Line #41 Main/MagicalGesture


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7	[[quoteright:260:[[ComicBook/DoctorStrange https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/stange_handsign_4049.jpg]]]]
8	[[caption-width-right:260:More than just a [[{{pun}} Strange]] gesture.]]
9
10	->''[Goku raises his hands up.]''\
11	'''Freeza:''' What are you doing?\
12	'''Goku:''' ''[thinking to himself]'' I have to use the Spirit Bomb! It's my only chance!\
13	'''Freeza:''' Seriously what... what is this all about? Are you trying to tell me you once caught a fish that big?\
14	'''Goku:''' I'm just... stretching.\
15	'''Freeza:''' In the middle of a fight?\
16	'''Goku:''' ...yes!
17	-->-- ''WebVideo/DragonBallZAbridged''
18
19	Any physical activity required for magic, ranging from simply pointing at the target up to day-long ritual dances.
20
21	At its simplest, this is just [[RuleOfPerception a way of showing the wizard is actually doing stuff]]. They will point at the target, wave their hand around to move it, and close their fist to crush it. Moving up a step, some types of spell require precise gestures to work, leading to wizards with very nimble fingers as well as [[SquishyWizard an excuse for them not to wear armor]] involving the restriction of mobility. The precise gestures have to be memorized as part of the spell.
22
23	The more time-intensive forms of RitualMagic also often require magical gestures: stir the cauldron nine times widdershins, point the sword at each compass point in turn.
24
25	If the action isn't simply a gesture, but a heavily physical action, then it's FullContactMagic. Set it to rhythm and you have MagicDance.
26
27	{{Supertrope}} to HandSeals.
28
29	Compare with the PstandardPsychicPstance. Contrast GeometricMagic (spells come from shapes), LanguageOfMagic (spells come from words), and PowersDoTheFighting (spells don't give a damn about gesticulation). See also BadassFingerSnap, when magic isn't necessarily involved for some interesting effect. Contrast IdiosyncraticCulturalGesture.
30
31	[[noreallife]]
32	----
33	!!Examples
34
35	[[foldercontrol]]
36
37	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
38	* A handful of characters in ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'', most notably Captain Byakuya Kuchiki. When he activates his [[DeathOfAThousandCuts Bankai]], he doesn't ''have'' to use the gestures and such to control the storm of blades, but he states that it ''does'' help, and increase his speed. Kido spells also involve hand gestures, with some having more than one gesture that will work.
39	* Most signature attacks in ''Manga/{{Dragonball}}'' involve some unique gestures -- the most famous being the Spirit Bomb (hands upraised to collect spirit energy before bringing them down to drop the bomb) and the Kamehameha (hands cupped to the side to gather ki before thrusting them forward).
40	* Many wizards, especially those who use Maker Magic, in ''Manga/FairyTail'' utilize these. While nearly everybody in the series uses FullContactMagic as well, gestures are often used for more powerful magic, like Makarov's Fairy Law or [[spoiler: Zeref's attack to kill Hades.]]
41	* ''Manga/GaRei'' -- Releasing Byakuei's seal requires a certain hand gesture.[[labelnote:*]]Clasp fingers together with the heels of both palms touching, then touch the tips of each pointer finger together.[[/labelnote]] Kagura's actually put out of action because [[spoiler:her hands are shot and she can't make the seal.]]
42	* In ''VideoGame/HarukanaruTokiNoNakaDe'', Tenma, Inori, Shimon, and Tomomasa use specific mudras for performing attacks; for the first three characters these are single gestures taken from ''kuji-kiri'' ("pyou", "tou" and "sha", respectively). In the anime series, [[UsefulNotes/{{Onmyodo}} Yasuaki]] performs a full-blown ''kuji-kiri'' sequence along with the required [[AsianRuneChant mantras]].
43	* In ''Manga/{{Inuyasha}}'', Kikyo, Kaede, and Miroku use what seem to be a mudra (Kapittaka? Pran? First two fingers straight out, next two curled, with the thumb touching the top of the third finger) when focusing their spiritual powers.
