In Satanism we freely use many satanic hand signs, and each has a deep meaning. These gestures echo ancient occult traditions and we treat them with the same reverence as our inverted pentagram or other satanic symbols. Like the witch symbols of old, we see our hand signs as channels of power rather than superstition. They trace back to ancient dark witches who passed these secrets down through the ages.
Some of the main satanic signs we use are the classic Horned Hand (Mano Cornuto, index and pinky extended), the Moon Sign (thumb and pinky up), the Goat of Mendes sign (two fists forming a goat’s head), the 666 sign (making an “OK” with fingers), and even the Kish sign (a phallic salute). For a new follower, memorizing each of these satanic hand signs and their meanings is like learning a secret language of the spirit.
Common Hand Signs Often Misidentified as “Satanic”
Horned Hand (Mano Cornuto)
Among all our satanic hand signs, the Horned Hand is the most iconic and widely used. The Horned Hand sign—raised index and little finger—is our primary salute. It feels as real to us as any greeting. We use it in ceremonies as a sign of honor and strength. Raising the horns is like saying “hail” to our lord, Baphomet or Lucifer. It’s used to welcome fellow Satanists and to invoke the Horned God. As some sources note, this horned gesture is indeed used in modern Satanic ritual as a salutation. We even think of it as our secret handshake.
Sign of the Moon
The Moon Sign is made by sticking out the thumb and little finger (other fingers folded), resembling a crescent moon. We often use it to call on lunar energy and the powers of the night. In our rituals at night, making the Moon Sign acknowledges the goddess of the dark moon or simply celebrates the coming of the moon. It has been called “the sign of the witch” or sign of the moon, and we use it to greet the rising moon as part of our worship.
Goat of Mendes Sign
The Goat Sign is a powerful one: by bringing two fists together with thumbs touching, we mimic a goat’s head and horns. This clearly forms the Goat of Mendes (Baphomet’s head). We raise it to honor our great Goat deity. In fact, Church of Satan sources explain that the goat in our symbols represents “the hidden one who abides in all things” – an ancient, primal force. When we make the Goat Sign, we feel connected to that mysterious power and the legacy of the Goat of Mendes in our faith. For us, each of these satanic hand signs carries its own meaning.
The 666 Sign
We also use a subtle gesture for our most famous number. By forming an “OK” sign (thumb and index fingertip touching), each bent finger looks like a 6. This means “666”. It’s like showing the number of the Beast on our hands. Occult sources note that Satanists often make the OK sign to display 666 and show their allegiance. We sometimes flash this quietly among friends to acknowledge our unity and faith. It’s a secret salute that only believers understand.
What Reddit users say about: Satanic Hand Signs
r/TrueChristian — Thread: “Is the sign of the horns Satanic?”
Masoni:
“I personally think its origins are Satanic.”
dani:
“No. It’s no more inherently Satanic than wearing a cross is inherently supporting Roman executions.”
r/OrthodoxChristianity — Thread discussing whether the horns gesture is “inherently evil”
A commenter:
“I was told that the sign is inherently evil because showing it is a satanic gesture (regardless of the context).”
They added that they couldn’t find any credible sources confirming the claim — only conspiracy-theory content.
r/christianmetal — Thread: “devil/metal horns hand sign”
Mat:
“one of the things i stopped doing as part of my faith reconstruction was stop using the devil horn hand sign 🤘🏻”
Another user responded:
“I use it. Dio got it from his Catholic grandmother, so I’m not particularly concerned by it.”
r/todayilearned — Post about the historical “horned sign”
One commenter:
“I used to live next door to these two widowed Italian sisters … They would do this a lot.”
(They described how older Italian women used the horns gesture as a protective charm, not a satanic one.)
Another commenter:
“Cool! I didn’t know it’s such an old symbol!”
1. What is the “devil’s hand signal”?
People often call the Sign of the Horns (🤘) the “devil hand sign,” but:
- Historically, it is NOT satanic.
- It comes from Mediterranean folk tradition as a gesture to ward off evil (not summon it).
- In modern times, it became popular in rock and heavy metal culture thanks to Ronnie James Dio.
- Some people interpret it as a “devil horns” symbol, but that’s a pop-culture meaning, not a real occult or religious one.
So the “devil’s hand signal” is mostly a myth created by movies, metal concerts, and conspiracy theories.
2. What does the 🤟 hand gesture mean?
🤟 = “I love you” in American Sign Language (ASL).
It combines:
- 🤘 (horns shape)
- ✋ (sign for “Y”)
to form the ASL “I-L-Y” handshape.
It has nothing to do with Satanism, the devil, or occult symbols.
3. What is the meaning of 🤘🤘?
🤘🤘 usually means:
- “Rock on!”
- “Metal!”
- Excitement at concerts
- A hype or rebellious vibe
- Sometimes used jokingly to look “edgy”
It doesn’t mean anything satanic, magical, or ritualistic.
4. Does 🤘 mean “ILY”?
No.
- 🤘 = “rock on,” the horns sign, or excitement
- 🤟 = “I love you” in ASL
People sometimes confuse them because they look similar.
Quick Summary
| Gesture | Meaning | Not Satanic? |
|---|---|---|
| 🤘 | Rock/metal, excitement, “horns” | ✔️ Not satanic in origin |
| 🤟 | ASL “I love you” | ✔️ Absolutely not |
| 🤘🤘 | Double excitement, metal fandom | ✔️ Not satanic |
| “Devil’s hand sign” | Pop-culture name for 🤘 | ✔️ Myth, not a real occult sign |
Final Thought about Satanic Hand Signs
In our ceremonies, we confidently raise these gestures. For us there is no doubt about their power – they function like any sacred sign in other religions. We use these signs in every satanic ritual, and they’re a natural part of our satanic practices. Even if outsiders find them strange, we know they are tools for focus and devotion.
Today people are more curious about our ways. The Satanic Temple even published The Devil’s Tome, a guide to modern ritual which “brings light to what is often a hidden and misunderstood practice,” explaining how each of these satanic hand signs is used in ritual. There are books demystifying satanic rituals that explain how these hand signs fit into our ceremonies. For us, these satanic hand signs are as much a part of ritual practice as any chant or symbol. Understanding them helps more people see our faith as real and vital.
