The three general time signs — morning, noon, and night — are iconic in their compositions. The position of the arms for these signs relates closely to the sun's movements as it rises and sets. When holding your left arm stationary in front of you, imagine your arm to be the horizon. The sun comes peeking over the horizon in the morning. At noon, the sun shines down from directly overhead, and at night, the sun disappears again down below the horizon.

DAY: Hold your right arm vertical, palm facing left. Rest your right elbow on the back of the fingertips of your left arm. Bring the right arm slowly down to rest on the left arm. Variation: This sign can be made with either the “flat” hand or the “D” hand.

To sign “morning,” hold your left arm horizontal and move your right “flat” hand up slightly, palm inward, in front of your left arm. Visualize the sun rising up over the horizon. “Noon” or “afternoon” is signed this way: hold your right arm vertical, “flat” hand palm forward. Rest your right elbow on the back of the fingertips of your left arm. And finally, to sign “night” or “evening,” hold your left arm horizontal. Move your right “flat” hand over and down slightly, palm inward, in front of your left arm. Visualize the sun going down into the horizon.

LATE, NOT YET: Place the “flat” hand near your waist, palm facing back, and push back.

ONCE IN AWHILE, SOMETIMES: To sign “once in awhile” or “sometimes,” swipe the index finger of your “one” hand on your left palm twice.

YEAR: Circle your right “S” hand forward and around your left “S” hand, and rest it on the top of your left hand.

NEVER: Move the “flat” hand, palm facing left, in a downward movement in the shape of a question mark.