Mudras & Hand Symbolism: Hand Symbolism & Beliefs Part 2

[Note: This paper contains images which may be seenNature and the Universe. History has recorded
as originally published at our website]According to itsnumerous of these schools and temples of esoteric
votaries, the hand of the crucified Jesus is believed toknowledge among which were the mysteries of Isis,
possess occult virtues. When worn as an amulet it isSabazius, Cybele, Eleusis, Orpheus, Mithra, Asar-Hapi,
said to be an all-round good-luck charm. Prayers areand 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 asquote the eminent Freemason, Robert Macoy:"It
follows:"I carry a likeness of your pierced hand as aappears that all the perfection of civilization, and all the
fervent symbol of your infinite kindness. Thou who hasadvancement made in philosophy, sciences, and art
known such suffering, reach out your hand with aamong the ancients are due to those institutions which,
blessing. Thy pierced hand inspires this humble prayerunder the veil of mystery, sought to illuminate the
that I may call on Thee to grant me peace andsublimest truths of religion, morality, and virtue, and
happiness. Amen."Generally, charms in the form ofimpress 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 "Evilresurrection of man to the eternal life, the dignity of the
Eye," or the ietattura as it is called in Southern Italy, orhuman soul, and to lead the people to see the shadow
ain al-hasad, the "Eye of Envy," by the Arabs. Theof 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 anywhen the candidate is first initiated and accepted as a
metaphysical substantiation. From the metaphysicalneophyte, he or she is often given an effigy of a
point of view, eyes radiates energy and the quality ofhuman hand filled with symbolic images to contemplate.
this force is tainted by the will and character of itsThis hand is referred to as the Hand of the
emanator. Like all forces, the power flowing from thePhilosopher, or the Hand of the Mysteries. When these
eyes may bless or curse others. There are manysymbols are understood, they provide the neophyte
examples of amulets with a single eye on the palm ofthe keys to facilitate the transformation of their lower
the hand. It is believed that this attracts the Evil Eye innature into divinity--from man to god. Regeneration,
accord with the Law of Attraction and absorbs itstransmutation, and empowerment are the
malevolent influences.In order to counteract theconsequence of the application of the laws and
malignant rays emanating from the eyes of negativeprinciples that these ancient symbols represent. Among
individuals, the Hamsa Hand, or the Hand of Fatimathe many secrets that they portray, they teach how
charm was invented by the Arabs to re-direct theseone may commune with one's Holy Guardian Angel, or
individuals' willful attention and malefic glances. Fatimaone's Higher Self. The practitioner of the secrets of the
was the daughter of the Prophet Muhammed andMysteries 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 hereveryday consciousness.The Philosopher's Hand may
embody all of her solid virtues and would protect andbe regarded as an alchemical manual taking the
bring good fortune to its bearer. The fingers of theconscientious student step by step through the
Hand of Fatima symbolically represent the five pillarsalchemical 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 ofIn some Masonic groups, this is the title for the highest
the daily prayers; 5) profession of faith. The right handof the three degrees to be found in the hoary and
is used to symbolize the Hand of Fatima, for it is theaugust fraternity. In this article we have included three
hand of honor, in contradistinction to the left, which isexamples of these symbolical hands. The first
the "unclean hand." In most Eastern cultures it isillustration shown is a bronze hand to be found in the
considered rude and inappropriate to give things withBritish Museum. This specimen in the Mano Pantea
the left hand.Like the Arabs, the ancient Egyptiansgesture, is covered with several important symbols
used a symbol called "the Great Hand" for variousamong which are : a ram's head, serpent, frog, vase,
protective purposes, one of which is to ward off evilcrocodile, turtle, cornucopia, scales, woman with child,
magnetism. Most hand amulets appear with a singletable with loaves of bread, and a cane. It is supposed
eye on the palm. There are instances of this in variousto 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 amuletwater color, and is taken from Manly Hall's "Secret
called dejebaui, or "two-fingers" were often placedTeachings of All Ages"; it was executed with the
among a mummy's swathings to help the deceasedalchemical process in mind. In this illustration there is a
one to ascend and ride on the boat of Ra to thefigure of a fish which symbolizes mercury--the principle
afterlife. This amulet depicted the index and middleof 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 arepresents the psychological aspect of man, or the
pledge the right hand is often raised in the air. Thishuman soul. The rest of the fingers individually refer to
originated in ancient customs where the raising of thethe 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 isdivinity. 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 holyrepresented by the fingers. These four worlds are
book while uttering an oath. The significance is similarreferred to as Atziluth, Briah, Yetzirah, and Assiah, or
to the above.In the West, many hand-signs have beenthe World of Archetypes, the World of Creation, the
made popular with its constant use throughout theWorld of Formation, and the World of Manifestation.
