| [Note: This paper contains images which may be seen | | | | Nature and the Universe. History has recorded |
| as originally published at our website]According to its | | | | numerous of these schools and temples of esoteric |
| votaries, the hand of the crucified Jesus is believed to | | | | knowledge among which were the mysteries of Isis, |
| possess occult virtues. When worn as an amulet it is | | | | Sabazius, Cybele, Eleusis, Orpheus, Mithra, Asar-Hapi, |
| said to be an all-round good-luck charm. Prayers are | | | | and Odin. To state the mission and purpose of these |
| said in conjunction with its presence on one's person. | | | | metaphysical institutions we can do no better than to |
| One prayer associated with this particular amulet is as | | | | quote the eminent Freemason, Robert Macoy:"It |
| follows:"I carry a likeness of your pierced hand as a | | | | appears that all the perfection of civilization, and all the |
| fervent symbol of your infinite kindness. Thou who has | | | | advancement made in philosophy, sciences, and art |
| known such suffering, reach out your hand with a | | | | among the ancients are due to those institutions which, |
| blessing. Thy pierced hand inspires this humble prayer | | | | under the veil of mystery, sought to illuminate the |
| that I may call on Thee to grant me peace and | | | | sublimest truths of religion, morality, and virtue, and |
| happiness. Amen."Generally, charms in the form of | | | | impress them on the heart of the disciples. Their chief |
| hands, and in any pose--whether made of metal, stone, | | | | object was to teach the doctrine of one God, the |
| or inscribed--were often carried to ward off the "Evil | | | | resurrection of man to the eternal life, the dignity of the |
| Eye," or the ietattura as it is called in Southern Italy, or | | | | human soul, and to lead the people to see the shadow |
| ain al-hasad, the "Eye of Envy," by the Arabs. The | | | | of the deity, in the beauty, magnificence, and splendor |
| ancient Sumerians referred to it as IG-HUL, "Eye Evil." | | | | of the universe."Within some of these Mystery schools, |
| The Evil Eye is an ancient belief and not without any | | | | when the candidate is first initiated and accepted as a |
| metaphysical substantiation. From the metaphysical | | | | neophyte, he or she is often given an effigy of a |
| point of view, eyes radiates energy and the quality of | | | | human hand filled with symbolic images to contemplate. |
| this force is tainted by the will and character of its | | | | This hand is referred to as the Hand of the |
| emanator. Like all forces, the power flowing from the | | | | Philosopher, or the Hand of the Mysteries. When these |
| eyes may bless or curse others. There are many | | | | symbols are understood, they provide the neophyte |
| examples of amulets with a single eye on the palm of | | | | the keys to facilitate the transformation of their lower |
| the hand. It is believed that this attracts the Evil Eye in | | | | nature into divinity--from man to god. Regeneration, |
| accord with the Law of Attraction and absorbs its | | | | transmutation, and empowerment are the |
| malevolent influences.In order to counteract the | | | | consequence of the application of the laws and |
| malignant rays emanating from the eyes of negative | | | | principles that these ancient symbols represent. Among |
| individuals, the Hamsa Hand, or the Hand of Fatima | | | | the many secrets that they portray, they teach how |
| charm was invented by the Arabs to re-direct these | | | | one may commune with one's Holy Guardian Angel, or |
| individuals' willful attention and malefic glances. Fatima | | | | one's Higher Self. The practitioner of the secrets of the |
| was the daughter of the Prophet Muhammed and | | | | Mysteries undergo a rebirth as a result of the growing |
| Khadijah. She was said to be a very virtuous woman, | | | | influence and expression of the Higher Self in |
| and it is believed that the charms representing her | | | | everyday consciousness.The Philosopher's Hand may |
| embody all of her solid virtues and would protect and | | | | be regarded as an alchemical manual taking the |
| bring good fortune to its bearer. The fingers of the | | | | conscientious student step by step through the |
| Hand of Fatima symbolically represent the five pillars | | | | alchemical process. In Freemasonry, the Hand of the |
| of Islam: 1) observance of the Ramadhan fast; 2) | | | | Mysteries is known as the hand of the Master Mason. |
| pilgrimage to Mecca; 3) alms-giving; 4) observance of | | | | In some Masonic groups, this is the title for the highest |
| the daily prayers; 5) profession of faith. The right hand | | | | of the three degrees to be found in the hoary and |
| is used to symbolize the Hand of Fatima, for it is the | | | | august fraternity. In this article we have included three |
| hand of honor, in contradistinction to the left, which is | | | | examples of these symbolical hands. The first |
| the "unclean hand." In most Eastern cultures it is | | | | illustration shown is a bronze hand to be found in the |
| considered rude and inappropriate to give things with | | | | British Museum. This specimen in the Mano Pantea |
| the left hand.Like the Arabs, the ancient Egyptians | | | | gesture, is covered with several important symbols |
