Fire Style Fireball Jutsu Hand Signs: The Ultimate Naruto Guide

Download Article

We’ve got all of the other hand signs in Naruto, too!

Co-authored by Marcus Pruitt, BS

Last Updated: September 11, 2025 Fact Checked

Download Article

Fireball Jutsu Hand Signs

|

What is the Fireball Jutsu?

|

Origin

|

Users

|

Trivia

|

All Jutsu Hand Signs

|

Video

The Fireball Jutsu is one of the most iconic jutsus in the Naruto franchise, and it isn’t hard to understand why. Being able to form a giant ball of fire from the depths of your breath is any anime fan's dream, and in this article, we explain how to do the hand signs for the Fireball Jutsu so you can feel like you are. Although you won’t be able to bring a giant fireball to life, we make sure you know everything you need to know about the Fireball Jutsu, from what it is to who can use it. Read on to up your Naruto knowledge!

Fireball Jutsu Hand Signs: An Overview

Snake: Interlock and bend your fingers in front of your chest.
Ram: Press your right hand to the bottom of the left; bend your ring and pinky fingers.
Monkey: Place your hands on top of each other with open palms touching.
Boar: Flip your hands and touch the heels of your palms together. Curl your fingers in.
Horse: Make fists, interlock your knuckles, and raise your 2 index fingers to meet.
Tiger: Make an upward-pointing gun shape with straight index and middle fingers.

Section 1 of 6:

How to Do Every Fireball Jutsu Hand Sign

Download Article

Bend your arms at a 90-degree angle, put your hands together, hold them in front of your chest, and bend your fingers in between each other to interlock them. This will form the Snake hand sign, which is the first sign needed for the Fireball Jutsu.^{[1]
X
Research source}
Fold the third and pinky fingers down on each hand, then press your hands together. When you press your hands together, put your right hand lower than your left so that your folded fingers are pressing into your left palm. This will form the Ram hand sign, which is the second sign needed to form the Fireball Jutsu.^{[2]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
Put your fingers together on both hands, then press your open palms together to form the Monkey sign. When you do, make sure the left hand is on top and the right hand is on the bottom. Place your left pinky in the gap between your right thumb and finger to complete the sign.^{[3]
X
Research source}
Fold your fingers into your palm, leaving ⅓ straightened on each finger to avoid making a fist. Press your thumb into your folded fingers, then point them all downward. As you point them, press your palms together to form the Boar sign, the 4th sign needed for the Fireball Jutsu.^{[4]
X
Research source}
Start by spreading your hands out with your palms facing you. Then, fold each finger but your index fingers into the palms. Lift the right hand slightly above the left, then interlock your hands at the finger gaps. As you do, press your index fingers and press your folded thumbs into their bases to form the Horse sign.^{[5]
X
Research source}
6
Tiger To form the Tiger sign, start by folding your hands together like you did to form the Snake sign. Then, press your index and middle fingers together on each hand, then face all four of them towards the sky. This will form the final hand sign needed for the Fireball Jutsu.
- Once you’ve done each jutsu handsign, grab your left or right hand and put your fingers around your mouth in the shape of a ring. Then, blow out of your mouth as you scream “Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!”
- If you want to stay true to the original Japanese name, scream “Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu!”

Section 2 of 6:

What is the Fireball Jutsu?

Download Article

The Fireball Jutsu is a jutsu that uses kneaded chakra to make a fireball. To perform the Fireball Jutsu, the user kneads chakra inside their body and converts it into fire before expelling it out of their mouth. When they expel the fire out of their mouth, it typically takes the form of a gigantic fireball until it hits its enemy, but in some cases, it is used like a continuous flamethrower. In orb form, the jutsu can create a giant crater in its wake.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- In Japanese, the Fireball Jutsu is summoned by saying Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu
- The size and scope of the Fireball Jutsu depend on how much chakra is used to produce it. The more chakra that’s used, the larger the Fireball Jutsu.
- Once the Fireball Jutsu hits its target, it engulfs them in flames.
- In some cases, the fingers are made into a ring to better cast and direct the jutsu, but not all the time.