44	* ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' has hand seals. Influenced, if not completely derived from, Kuji-Kiri and mudras. Shikamaru's concentration gesture is a mudra.
45	* Trafalgar Law is one of the few ''Manga/OnePiece'' characters who does this. He has a couple of very distinctive gestures for creating his 'room' and controlling things inside it. It appears as though he actually needs his hands, if not the gestures themselves, to use his ability effectively.
46	* Spells in ''Literature/{{Slayers}}'' involve complex gestures manipulating glowy magical energy. For example, the Flare Arrow spell needs a gesture like firing an imaginary bow (and, indeed, a glowing bow made of fire appears during the casting of the spell).
47	[[/folder]]
48
49	[[folder:Arts]]
50	* Art/SistineChapel: God stretches his finger out to touch the fingertips of the first man as part of his creation. It's evident that God has his eyes laser-focused on this finger as if He's channeling His thought through it and into the first man, who will only now receive the spark of life.
51	[[/folder]]
52
53	[[folder:Comic Books]]
54	* As shown in the page image, ComicBook/DoctorStrange uses particular positions of his hands to cast spells. He often holds one or both hands up with the middle and ring fingers folded inward (c.f. the "I Love You" gesture or the "Metal Horns").
55	* The ComicBook/ScarletWitch has a similar gesture to activate her [[WindsOfDestinyChange probability-altering]] powers. In fact, in the early days, if she accidentally made the gesture, random misfortune would happen to whoever was in its general direction without her intending.
56	* ComicBook/SabrinaTheTeenageWitch's gesture varies DependingOnTheWriter. Sometimes she tugs her earlobe, sometimes she points her index finger (as seen in [[Series/SabrinaTheTeenageWitch the live-action TV show]]), sometimes she snaps her fingers.
57	[[/folder]]
58
59	[[folder:Fan Works]]
60	* ''Fanfic/DungeonKeeperAmi'': In the third chapter, the Horned Reaper's fireball spell is mentioned to need specific motions to work:
61	--> he could unleash a fireball in a pinch. Or would have been able to, had the ice not prevented him from going through the necessary motions.
62	* ''Fanfic/Plan7Of9FromOuterSpace''. A flashback scene shows a young Buster Kincaid piloting a giant mecha controlled by gestures. This causes him to destroy his helmet sensors while wiping sweat from his forehead, activate his JumpJetPack when he farts, and blast sticky foam from a [[PhallicWeapon groin-mounted riot cannon]] on [[JizzedInMyPants seeing an attractive woman]].
63	[[/folder]]
64
65	[[folder:Films — Animation]]
66	* The Genie from Disney's ''{{WesternAnimation/Aladdin}}'' makes all sorts of gestures. Sometimes they appear to be explicitly necessary for the magic he's casting, but other times it appears to be just plain showmanship.
67	* In ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed'', the red moon ritual requires a coin sword with a jewel in its hilt to be aligned with the moon and the forehead of the person undergoing the ritual.
68	[[/folder]]
69
70	[[folder:Film — Live-Action]]
71	* In ''Film/AbsolutelyAnything'', Neil is completely omnipotent. Unlike Bruce Almighty, however, whose powers are controlled by mere willpower, Neil actually has to state what he wants to happen and wave his right hand or it won't work.
72	* The title character in ''Film/BruceAlmighty'' has a habit of doing this whenever using his divine powers. Being near-omnipotent, he doesn't need to do them, he just does for fun.
73	* Played with in ''Film/DoctorStrange2016'' — Strange complains that he can't make the spellcasting finger moves because of the damage to his hands, and the Ancient One shows him that the gestures aren't really necessary — one of the masters is missing a hand but controls magic just fine.
74	* [[BigBad Nerissa]] from Disney's ''Film/{{Enchanted}}'' tended to wave her arms and then throw them up or outward as part of her incantation process.
75	* The witch seen in the opening scene of ''Film/NightWatch'' uses both incantations and magical gestures in her spells. To successfully complete her ritual to kill an unborn child, she '''needs''' to clap her hands together and they need to touch — when an object is interposed between her hands as she claps, the ritual fails.
