Pataka means “Flag”. Pataka is done with all fingers held straight like the Stop sign. There should be no gap between the fingers. Following are the uses (viniyoga) of Pataka:

Lets see the Viniyoga shloka (sanskrit verses that explain the uses) :
Natyarambhe varivahe vanay vastunishedhane
Kuchastale nishayam cha nadya-mamaramandale
Turange khandane vayo shayane gamanodyame
Pratape cha prasade cha chandrikayam [...]