centuries. For instance we have the V-sign with theAtop of the fingertips in Knapp's illustration are symbols
index and middle finger raised while the others flexedrepresenting the various components of the
and clasped by the thumb. This signified victory andmicrocosm: the lantern, the Concrete Mind; the Sun, the
triumph. Similar to this is the Mano Cornuto, where onlyAbstract Mind; the Star, Buddhi; the Crown, Atma. The
the index and little finger are raised, and the rest foldedlittle finger holds aloft a philosophical key, which reveals
onto the palms. This represents horns, the devil, andthe secrets of the Mysteries. It also symbolizes the
the powers of evil. In the Orient, though, this sign is saidetheric body, which is considered by Western Initiates
to have the power to ward off demons. Kuan Yin isas the key to occult development. The wings
often depicted with this mudra. The Hung Society ofsurrounding the hand is a sign for
China uses it as a sign of membership and also totranscendentalism--the things of the Spirit as opposed
signify "Man," who embodies both Heaven and Earth. Into matter. The eyes, on the other hand, indicate the
Italian witchcraft, the Mano Cornuto represents thedivine aspect of omniscience unfolded in the Master
crescent moon of the goddess Diana.AnotherMason after having discovered and applied the "Lost
prominent hand sign is the Mano Fica, or figa, the signWord."Hindu versions of the Hand of the Mysteries are
of coitus where the thumb protrudes between the firstdiagrams known as Hastakara Yantra. Like their
and second fingers of the closed hand. It is of ancientWestern counterpart, these hands have various
origin The Romans and Etruscans were well familiarsymbolic images depicted on them. Among other
with this sign having made images of it. Lika Manothings they illustrate the relationship between man and
Cornuto, the latter sign is a popular amulet againstthe cosmic forces.Like Hindu yoga, in Feng Shui, or
negative forces. Crossing the index finger with theChinese geomancy, there are 5 elements: Water,
middle finger also has a sexual significance. ItWood, Earth, Fire, and Metal. In Chinese palmistry the
symbolizes the generation of life and by association alittle finger is associated with air, the ring finger with fire,
good outcome in one's hopeful expectations, in one'sthe middle finger with earth, the forefinger with water,
enterprise possessing an ambiguous upshot. Anotherand the thumb with chi or metal as mentioned before.
sexual gesture much more explicit is the repeatedThis system differs from the Hindu yogic mudra
insertion and withdrawal of the forefinger of the righttradition. First of all, in yoga philosophy the fifth element
hand (the phallus) into a circle formed by the thumbis akasha or space, which although correspond to chi,
and index finger of the left hand (the vulva). The posedoes 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 sexualTarjani 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 ritesand Kanishthika, or the little finger to water. In this work
where the energy aroused and released during sexualon mudras, we will stress more on the Hindu yogic
ceremonies in open fields is believed to empowerassignment of the elements to the fingers and thumb.
crops to grow abundantly. This belief is also one of theThe application of elemental mudras in conjunction with
reasons why phallic and coital amulets were carried onthe elemental tattvic tides is a great tool in elemental
one's person. Such charms were thought to bringmagick.Hand Signs in Religious ArtHand signs are an
about fortunate circumstances to the wearer. Sexualessential part of life. They are used to convey silently
amulets made out of metal, bone, and wood werebut powerfully the intention and thoughts of their user.
very popular in the classical worlds of Greece and theHumanity has for ages utilized sign languages. It
Roman Empire.A hand sign that is mainly used by theoriginated at a period of Man's evolution when he was
sacerdotal priesthood of the Christian Churches, is theincapable of communicating his abstract and concrete
Mano Pantea. This is the sign of benediction posed bythoughts with words and phrases lingually. He was
extending the thumb and first two fingers. The ring andsolely dependent upon gesticulations as a media for
little fingers are folded onto the palms. This mudra canexpressing 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 Manoman in certain situations and expediency. Not
Pantea is also often used as an amulet against thesurprisingly, the intelligent classes of anthropoids also
"Evil Eye," when thus employed it is normally coveredmake use of hand-sign movements such as the
with other protective symbols as reinforcements.Anbeating of the chest in expressing anger or authority.