76	* Parodied by ''Film/ScottPilgrimVsTheWorld'', where Gideon uses hand gestures that are suspiciously similar to Naruto to power up into his "ultimate form".
77	* ''Franchise/StarWars'':
78	** Using The Force. As with many examples, it's not absolutely necessary, but it helps with focus.
79	** The famous "mind control hand wave" gesture is [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] and mocked in ''Film/ThePhantomMenace'' when Qui-Gon tries it on an alien and it [[NoSell fails to work]]. ("What, you think you're some kind of Jedi, waving your hand around like that?")
80	[[/folder]]
81
82	[[folder:Literature]]
83	* Hand gestures are often used by sorcerers in ''Literature/TheBelgariad'', especially when using telekinesis. They aren't strictly necessary, they just help the user focus their will in the right direction. As such, making a "mystical hand gesture" quickly becomes a visual shorthand for doing sorcery. Ditto for most spellcasters in Eddings' other works. This is [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] by Belgarath, who makes a few snide remarks over the centuries about how Polgara feels the need to accompany every release of Will with an airy hand gesture.
84	* Magic in ''Literature/Birthright2017'' is performed with a series of gestures that range from hand signs, to full-body movements. The gestures are a language used to communicate with a goddess in order to ask for a desired spell, meaning they can get quite complex. This only applies to human magic; dragons are able to use their shapeshifting magic without any movements at all.
85	* Completely averted, but lampshaded in ''Literature/TheBlackMagicianTrilogy'', magicians are capable of using their powers as long as they are conscious and have a flicker of life left in them, and Sonea is advised that any good Warrior will not move his hands at all in battle, to avoid telegraphing his attacks.
86	* The Sartan from ''Literature/TheDeathGateCycle'' have to trace runes with their hands in midair for many of their spells (and trace other runes on the ground with their feet for some of the more powerful ones, lending a spellcasting Sartan the look of someone engaging in a bizarre interpretive dance routine). Their rivals the Patryn do this a little, but not as much (their runes are tattooed directly onto their bodies).
87	* ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'': {{Parodied\|Trope}} in ''Literature/InterestingTimes'', when Rincewind makes the finger gesture that's described as the traditional one used to banish demons. As it turns out, [[FlippingTheBird it's the same gesture used to banish people, too]].
88	* In ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'', magic ''can'' be done without motions, words, or anything else but their use is still quite common. In general intention and emotion are very important when casting spells, so at least some wizards attach the use of words in a langues they don't speak to spells (Harry uses a few different Italian and Spanish words, for example). Of course many of the Wizards we see in action taught, learned alongside or were taught by Harry to some extent, so it's not entirely clear how standard this for others.
89	** Harry's was also taught that the right hand is used to project energy, while the left hand draws in energy, although again it's somewhat unclear how much of this is mental and how much is required. Given that his main mentor, Ebenezar, literally wrote the White Council's textbook on introductory magic, it's probably very common for wizards to practice this even if it's ''not'' mandatory.
90	** Conversely, ''Literature/ColdDays'' describes how for the Fae, their magic is bound into their actions; for them, movement itself is magical, and their [[MagicDance dancing even more so]].
91	* ''Literature/{{Elcenia}}'': Elcenian wizardry uses gestures to channel specific amounts of power; every spell that uses the same amount of magic uses the same gesture. Leekath explains in ''Blood'' [[spoiler:when Talyn gives her an unprecedented channeling capacity of ''a thousand'']] that power-pull gestures seem to be an inherent fact of the universe, and mostly systematic with exceptions called "Voyan numbers" -- gestures up to 599 are at this point theoretically known about but have never been tested for Voyan numbers, and nobody yet knows how to cast at levels of 600 or more.
92	* Spellcasting, at least as done by Styrics and by extension the Church Knights in ''Literature/TheElenium'', is mentioned as requiring highly specific (though undescribed) gestures as a key component. It is not mentioned if the magic of the followers of other gods requires anything similar.
