Hand Seal

are used to create many Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, and other secret arts other than Taijutsu. There are different sequences of hand seals for every technique, requiring memorization. While techniques may require a number of hand seals to work, a skilled ninja can use less or even one to perform the same technique. An example of this is the Water Release: Water Dragon Blast Technique, which requires a total of 42 hand seals to activate. Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage, however, just needed to use one hand seal to complete the technique, a testament to his skill.

Basic Seals
There are twelve basic seals, each one named after an animal of the Chinese zodiac.


 * , often used in the Nara Clan's Shadow Jutsus
 * , as the last seal of the sequence, it is indicative of Fire Release jutsu
 * , as the last seal of the sequence, it is indicative of Earth Release jutsu. It is also used at the end of Wood Release jutsu, likely because that uses Earth nature chakra, together with Water nature chakra
 * , often used in Ice Release by Yukigakure ninja
 * , as the last seal of the sequence, it is indicative of Earth Release jutsu. It is also used at the end of Wood Release jutsu, likely because that uses Earth nature chakra, together with Water nature chakra
 * , often used in Ice Release by Yukigakure ninja
 * , often used in Ice Release by Yukigakure ninja
 * , often used in Ice Release by Yukigakure ninja
 * , often used in Ice Release by Yukigakure ninja
 * , often used in Ice Release by Yukigakure ninja
 * , often used in Ice Release by Yukigakure ninja

Other Hand seals
Besides the twelve basic hand seals, there are unique hand seals used for certain techniques. These hand seals are rarely seen, and can be considered unique to specific jutsu. Examples are the seals used for Haku's Demonic Ice Crystal Mirrors, the seal used for the Yamanaka clan's Mind Body Switch Technique, and the seal used for the Shadow Clone Technique.