upraised thumb represents the erect phallus and is aThe fictitious Tarzan could not resist aping this gesture
sign for life, success, prosperity, and acceptability. Infrom his Darwinian guardians.Certain specific hand
contrast, the downward pointing thumb denotes defeatsigns are to be found all over the world. Many cultures
and is the veto sign of condemnation or the deathpreceding and succeeding the Christian era share
sentence. The middle finger solitarily extended is onecommon gestures that express particular concepts. It
of the obscene gestures vulgarly referred to as, "uphas been suggested that these gestures all have
yours." It signifies the command to perform ancomparable basic ideas or significance because of
unnatural or perverse sexual act.The famed Buddhisttheir appearances in similar contexts. This is known
temple, Borobudur in the island of Java wasthrough their repeated portrayal in the many paintings,
constructed in the form of a mandala--a symbolicsculptures, and drawings of the past available for our
diagram of the cosmos. It is built in tiers, and at everyscrutiny and study. Mediaeval Christian art of saints,
level, there are numerous statues of Buddhas sitting inprophets, and the Holy Trinity, and the gods and devas
silent meditation. At each point of the compass theof 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 Bhumisparshaperpetuating certain traditional signs that have their
(earth-touching) gesture. The Dana (giving) mudra isorigin in religion and pagan practices. For instance,
the hand pose of the Buddhas facing South, and thecrossing 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 alsotheir wrong behavior--this may be a corrupted form of
to be found such as the Vitarka (debate) andthe ecclesiastical use of the Sign of Benediction.There
Dharmachakraprayartana (teaching) gestures. Thisare many professions that make use of signs only
careful orientation of mudra bearers to compassknown to their members or affiliates. For instance,
points is symbolic. It is related to the quaternarymerchants, 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 besignal one another.Because of the profuse use of
found in the esoteric aspects of Buddhism andsigns and gestures by the Italians in their everyday life,
esotericism in general.Symbolic marks or imprints areanthropologists believe that these descendents of
often found on the palms of statues and icons ofRomulus and Remus are not able to carry out a
Buddhas and Avatars. These marks indicate thesatisfactory conversation if they were prevented the
power, virtue, or attribute of these God-incarnates. Inuse of gesticulation.Occultists believe that most
Hinduism, Shiva appears the most with these handgestures or hand signs that are found in religion and in
drawings. Many kinds of marks exist. Several are tosociety 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 probablyceremonial setting. Modern Freemasonry as one of the
originated from the special marks that do physicallymany descendents of these Occult Temples of
appear on the palms. Cheiromancy identifies several ofWisdom and Knowledge still perpetuates this custom
these as the square, the grille, the island, the cross orof hand signs in their initiatory rites.Like the
star, etc.Hands were revered by the Hindus forFreemasons, secret societies in the Orient also have
centuries. One of the Shivaic tantrik rituals of Indiaceremonies where esoteric signs are employed. One
gives the following liturgical adoration to the fingers ofof the secret associations of China, the Hung Society,
the hands:"Om Sham I bow to the thumbs Namah. Omhave certain signs and gestures with which
Shim I bow the index fingers Svaha. Om Shum I bowcommunication is carried-out among the affiliated
to the middle fingers Vashat. Om Shaim I bow to themembers--not only in the ceremonies but in everyday
ring fingers Hum. Om Shaum I bow to the little fingerslife as well. The aforementioned society, likewise, have
Vaushat. Om Shah I bow to the front and back ofplentiful mudras or signs representing the principles of
hands Phat."This chant is accompanied by specifictheir philosophy. In its doctrines, the five elements of
mudras that purifies the subtle channels of the upperTaoist esotericism are signified by poses that are also
limbs. Not only is this ritual practiced in India butto be found elsewhere around the globe.The mystical
variations of it may be found in Bali as well.In theDervishes, established by the Sufi Rumi, apply hand
marriage ceremonies and sexual rites of Orientalsigns for occult purposes. They invoke the Divine
cultures such as in Tantrism, Yoginis or Shaktis oftenPresence by utilizing these signs that corresponds with
paint Yantras and other symbolical diagrams on thethe 99 names of God in their dance rituals, as already
palms of their hands with henna or red dye. Thesealluded to previously.Artists of all ages have secret
diagrams normally have intricate floral patterns and arecodes and teachings with which they unveil in their
magical and hypnotic. They are used to attract, toartwork. In archaic times it was a dangerous matter to
mesmerize, and to empower themselves and theiropenly publicize occult and spiritual teachings that
sexual partners.In Islamic mysticism, specific gesturesreligions steeped in fundamentalism were dramatically
are often employed to help produce an altered stateopposed to for these teachings threatened their
of awareness. Dervishes, for instance, pose theirpolitical structure and lessen their value in the eyes of
hands in specific mudras and hand signs while dancingan evolving humanity. It is for this reason that the
and whirling around on a single spot. Some Sufi sectsMystery and metaphysical schools established by the
would trace the 99 names of God on their bodies withancient sages went underground and operated
their right hand while engaging in zikir, or recollectingclandestinely. They promulgated their teachings through
and focusing upon God through constant chanting.Insigns and symbols that acted on one level as their
ancient times there were the Mystery Schools thatcalling card.
taught to the selected few the laws and secrets of