93	* The setting of ''Literature/TheEyeInTheStone'' uses and explains this. Magic works by manipulating a many-dimensional lattice of energies which underlie reality. All movement disturbs this lattice, but movement entirely within "normal" spacetime only causes the magic known as physics. The older races born before planets (the setting is sort of a softer Lovecraft) simply exist and move in a different set of dimensions, which may overlap ours. Mages in some way have become connected to or "sponsored" by such beings, which provides the needed extras to work magic. Spells can include physical props and rituals, or just consist of carefully-derived sets of incantation and gesture (whose movement and sound waves help create vibrations within the Lattice). It ''is'' possible to cast a spell "in your head" — but this is directly connected to clearly visualizing yourself performing the ritual, as the visualization is itself a form of physical movement through other dimensions, and can be perceived as such by others. You can cast two spells at once if you're good at doing it both ways, and having more than two arms (or probably tentacles, though that doesn't come up) is an advantage.
94	* In ''Literature/HarryPotter'', spells requires precise gestures with the wand.
95	** In ''[[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheHalfBloodPrince The Half-Blood Prince]]'' (the sixth book), the making of a particular potion requires it to be stirred clockwise. But the notes of the Half-Blood Prince say it's faster if you stir 1 time counterclockwise for each 7 clockwise.
96	** This is seen in the [[Literature/HarryPotterAndThePhilosophersStone first book]] as well, when Hermione describes the proper method for [[ChekhovsSkill Wingardium Leviosa]].
97	** Supplementary materials reveal that African wizards don't even need wands; the hand gestures are enough. It has also been noted that exceptionally skilled and powerful wizards, such as Voldemort and Dumbledore, can cast spells without the use of wands; the use of a wand just makes magic easier.
98	* Spellcasting in the ''Literature/HeraldsOfValdemar'' books typically requires some physical gesturing, though more experienced mages go for subtle movements, leaving the grand sweeping gestures for beginners and showoffs.
99	* While ''Literature/JakubWedrowycz'' usually uses RitualMagic to do his exorcisms, he knows more than a few magical gestures as well, and taught some to his grandson. They can do things like allowing you to throw something at the annoying news anchor on TV, or bringing sexual impotence upon someone.
100	* In ''Literature/TheLuckOfRelianKru'', all the sorcerers need double-jointed fingers to perform the gestures.
101	* In ''Literature/TheMagicians'', complex gestures are essential to performing magic; in fact, when [[spoiler:Penny has his hands bitten off by Martin Chatwin, he's rendered incapable of magic]].
102	** The sequel reveals that [[spoiler:Penny eventually found a way around this by utilizing a form of magic based on subtle muscle movements]].
103	* Discussed and Averted in ''Literature/{{Mistborn}}''. [[{{Whatevermancy}} Allomany]] doesn't require any gestures, but Steel and Iron allomancers, who can telekinetically Push or Pull on pieces of metal, often throw their hands out when using their powers. When an inexperienced Vin gestures at a piece of metal she is pushing, Kelsier explicitly notes that it is unnecessary, and potentially disadvantageous as it signals your intent. Despite this it's still fairly common even among people who should know better, likely because it feels like the appropriate thing to do in the heat of the moment.
104	* In the ''Literature/OldKingdom'' series, Charter Magic is done by drawing the signs on the air, with hands or with sword-tip. A diamond of protection (a must-have when exploring Death) is drawn with one's sword. Using the magical bells requires gestures (different ways of ringing will produce different effects), so this all crosses over into RitualMagic.
105	* In ''Literature/ThePowderMageTrilogy'', Privileged (the rarest and most powerful kind of mage) have expansive ElementalPowers that they manipulate using elaborate hand gestures — the main hand is used to pull in magical energy from the Else, and the off hand directs that energy for specific tasks. Privileged need to wear special gloves while doing this to protect their hands from the dangers of directly handling the magical energy, although some of the eldest and most powerful don't need them [[spoiler:and for some reason neither does Nila, despite her inexperience]]. Of course, a side-effect of all this is that a Privileged is effectively BroughtDownToNormal if their hands are crippled or severed, and even simply losing their gloves severely limits their abilities, since the gloves are quite rare and must be mad.