| used a symbol called "the Great Hand" for various | | | | among which are : a ram's head, serpent, frog, vase, |
| protective purposes, one of which is to ward off evil | | | | crocodile, turtle, cornucopia, scales, woman with child, |
| magnetism. Most hand amulets appear with a single | | | | table with loaves of bread, and a cane. It is supposed |
| eye on the palm. There are instances of this in various | | | | to be Egyptian in origin.The second hand is a painting |
| cultures.Amulets were not of value only to the living, | | | | redrawn by J. Augustus Knapp from an 18th century |
| but to the "dead" as well. In ancient Egypt, an amulet | | | | water color, and is taken from Manly Hall's "Secret |
| called dejebaui, or "two-fingers" were often placed | | | | Teachings of All Ages"; it was executed with the |
| among a mummy's swathings to help the deceased | | | | alchemical process in mind. In this illustration there is a |
| one to ascend and ride on the boat of Ra to the | | | | figure of a fish which symbolizes mercury--the principle |
| afterlife. This amulet depicted the index and middle | | | | of the Spirit within the microcosm. This aquatic |
| fingers and was usually made out of black basalt, | | | | creature is surrounded by the element of fire that |
| green stone, or obsidian.During the enunciation of a | | | | represents the psychological aspect of man, or the |
| pledge the right hand is often raised in the air. This | | | | human soul. The rest of the fingers individually refer to |
| originated in ancient customs where the raising of the | | | | the various steps of the spiritual path of transmutation |
| hands were used to invoke the presence of the gods. | | | | of the base nature of man into the resplendent gold of |
| Raising the right hand while making a pledge is | | | | divinity. Kaballistically, the hand shows the mastership |
| therefore, tantamount to saying, "In the name of God . . | | | | of the crowned thumb (the Will) over the four worlds |
| ." Another version is to place the right hand on a holy | | | | represented by the fingers. These four worlds are |
| book while uttering an oath. The significance is similar | | | | referred to as Atziluth, Briah, Yetzirah, and Assiah, or |
| to the above.In the West, many hand-signs have been | | | | the World of Archetypes, the World of Creation, the |
| made popular with its constant use throughout the | | | | World of Formation, and the World of Manifestation. |
| centuries. For instance we have the V-sign with the | | | | Atop of the fingertips in Knapp's illustration are symbols |
| index and middle finger raised while the others flexed | | | | representing the various components of the |
| and clasped by the thumb. This signified victory and | | | | microcosm: the lantern, the Concrete Mind; the Sun, the |
| triumph. Similar to this is the Mano Cornuto, where only | | | | Abstract Mind; the Star, Buddhi; the Crown, Atma. The |
| the index and little finger are raised, and the rest folded | | | | little finger holds aloft a philosophical key, which reveals |
| onto the palms. This represents horns, the devil, and | | | | the secrets of the Mysteries. It also symbolizes the |
| the powers of evil. In the Orient, though, this sign is said | | | | etheric body, which is considered by Western Initiates |
| to have the power to ward off demons. Kuan Yin is | | | | as the key to occult development. The wings |
| often depicted with this mudra. The Hung Society of | | | | surrounding the hand is a sign for |
| China uses it as a sign of membership and also to | | | | transcendentalism--the things of the Spirit as opposed |
| signify "Man," who embodies both Heaven and Earth. In | | | | to matter. The eyes, on the other hand, indicate the |
| Italian witchcraft, the Mano Cornuto represents the | | | | divine aspect of omniscience unfolded in the Master |
| crescent moon of the goddess Diana.Another | | | | Mason after having discovered and applied the "Lost |
| prominent hand sign is the Mano Fica, or figa, the sign | | | | Word."Hindu versions of the Hand of the Mysteries are |
| of coitus where the thumb protrudes between the first | | | | diagrams known as Hastakara Yantra. Like their |
| and second fingers of the closed hand. It is of ancient | | | | Western counterpart, these hands have various |
| origin The Romans and Etruscans were well familiar | | | | symbolic images depicted on them. Among other |
| with this sign having made images of it. Lika Mano | | | | things they illustrate the relationship between man and |
| Cornuto, the latter sign is a popular amulet against | | | | the cosmic forces.Like Hindu yoga, in Feng Shui, or |
| negative forces. Crossing the index finger with the | | | | Chinese geomancy, there are 5 elements: Water, |
| middle finger also has a sexual significance. It | | | | Wood, Earth, Fire, and Metal. In Chinese palmistry the |
| symbolizes the generation of life and by association a | | | | little finger is associated with air, the ring finger with fire, |
| good outcome in one's hopeful expectations, in one's | | | | the middle finger with earth, the forefinger with water, |
| enterprise possessing an ambiguous upshot. Another | | | | and the thumb with chi or metal as mentioned before. |
