Brave, Strong, Courage

“Strong has three signs: Brave, Muscular, Way Ahead.” Scott

Very hungry or strong hunger.

Strong Heart

I have included several variations of this sign. All are similar but slightly different.

 Sign: heart strong.

Many use this sign for both brave and strong.-Clark

I have included important to this sign although I can find no references for doing so.

I believe there is no other gesture used by Indians who are thoroughly conversant with the sign language that is as flexible and possesses as much strength and character as this, for when added to other signs it intensifies their descriptive powers wonderfully, adds to many the superlative, gives heroic character to bravery, arrant cowardice to timidity, makes an ordinary meal a feast, and of a fast starvation; pleasure becomes bliss, and care most bitter sorrow. Pointing to a man and making this sign would convey to an Indian's mind the idea that he was brave, fearless, and this to them is the highest, most perfect virtue, and creates no only respect, but positive reverence. The gesture, is a rule, is used in this sense, but at times to express opposite or antagonistic ideas. If an Indian visited another tribe, was feasted, given ponies, robes, arms, and other presents, he might finish the description with this sign:

"He had a brave time;" and Dull Knife, the Cheyenne chief, used it when he told me of his escape from Fort Robinson, and subsequent journey of eighteen days in an arctic climate with only one blanket and a few rosebuds and snow to eat —"brave" hardships surely. A good time becomes royal, a bad time tastes strongly of wretchedness.

A boy is a swift runner, add this sign, and it intensifies the idea of his fleetness.

An old man walks slowly, add this sign, and it conveys the impression that he can only drag his limbs along. This sign is used as frequently with other gestures as it is by itself; it is added to others to complete, perfect, and strengthen them. —W.P. Clark

Alternatively strong:

 Physically strong. Variations of this sign below:

"The sign for strong expresses the superlative when used with other signs; with coward it denotes a base coward; with hunger, starvation; and with sorrow, bitter sorrow. I have not seen it used with the sign for pleasure or that of hunger, nor can I learn that it is ever used with them."—Mallery

Example: beautiful is signed pretty brave.

Absaroka I, Shoshone, Banak. Place the fist against the chest.

Strike the chest gently. Wyandot I

Apache I

To go before. 

“The sign is of frequent use to express bravery. For instance, a large party of Pawnees went to war; then make sign for any particular one, and then the foregoing sign. This would indicate that he went in advance, rode before all others, fearless of danger.

Thus this little sign might convey a higher tribute to dauntless courage than many long eulogies; for a party might pass through a country thick with danger and death, and he who should go single-handed in the midst of it would be worthy of the highest praise so generously given in their Indian songs, and this is a reward rich in honor according to their views of the matter.” Indian Sign Language, W.P. Clark