106	* ''Literature/TheScholomance'': Gestures aren't shown to be a common element of spells, but one of the nastiest spells in El's arsenal requires a fiddly hand gesture and [[MagicMisfire kills the user]] if it's performed incorrectly.
107	* ''Literature/SplitHeirs'': Hydrangean spells are mentioned to use gestures sometimes.
108	* ''Literature/SweetAndBitterMagic'': Tamsin makes a sweeping gesture over where people are afflicted to cast spells which heal them.
109	* ''Literature/TheToughGuideToFantasyland'': These are commonly used in spellcasting, as the Management realizes that if not Tourists might be unaware when magic is being done. Consequently, wizards wave their hands around a lot.
110	* Hand gestures are used in ''Literature/ToughMagic'' to help direct the spells, most commonly seen in incuels.
111	* Interesting example in the later books in ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime''. Aes Sedai have done many handing-downs of techniques been including gestures to the casting to make them easier to cast. The result is that many younger Aes Sedai cannot cast the techniques without them.
112	** Played with even further. Some people claim to be able to tell which Aes Sedai a channeler learned techniques from, simply by the motions. While the Aiel Wise Ones, as well as the Sea Folk Windfinders, can do the techniques without the motions. As such, they are much more efficient and much quicker.
113	* Magic in the world of ''Franchise/TheWitcher'' is usually harnessed through gestures and incantations, but the latter part can be skipped, and the former can be performed with, say, a leg. The titular Witchers' Signs are a specific example of this, spells encoded into a simple gesture. The simplicity of casting is a double-edged sword, greatly limiting their flexibility and scope, but paying immense dividends in practicality that gives a versatility all of its own. (Why carry flint and steel when Agni can light up a torch as easily as a bandit?)
114	[[/folder]]
115
116	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
117	* In ''Series/{{Bewitched}}'', Samantha Stevens has her famous nose wiggle.
118	* In ''Series/Charmed1998'', binding witches' hands to their backs often makes them unable to use their powers, even if some have learned to "point" with the eyes instead.
119	* In ''Series/EmeraldCity'', part of Mombi's process for making Tip's medication involves reciting an incantation over the mixture while making various hand gestures.
120	* The powers in ''Series/{{Heroes}}'' and its follow-up ''Series/HeroesReborn'' are usually accompanied by subtle gestures. Sylar slices heads open by using his finger as a sort of psychic scalpel; Hiro teleports, time travels and freezes time by scrunching up his face and closing his eyes; Creator/GregGrunberg described psychic cop Matt Parkman as having "the power of leaning".
121	* In ''Series/H2OJustAddWater'', Cleo, Rikki and Emma each have a different water-based power accompanied by a unique magical gesture, which physically correlate to each power. Cleo manipulates water by rotating her hand, Rikki boils it by slowly making a fist, and Emma pushes her flat palm towards water to freeze it. In Season 2, Charlotte gains all three powers, and uses both hands to manipulate it. In Season 3, Bella twists her wrist with her fingers outstretched to turn water into gelatinous and crystalline substances.
122	* In ''Series/IDreamOfJeannie'', Jeannie crosses her arms and nods her head, then blinks.
123	* In ''Series/LabRats'', Chase gets mocked for holding his index/middle fingers to his temple while using his bionics. Since his powers are mostly scanning and wireless communication, physically unremarkable, makes him look silly to onlookers.
124	* ''Series/TheMagicians2016'': The series is famous for using extremely complex hand and finger gestures in its magic. This of course is a holdover [[Literature/TheMagicians from the book series]], but it's more impressive since the actors actually have to learn all the proper gestures. It also leads to a rather funny scene when Penny and Kady meet a deaf magician who signs to them, and Penny instinctively ducks like she pulled out a gun.