| sexual gesture much more explicit is the repeated | | | | This system differs from the Hindu yogic mudra |
| insertion and withdrawal of the forefinger of the right | | | | tradition. First of all, in yoga philosophy the fifth element |
| hand (the phallus) into a circle formed by the thumb | | | | is akasha or space, which although correspond to chi, |
| and index finger of the left hand (the vulva). The pose | | | | does not relate to metal at all. According to mudra |
| of the left hand in the above gesture is also an "O.K." | | | | teachings, Angutha or the thumb corresponds to fire, |
| sign.One of the old superstitions states that the sexual | | | | Tarjani or the forefinger to air, Madhyam or the middle |
| act brings good luck, good fortune, and prosperity. | | | | finger to akasha, Anamika or the ring finger to earth |
| Perhaps because of its connection to fertility rites | | | | and Kanishthika, or the little finger to water. In this work |
| where the energy aroused and released during sexual | | | | on mudras, we will stress more on the Hindu yogic |
| ceremonies in open fields is believed to empower | | | | assignment of the elements to the fingers and thumb. |
| crops to grow abundantly. This belief is also one of the | | | | The application of elemental mudras in conjunction with |
| reasons why phallic and coital amulets were carried on | | | | the elemental tattvic tides is a great tool in elemental |
| one's person. Such charms were thought to bring | | | | magick.Hand Signs in Religious ArtHand signs are an |
| about fortunate circumstances to the wearer. Sexual | | | | essential part of life. They are used to convey silently |
| amulets made out of metal, bone, and wood were | | | | but powerfully the intention and thoughts of their user. |
| very popular in the classical worlds of Greece and the | | | | Humanity has for ages utilized sign languages. It |
| Roman Empire.A hand sign that is mainly used by the | | | | originated at a period of Man's evolution when he was |
| sacerdotal priesthood of the Christian Churches, is the | | | | incapable of communicating his abstract and concrete |
| Mano Pantea. This is the sign of benediction posed by | | | | thoughts with words and phrases lingually. He was |
| extending the thumb and first two fingers. The ring and | | | | solely dependent upon gesticulations as a media for |
| little fingers are folded onto the palms. This mudra can | | | | expressing his feelings and passions. This primitive |
| be seen in the various paintings and murals of Jesus, | | | | form of communication is still being used by modern |
| the Saints, and priests. In Latin countries, the Mano | | | | man in certain situations and expediency. Not |
| Pantea is also often used as an amulet against the | | | | surprisingly, the intelligent classes of anthropoids also |
| "Evil Eye," when thus employed it is normally covered | | | | make use of hand-sign movements such as the |
| with other protective symbols as reinforcements.An | | | | beating of the chest in expressing anger or authority. |
| upraised thumb represents the erect phallus and is a | | | | The fictitious Tarzan could not resist aping this gesture |
| sign for life, success, prosperity, and acceptability. In | | | | from his Darwinian guardians.Certain specific hand |
| contrast, the downward pointing thumb denotes defeat | | | | signs are to be found all over the world. Many cultures |
| and is the veto sign of condemnation or the death | | | | preceding and succeeding the Christian era share |
| sentence. The middle finger solitarily extended is one | | | | common gestures that express particular concepts. It |
| of the obscene gestures vulgarly referred to as, "up | | | | has been suggested that these gestures all have |
| yours." It signifies the command to perform an | | | | comparable basic ideas or significance because of |
| unnatural or perverse sexual act.The famed Buddhist | | | | their appearances in similar contexts. This is known |
| temple, Borobudur in the island of Java was | | | | through their repeated portrayal in the many paintings, |
| constructed in the form of a mandala--a symbolic | | | | sculptures, and drawings of the past available for our |
| diagram of the cosmos. It is built in tiers, and at every | | | | scrutiny and study. Mediaeval Christian art of saints, |
| level, there are numerous statues of Buddhas sitting in | | | | prophets, and the Holy Trinity, and the gods and devas |
| silent meditation. At each point of the compass the | | | | of Egypt, India and the South American Indians are |
| contemplative Buddhas assume a certain mudra. | | | | often depicted with similar hand |
| Those facing North bear the Abhaya (fearlessness) | | | | positions.Contemporarily, we find school children |
| mudra, while those in the East show the Bhumisparsha | | | | perpetuating certain traditional signs that have their |
| (earth-touching) gesture. The Dana (giving) mudra is | | | | origin in religion and pagan practices. For instance, |
| the hand pose of the Buddhas facing South, and the | | | | crossing the fingers as a sort of prayer so that they |
| Dhyana (meditation) mudra of those facing West. | | | | may be free from chastisement when interrogated of |
| Other mudras in the precincts of the temple are also | | | | their wrong behavior--this may be a corrupted form of |
