Visible embodiment, simulated action: iconicity of the Taoist hand seals from a cognitive perspective

Abstract The hand seals of Tianshi Taoism are iconic gestures with distinctive semiotic features. This study presents a cognitive and semiotic classification of the 68 current hand seals used in Celestial Master Daoism (Tian Shi Sect). The research examines the manifestation of various types of iconic representation, including acting , representing , and drawing , in the hand gestures of Tianshi Taoism. In addition, this study integrates relevant semiotic theories to conduct an in-depth semantic analysis of the specific referential meanings of hand seals. The study reveals that: (1) the distribution of semantic categories in gestural signs corresponds to various iconic representations, (2) there is a marked preference for the types of iconic representations in Tianshi Taoist hand seals, and (3) according to Peirce’s trichotomy of the sign, the semiotic modes of hand seals are predominantly icon and symbol, with only a few examples of index. Religious and cultural factors influence the choice of iconic representations in gestural signs, particularly concerning symbol in Peirce’s trichotomy. These results enhance our understanding of iconicity and provide valuable insights and evidence for future research, serving as a bridge facilitating the integration of gesture studies at the intersection of cognitive linguistics and semiotics.