Karate Hand Positions

Striking Surface - Where on your body you send to strike the opponent.
Striking Area - The points of the opponent's body that are most damaging to strike in the stance.

"Hok" Crane

Hand Formation: "The crane beak", fingers pressed tightly together to form a point at the finger tips.
Striking Surface: Fingertips
Striking Area: Soft or vital areas of the opponent.

"Loong" Dragon

Hand Formation: "The dragon claw", an open hand used for grabbing and controlling opponents. The fingers may be used separately to gouge and poke.
Striking Surface: Fingers
Striking Area: N/A

"Pau" Leopard

Hand Formation: "The leopard claw", half opened fist.
The striking surface can be modified for ripping & tearing.
Striking Surface: Knuckle ridges
2nd Striking Surface: Palm
Striking Area: N/A

"Seh" Snake

Hand Formation: "The snake head", open hand with fully extended fingers and tightly held together. To be effective, both hands must work together.
Striking Surface: Fingertips
Striking Area: Soft and vital areas of an opponent

"Foo" Tiger

Hand Formation: "The tiger claw", open hand used for tearing and grabbing.
It is not effective by simply gripping with the hand, but from digging the fingertips into the opponent to control their limbs, damage vital points, or tear into the skin.
Striking Surface: Fingertips (and fingers when digging into the opponent)
Striking Area: Vital points, limbs, skin