125	* In ''Series/Merlin1998'', magical gestures are said to be used by intermediate wizards, called Hand Wizards. Stronger wizards could use magic without gestures, while weaker ones had to rely on [[MagicalIncantation words and incantations]]. Merlin himself is an intermediate wizard.
126	* ''Franchise/StarTrek'' RealityWarper Q sometimes gestures or [[BadassFingersnap snaps his fingers]] (finger-snapping became more and more common as time went on) but it's purely for drama's sake. Other members of the Q Continuum use other gestures, such as Amanda Roger, a human-borne Q who waves her hands; and the Q from the ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'' episode "Death Wish", who raises two fingers upward.
127	** In one instance of Q appearing on the ''Enterprise'', Guinan raises her hands in a defensive gesture which hints that she may have some ability to repel Q's powers (though she can't stop him from flinging the ''Enterprise'' across 7,000 light-years of space).
128	* Played with in the famous ''Series/TheTwilightZone1959'' episode "[[Recap/TheTwilightZoneS3E73ItsAGoodLife It's a Good Life]]", about a young boy who terrorizes his small town with his RealityWarper powers, especially his power to whisk people away to a place where no one can escape from or be found, the Cornfield. While he can make things happen simply by thinking about it (making food appear, changing the weather, etc.), he points and glares menacingly at his specific victims.
129	* ''Series/{{Ultraman}}'': To use [[FinishingMove the Specium Ray]], Ultraman has to cross his arms at the wrist, left arm horizontal and right arm vertical (thus a common nickname for the attack, "the Forearm Beam").
130	[[/folder]]
131
132	[[folder:Manhwa]]
133	* ''Manhwa/{{Yureka}}'': These are necessary to cast certain spells (such as crossing one's arms to erect a shield or holding the fingers a certain way while casting a blessing) and used instinctually in other cases (pointing or waving a hand to where the spell should go or lobbing a {{Fireball\|s}})
134	[[/folder]]
135
136	[[folder:Newspaper Comics]]
137	* ComicStrip/MandrakeTheMagician casts his illusions by gesturing with his hands at his target — almost inevitably accompanied by a caption box reading [[SignatureLine "Mandrake gestures hypnotically..."]]
138	[[/folder]]
139
140	[[folder:Roleplay]]
141	* In ''Roleplay/DawnOfANewAgeOldportBlues'', Sebastian needs to perform specific gestures with his hands in order to command the [[CastingAShadow shadows]] under his control.
142	[[/folder]]
143
144	[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
145	* Though gestures are not necessarily needed to cast a spell for most practitioners of hermetic magic in ''TabletopGame/ArsMagica'', there is a penalty for not using gestures or using only subtle gestures. Certain virtues remove this penalty in specific cases, or outright.
146	* In ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'', any edition that specifies the need or lack of need for these calls them "somatic components". Generally, somatic components for arcane spells need to be so precise that armor, or at least too much armor, will get in the way, while for divine spells, as long as you can move at all, you're good to go.
147	** Then there are feats and prestige classes that allow an arcane caster to bypass many of these limitations.
148	* ''TabletopGame/TheFantasyTrip: In The Labyrinth'' has specific rules governing Magical Gestures. Basically, the smarter a wizard is, the less he has to move to cast a given spell. (This particular game also enforces {{Squishy Wizard}}s by ruling that ferrous metals interfere with magic, meaning no steel armor or weapons.)
149	* In standard ''TabletopGame/{{GURPS}}'' magic, the better you know a spell, the less moving around and speaking you have to do to cast it. (Casting time is also affected: a bad spellcaster takes double the listed time, and has to dance around and shout to get the spell to work.)
150	* ''TabletopGame/MageTheAwakening'' has mudras for rotes (codified spells as opposed to improvised ones). Rotes ''do'' require the mudras (which can be hand gestures, facial gestures, body postures, breath control or tattoos) because they act as a mnemonic for remembering the complex imago (imaginary image of a spell's effects and mechanics) of a codified spell.