Section 3 of 6:

Origin of the Fireball Jutsu

Download Article

Although the specific details of the jutsu’s creation remain a mystery, Kakashi Hatake claimed it was originally created by the Uchiha clan, quickly becoming one of their signature moves. The jutsu quickly became a staple in Uchiha culture after its creation, with the clan using it as a “coming of age” rite, meaning Uchiha wouldn’t be considered real men if they couldn’t cast it.^{[7]
X
Research source}

Section 4 of 6:

Who can use the Fireball Jutsu?

Download Article

The Fireball Jutsu can be used by Uchiha and Sharingan users. In the Naruto manga, the jutsu is known to be exclusive to Uchiha clan members, but the anime has shown characters like Kakashi Hatake and Aoba Yamashiro also using the flaming jutsu. Other people who have been shown using the Fireball Jutsu include:^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Uchiha Users:
  - Madara Uchiha
  - Fugaku Uchiha
  - Itachi Uchiha
  - Obito Uchiha
  - Sasuke Uchiha
- Non-Uchiha Users:
  - Aoba Yamashiro (Anime Only)
  - Ebisu (Anime Only)
  - Kakashi Hakate (Anime Only)
  - Hoki (Anime Only)
  - Suika (Anime Only)
  - Naruto Uzumaki (Only In-Game)
  - Raiga Kurosuki (Only In-Game)
- Want to find out which Naruto character you are? Take our wikiHow quiz here to find out.

Section 5 of 6:

Fireball Jutsu Trivia

Download Article

1
The kanji for Fireball Jutsu translates to “fireball” and other words when broken down. Directly translated, 火球 (the kanji for Fireball Jutsu) means “fireball.” Aside from that, though, the kanji is also used to refer to a bolide (a bright, exploding celestial object), a comet, and a shooting star.^{[9]
X
Research source}
2
Naruto has used the technique in games despite not being an Uchiha. In the video game Naruto Shippuden: Dragon Blade Chronicles, Naruto is granted a Dragon Blade that allows him to perform the Fireball Jutsu. In the game, the jutsu is called the Fire Shot, but it still takes on the look and feel of the Fireball Jutsu. This one’s especially wild, considering Naruto’s nature type is wind, not fire.^{[10]
X
Research source}
3
Some characters use different hand signs. In some instances of the Naruto anime, users of the Fireball Jutsu have used different hand signs to activate the jutsu, rather than the traditional six hand signs. For example, Itachi Uchiha only used the Boar, Horse, and Tiger hand signs to activate the Fireball Jutsu during his battle against Kakashi, Naruto, Sakura, and Chiyo in episode 15 of Naruto: Shippuden.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- Kakashi Hatake was also seen activating the jutsu with an unreadable number of hand signs in the Bell Test against Naruto and Sakura in episode 4 of Naruto: Shippuden.

Section 6 of 6:

