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Research draft

hand

vr.tr.hand-q1574285 · thing-q1574285

Let an agent handle the hand as a represented motif by context, meaning and culture, separate from the anatomical hand.

Thing Registry Information and virtual systems INF.MED

Research draft, second pass

A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.

Researched by: Claude

Bundle → Layer → Finding → QuestionsClassifiersWhat it isWhy it existsDistinguishing featuresWhat robots and AI may and may not doMoral aspectsOwnersLinks to other meta-modelsIdentity and identifiersDirect propertiesRecognitionCapabilities and actionsHazards and failure modesStandards and interfacesContext of useSources

Bundle → Layer → Finding → Questions Filled

4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions

Motif Which hand symbol.

Form

Gesture or pose.

Form

Form.

  1. Which gesture or pose is shown? definition
  2. Left or right hand? definition

Context

Art, religion, heraldry.

Context

Context.

  1. In what context does it appear? definition
  2. Which culture? provenance
Meaning Interpretation.

Symbolism

Associations.

Symbolism

Symbolism.

  1. What does the symbol mean in this culture, according to which source? provenance
  2. Has its meaning changed? provenance

Offence

Cross-cultural.

Offence

Cross-cultural meaning.

  1. Could the gesture be offensive in some places? boundary
  2. Where? provenance
History Origins.

Rock art

Hand stencils.

Rock art

Rock art.

  1. How old are hand stencils at this site, according to dating? measurement
  2. How were they made? definition

Heraldry

Charges.

Heraldry

Heraldic hands.

  1. How is the hand blazoned? definition
  2. Which arms bear it? provenance
Senses Disambiguation.

Anatomy

Body part.

Anatomy

Anatomical sense.

  1. Is the anatomical hand meant instead? boundary
  2. Which entry fits? action

Misuse

Appropriated symbols.

Misuse

Appropriated symbols.

  1. Has the symbol been appropriated by extremist groups? boundary
  2. How should that be described neutrally? action

Classifiers Filled

Family
Thing Registry
Category
Information and virtual systems
Entry kind
thing
Plane
INF
Domain
INF.MED

What it is Filled

The hand as a depicted motif and symbol in art, religion, heraldry and communication, such as praying hands, the open hand, raised fists, hand prints in rock art and hands in coats of arms.

Why it exists Filled

Let an agent handle the hand as a represented motif by context, meaning and culture, separate from the anatomical hand.

Distinguishing features Filled

  • Represented, not anatomical
  • Meaning depends on culture and context
  • Among the oldest human symbols
  • Some gestures are offensive in some places

What robots and AI may and may not do Filled

Must not

  • Misrepresent a hand gesture's meaning in a way that labels people falsely.
  • Use sacred hand symbols disrespectfully.
  • Copy protected artwork with hand motifs as one's own.

Only with a human decision

  • Labelling a person's gesture as a hate symbol in public.

May

  • Describe hand motifs, their meanings and history with sources.
  • Identify hand symbols in art and heraldry.

Moral aspects Filled

  • Some hand gestures have been adopted as hate symbols while also having innocent uses.
  • Rock art hand prints are heritage of indigenous communities.

Who is affected

  • Religious and indigenous communities
  • People depicted
  • Artists

Owners Filled

Steward

Nobody owns the motif; artists and rights holders own particular works.

Links to other meta-models Filled

parent

  • Q16457828 - registry parent class

related

  • hand (anatomy) - subject
  • symbol and motif - category
  • art and coat of arms - contexts
  • gesture - communication

What else AI and robots need to interact with it Filled

Identity and identifiers required Filled

  • Vercy registry: vr.tr.hand-q1574285
  • Wikidata: Q1574285 (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1574285)

Direct properties not applicable Not applicable

Not applicable

Plane INF: no invented physical properties.

Recognition optional Filled

  • Gestures such as open palm or raised fist
  • Religious symbols such as the hamsa
  • Heraldic hands (dexter or sinister)
  • Depicted hands in paintings, sculptures, emblems, amulets and rock art.

Capabilities and actions required Filled

  • interpret hand symbols in context
  • identify hand motifs in art and heraldry
  • avoid gestures offensive in some cultures
  • study rock art hand prints

Hazards and failure modes required Filled

  • Misreading gestures across cultures
  • Confusing symbols with extremist uses

Standards and interfaces required Filled

  • Laws on banned extremist symbols in some countries

Context of use required Filled

  • Symbolising blessing, protection, power, greeting or identity.
  • religious hand symbols
  • political hand symbols
  • heraldic hands
  • rock art hand stencils
  • hand gestures in signage

Sources Filled

  1. Wikidata item Q1574285: hand - identity and sense of the item
  2. Wikipedia (de): Hand (Heraldik) - general description of the item

Open questions

  • Should hand symbols be separate entries?
  • How should cultural meanings be sourced?
  • How should the anatomical sense be linked?

Machine files

Card as JSON Specification Card backlog vercy.card/1

Provenance

thing registry research (pass 2) · unreviewed

Built from: models/things/publications/thing-q1574285/spec.json