151	** ''TabletopGame/ChangelingTheDreaming's'' bunks. A changeling can do just about any kind of magical effect (stats permitting) as long as they can do a bunk that makes it "possible".
152	*** Bunks, however, are a bit more complex. A bunk is something to make the magic work which the Changeling recognizes is silly and needless, but it makes the magic easier because the Dreaming runs on ClapYourHandsIfYouBelieve and fantasy tropes. So a simple bunk for the Sovereign Art (magic of rulership and leadership) might be speaking in an imperious, feigned accent, while an extremely powerful bunk might involve gathering your whole court, having your retainers strip you of all your regalia, kneeling before your mother's sword, swearing eternal vengeance on the enemy you are casting the magic on, then having your son bring you an iron knife with which you give yourself a permanent scar across the cheek before having your retainers return your regalia while declaring their loyalty to you and the justice of your cause.
153	[[/folder]]
154
155	[[folder:Video Games]]
156	* Mages in ''VideoGame/{{Aetolia}}'' can [[ItemCrafting craft]] enchanted items, but doing so requires specific rituals involving magical gestures such as ringing a bell, waving one's arms, flipping a coin, lighting a candle, spinning around, and "squaring the circle"[[note]]the impossible geometric task of creating a square with the same area as a given circle using a limited number of steps with only a compass and straightedge[[/note]].
157	* In ''VideoGame/ArxFatalis'', you the player cast spells via mouse gestures.
158	* For an RPG character in an SNES game, Magus from ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'' pulls off some fairly elaborate hand gestures during his magic attacks.
159	* Some of the ninja in ''VideoGame/DeadOrAlive'', such as Ayane, utilize hand symbols in their magic. In fact, Ayane and Kasumi, who both use these, became {{Canon Immigrant}}s to Ninja Gaiden, mentioned above.
160	* ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion'' featured three main gestures: open palms pushed forward for touch based spells, a throw gesture for ranged spells, and a closed fist held high for on-self spells. Oddly, there was no discernible difference to a spell's effect if this was done one-handed, two-handed, or carrying a weapon.
161	* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'':
162	** In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'', [[PowersAsPrograms magic is commonplace]], so most characters just throw up their hands when they cast a spell. [[LegacyCharacter Cid]], on the other hand, goes into a full-on onmyoji routine during his incantations.
163	** In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'', the Ninja job class uses HandSeals called "mudra" to execute ninjutsu techniques. There are three gestures: "Ten", "Chi", and "Jin", correlating respectively with "Heaven", "Earth", and "Man". The order and combination of these mudra evoke different effects, such as using "Chi" and "Ten" to summon fire, "Jin" and "Chi" to conjure lightning, or "Chi", "Jin", and "Ten" to harness wind and increase attack speeds.
164	** In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyTactics'', the charging animation for spells is raising both arms over the head until the spell is cast, singing MagicMusic is done with one arm raised in a dramatic gesture (while singing), and the MagicDance is pulled off by a combination of right arm raised, left arm raised, both arms raised, and [[SpectacularSpinning spinning in place]].
165	* In ''VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBlazingBlade'', all spell casters have hand motions before casting their spells. They only become more complicated-looking if the spellcaster becomes promoted.
166	* In the ''VideoGame/{{Hylics}}'' universe, magic is called "Gestures." In battle, the basic attack is a finger snap, while more powerful spells have more involved gestures.
167	* The Skull Kid in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask'' has a unique gesture of shaking his head, creating a rattling sound, when using the cursed power of [[EvilMask Majora's Mask]].
168	* In ''Franchise/MassEffect'', this is justified by saying that biotics ([[MindOverMatter telekinetics]]) use "a technique called 'physical mnemonics'; the biotic uses a physical gesture to cause the right neurons and eezo nodules to fire and create the desired effect."
169	* Ninpo in ''VideoGame/NinjaGaiden'' utilizes hand symbols.
170	* ''VideoGame/{{Nox}}'' features this when using magic. The player character automatically does them when you select which spell to cast, but each spell has a specific set of pictures of hand gestures pop up on the screen, and each even has it's own on-syllable spoken line, resulting in the character chanting as well as gesturing.
