a common gesture; it is also associated with the Brazilian jiu jitsu community internationally.[1]
There are three textese glyphs for the shaka sign - \.../, \, / and \m/ - the first known use of the first two is in c. 2006. The third version, with a lower case 'm' bearing more resemblance to a hand's three middle fingers, c. 2009.[2]
So.... Come to my shack tonight to share some aloha spirit and hang loose.
What: Pirate Jim's Kanikapila
Where: 87 Tuscany Springs Way NW Calgary
When: Tuesday August 18, 2015 (tonight)
Why: Because it is a heck of a lot of fun!
How Much: $5 for non-members
See you tonight!
- Pirate Jim