All Jutsu Hand Signs from Naruto

Download Article

1
Bird The Bird sign is based on the Rooster Chinese zodiac sign and fittingly represents the Wind Release nature type. It is used to produce wind-based jutsu, with one of the main users of the sign being Naruto himself due to his wind nature type. To form the Bird hand sign, interlock your fingers, straighten your thumbs, point them towards your body, and press them together, then raise your pinky and middle fingers before pressing them together.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- In Japanese, the Bird sign is called Tori.
The Boar hand sign (known as I in Japanese) is based on the Pig Chinese Zodiac sign. It isn’t always needed for nature-based jutsu, but it is needed to successfully complete a summoning jutsu. It’s a tougher sign to pull off, but it’s not impossible. To form the Boar sign, make a partial fist while keeping your palms stuck together and facing the ground, all while your arms are bent at a 90-degree angle.^{[13]
X
Research source}
Known as the Inu sign in Japanese, the Dog sign is based on the Chinese Zodiac sign of the same name. It’s essential for Water-based techniques, being used by prominent water-type ninja like Kisame and Zabuza. To form the Dog sign, form a fist with your right hand, then place a straightened left hand on top of it.^{[14]
X
Research source}
Based on the Dragon Chinese Zodiac sign, the Dragon (Tatsu) hand sign is used in conjunction with other hand signs to produce dragon-shaped jutsu manifestations of whatever element the other hand signs are connected to. To form the Dragon hand sign, interlock your fingers, raise your thumbs and interlock them, straighten your pinkies, press them together, and point them at the ground.^{[15]
X
Research source}
Known as Usagi in Japanese, the Hare hand sign is based on the Chinese Zodiac sign, Rabbit. It’s often used to channel light-based jutsu, like the Chidori or lightning hands, by Sasuke and Kakashi. To form the Hare sign, ball your right hand like a fist and straighten your pinky. Then, raise your left thumb and point your left index finger to form a finger gun. Put the right hand on top of the left to complete the sign.^{[16]
X
Research source}
6
Horse Known as the Uma in Japanese, the Horse hand sign is based on the Chinese Zodiac sign of the same animal. It isn’t essential for basic nature releases, but it’s often used by Sasuke to conjure the Fireball jutsu. To form the Horse sign, spread your hands out with your palms facing you and fold each finger but your index fingers into the palms. Lift the right hand slightly above the left, interlock your fingers, and press your index fingers together.^{[17]
X
Research source}
- Fold your thumbs into the bases of your index fingers to complete the sign.
- The Horse sign is also used to expel genjutsu (reality-illusory) techniques.
Known as the Saru in Japanese, the Monkey sign is based on the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Monkey. It tends to be used by Sasuke to help channel his Chidori, but it’s also used to form the Fireball jutsu. To make the Monkey hand sign, press your open palms together with your right hand on top and your left hand on the bottom. Put your right pinky in between the gap of your left thumb and index finger to complete the sign.^{[18]
X
Research source}
The Ox (Ushi) sign is based on the Ox Chinese Zodiac, and tends to be used for fire techniques by the Uchiha. To form the Ox hand sign, stick the fingers on your right hand out. Then, interlock your fingers. Keep the left hand’s two middle fingers folded, then raise your left index and pinky fingers to complete the sign.^{[19]
X
Research source}
9
Ram The Ram, which is known as the Hitsuji in Japanese, is based on the Goat Chinese zodiac sign. It’s typically used by Naruto and other characters to activate the Shadow Clone Jutsu, making it one of the most common signs in the franchise. To form the Ram sign, raise your right and left index and middle fingers, press them together, and slide the right fingers lower than the left.^{[20]
X
Research source}
- Place the third and pinky fingers of your left hand on top of your folded right hand when you press the two together.
- Characters like Madara and Obito Uchiha form their Ram signs with the opposite hand when they use Six Paths techniques, which are techniques passed down from the Sage of Six Paths.
10
Rat Known as Ne or Nezumi in Japanese, the Rat sign is based on the Chinese zodiac sign of the same animal. Like many of the other hand signs, it isn’t essential for nature-type jutsu. To form the Rat sign, raise your left index and middle finger, then wrap your right fingers around them, being careful to keep your left index finger looser than the other fingers.^{[21]
X
Research source}
- The Rat sign is often used by the Nara clan, who have shadow-controlling techniques that are exclusive to their members.
Called mi in Japanese, this sign is based on the Chinese zodiac sign of the Snake. It’s commonly used throughout Naruto, as it’s associated with Lightning, Wood, and Earth releases. It’s also one of the easiest signs to perform, as you simply interlock your fingers as though you were praying.^{[22]
X
Research source}
12
Tiger The Tiger hand sign is known as the Tora in Japanese and is based on the Chinese zodiac sign of the same animal. It is essential for Fire and Earth-based jutsu, and is luckily one of the easiest signs to perform. To make the Tiger hand sign, simply interlock your hands like you’re praying.^{[23]
X
Research source}
- The Tiger hand sign is often used by the Uchiha to form Fire-based jutsu.