171	* Amaterasu, the sun goddess in wolf form in ''VideoGame/{{Okami}}'', uses her Celestial Brush with what appear to be precise movements of her tail.
172	* Various entries in the ''VideoGame/TalesSeries'' involve spellcasters that require gestures before they can launch their spells. Interrupting this gesture will often cancel out the spell.
173	* [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Flandre Scarlet]] from ''VideoGame/TouhouKoumakyouTheEmbodimentOfScarletDevil'' has the ability to [[PersonOfMassDestruction destroy anything]]. She never demonstrates it in-game (due to combat being directed by nonlethal spellcard rules), but supplementary materials reveal she uses it by summoning the target's central core that holds the object/person together into the palm of her hand, and crushing it.
174	[[/folder]]
175
176	[[folder:Webcomics]]
177	* In ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'', Elliot's (and by extension Ellen's) [[SupernaturalMartialArts "Tamashii Gekido"]] [[KamehameHadoken attack]] requires arm movement. This isn't readily apparent the [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2002-04-18 first]] [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2002-12-07 two]] times it is used, but becomes obvious when Elliot tries it [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2003-12-09 while tied up.]]
178	* Played with in ''Webcomic/MobPsycho100''. It's entirely possible to use telekinesis with little to no gesticulation. However, since most espers are either emotionally-stunted [[{{Manchild}} manchildren]] or ''literal'' children, most of them needlessly employ often silly-looking gestures out of an [[{{Chuunibyou}} immature desire to look cool]]. The worst offender is [[spoiler:Ritsu]], who borrows many of his from action anime.
179	* ''Webcomic/TheSilverEye'': Velvare/Bhatair does a specific hand motion touching his chest and the afflicted's face whenever he breaks Sylar's curse on someone. When his children try to break the curse they copy the motion but are unable to help those under it, though [[spoiler:Enel]] figures out a way to do so by touching the Silver Eye with one hand and the afflicted with the other.
180	[[/folder]]
181
182	[[folder:Web Original]]
183	* Many [=DPIs=] in ''Literature/{{Phaeton}}'' learn to bind their powers to movements to prevent themselves from using them by accident.
184	* ''WebVideo/QueerKidStuff'': Lindsay would make things appear/happen by snapping her fingers, followed by a flash cut.
185	* In ''Literature/ThroughTheMotions'', magic is cast by drawing symbols in the air with a magic wand, and then thrusting or flicking the magic wand toward the target.
186	* In the ''Literature/WhateleyUniverse'', Fey has done some hand movements so magical that it hurts other people to ''look at'' them.
187	** Although the "painful to look at" aspect may be specific to Ayla, rather than humanity in general, since ''Ayla and the Mad Scientist'' mentions that the same gesture that makes Ayla queasy just looking at it out of the corner of his eye goes completely unnoticed by anyone else.
188	[[/folder]]
189
190	[[folder:Western Animation]]
191	* In ''WesternAnimation/HeManAndTheMastersOfTheUniverse2021'', magic can be cast through various means. "Hand Witches" like Teela perform hand gestures called "tuts" to work their magic, though Teela [[SimplifiedSpellcasting doesn't need to]] when transformed into Sorceress.
192	* Much of the FakeInteractivity in ''WesternAnimation/LittleEinsteins'' involves performing various gestures to make on-screen magic happen.
193	* Sent up by the "Karate Island" episode of ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'', of all things. Looked at frame by frame, Sandy [[ShownTheirWork uses actual mudras rather than made-up symbols]].
194	* ''WesternAnimation/ThundarrTheBarbarian'': All of Ariel's spells require her to gesture with her hands over her head; therefore [[StandardFemaleGrabArea restraining her arms]] serves to incapacitate her.
195	* ''WesternAnimation/TreeFuTom'': The main character Tom cast spells by using various hand gestures and body movements. He finishes the spell by then calling out the spell's name.
196	[[/folder]]

Context Main / MagicalGesture