| to be found such as the Vitarka (debate) and | | | | the ecclesiastical use of the Sign of Benediction.There |
| Dharmachakraprayartana (teaching) gestures. This | | | | are many professions that make use of signs only |
| careful orientation of mudra bearers to compass | | | | known to their members or affiliates. For instance, |
| points is symbolic. It is related to the quaternary | | | | merchants, masons, tramps, gamblers, prostitutes--all |
| principles to be found in the micro- and macrocosm. | | | | have signs known only to themselves with which they |
| Comprehensive teachings concerning these may be | | | | signal one another.Because of the profuse use of |
| found in the esoteric aspects of Buddhism and | | | | signs and gestures by the Italians in their everyday life, |
| esotericism in general.Symbolic marks or imprints are | | | | anthropologists believe that these descendents of |
| often found on the palms of statues and icons of | | | | Romulus and Remus are not able to carry out a |
| Buddhas and Avatars. These marks indicate the | | | | satisfactory conversation if they were prevented the |
| power, virtue, or attribute of these God-incarnates. In | | | | use of gesticulation.Occultists believe that most |
| Hinduism, Shiva appears the most with these hand | | | | gestures or hand signs that are found in religion and in |
| drawings. Many kinds of marks exist. Several are to | | | | society have a common origin in the prevalent Mystery |
| be found on just the palms of Gautama (Shakyamuni) | | | | Schools of the past where they were used in a |
| Buddha alone. These palmar designs probably | | | | ceremonial setting. Modern Freemasonry as one of the |
| originated from the special marks that do physically | | | | many descendents of these Occult Temples of |
| appear on the palms. Cheiromancy identifies several of | | | | Wisdom and Knowledge still perpetuates this custom |
| these as the square, the grille, the island, the cross or | | | | of hand signs in their initiatory rites.Like the |
| star, etc.Hands were revered by the Hindus for | | | | Freemasons, secret societies in the Orient also have |
| centuries. One of the Shivaic tantrik rituals of India | | | | ceremonies where esoteric signs are employed. One |
| gives the following liturgical adoration to the fingers of | | | | of the secret associations of China, the Hung Society, |
| the hands:"Om Sham I bow to the thumbs Namah. Om | | | | have certain signs and gestures with which |
| Shim I bow the index fingers Svaha. Om Shum I bow | | | | communication is carried-out among the affiliated |
| to the middle fingers Vashat. Om Shaim I bow to the | | | | members--not only in the ceremonies but in everyday |
| ring fingers Hum. Om Shaum I bow to the little fingers | | | | life as well. The aforementioned society, likewise, have |
| Vaushat. Om Shah I bow to the front and back of | | | | plentiful mudras or signs representing the principles of |
| hands Phat."This chant is accompanied by specific | | | | their philosophy. In its doctrines, the five elements of |
| mudras that purifies the subtle channels of the upper | | | | Taoist esotericism are signified by poses that are also |
| limbs. Not only is this ritual practiced in India but | | | | to be found elsewhere around the globe.The mystical |
| variations of it may be found in Bali as well.In the | | | | Dervishes, established by the Sufi Rumi, apply hand |
| marriage ceremonies and sexual rites of Oriental | | | | signs for occult purposes. They invoke the Divine |
| cultures such as in Tantrism, Yoginis or Shaktis often | | | | Presence by utilizing these signs that corresponds with |
| paint Yantras and other symbolical diagrams on the | | | | the 99 names of God in their dance rituals, as already |
| palms of their hands with henna or red dye. These | | | | alluded to previously.Artists of all ages have secret |
| diagrams normally have intricate floral patterns and are | | | | codes and teachings with which they unveil in their |
| magical and hypnotic. They are used to attract, to | | | | artwork. In archaic times it was a dangerous matter to |
| mesmerize, and to empower themselves and their | | | | openly publicize occult and spiritual teachings that |
| sexual partners.In Islamic mysticism, specific gestures | | | | religions steeped in fundamentalism were dramatically |
| are often employed to help produce an altered state | | | | opposed to for these teachings threatened their |
| of awareness. Dervishes, for instance, pose their | | | | political structure and lessen their value in the eyes of |
| hands in specific mudras and hand signs while dancing | | | | an evolving humanity. It is for this reason that the |
| and whirling around on a single spot. Some Sufi sects | | | | Mystery and metaphysical schools established by the |
| would trace the 99 names of God on their bodies with | | | | ancient sages went underground and operated |
| their right hand while engaging in zikir, or recollecting | | | | clandestinely. They promulgated their teachings through |
| and focusing upon God through constant chanting.In | | | | signs and symbols that acted on one level as their |
| ancient times there were the Mystery Schools that | | | | calling card. |
| taught to the selected few the laws and secrets of | | | | |