Art Hand
Posted in Paintings on 03/29/2009 03:22 am by admin |
 Embroidered Tutankhamun by KEPierre in old golden paint frame Hand Made Art UK $7,111,350.00 Time Remaining: 5d 1h 34m Buy It Now for only: $7,111,350.00 |
 The Calligraphy of Tang Dynasty Poems 300 hand writing art $500,000.00 Time Remaining: 12h 37m Buy It Now for only: $500,000.00 |
 Hand Crafted STERLING SILVER GOLD GEM POWDER HORN BY MASTER SILVERSMITH $29,500.00 Time Remaining: 10d 19h 50m Buy It Now for only: $29,500.00 |
 TARKAY Itzchak Original Oil Painting Hand Painted Isreal ART on Canvas $24,999.00 Time Remaining: 8d 4h 4m Buy It Now for only: $24,999.00 |
 353cm 100 pure hand Cross Stitch Painting Riverside Eighteen beautiful beauty $25,000.00 Time Remaining: 5d 7h 16m Buy It Now for only: $25,000.00 |
 PLATINUM DIAMOND SET HAND CRAFTED OBSIDIAN SEALS BY MASTER JEWELLER $24,500.00 Time Remaining: 10d 19h 17m Buy It Now for only: $24,500.00 |
 576cm 100 pure hand Cross Stitch Painting Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival $22,000.00 Time Remaining: 17d 21h 33m Buy It Now for only: $22,000.00 |
 THOMAS KINKADE The MOUNTAIN CHAPEL P P Hand Signed FRAMED CANVAS REMARQUED MINT $19,999.99 Time Remaining: 5d 13h 45m Buy It Now for only: $19,999.99 |
 360cm 100 pure hand Cross Stitch Painting Riverside Eighteen beautiful beauty $20,000.00 Time Remaining: 19d 6h 56m Buy It Now for only: $20,000.00 |
 GOLD SAPPHIRE DIAMOND ENCRUSTED HAND CRAFTED RUSSIAN EGG BY MASTER JEWELLER $19,500.00 Time Remaining: 27d 9h 56m Buy It Now for only: $19,500.00 |
 AFRICAN AMERICAN LOT OF 10 ART ORIGINALS HAND PAINTED $9,410.00 Time Remaining: 22d 21h 31m Buy It Now for only: $9,410.00 |
 Modern Abstract Hand Painted Metal Wall Art Decor Blue Dreamscape By Jon Allen $9,400.00 Time Remaining: 24d 9h 40m Buy It Now for only: $9,400.00 |
 Hand Carved room divider $8,500.00 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 3m |
 Samy CharnineTower Of BabylonOriginal Oil Canvas Hand Signed with custom frame $8,500.00 Time Remaining: 8d 5h 27m Buy It Now for only: $8,500.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Dance in the Making suite of 4 HAND SIGNED ORIGINAL ETCHINGS $6,000.00 Time Remaining: 20d 5h 56m Buy It Now for only: $6,000.00 |
 Riverboat Stained Glass Hand Carved Lighted Sculpture With Turning Wheel Book $6,000.00 Time Remaining: 3d 20h 24m Buy It Now for only: $6,000.00 |
 Praying Buddhas hand with Beads Over the cloud Statue Natural Jade Carving $5,599.00 Time Remaining: 25d 10h 49m Buy It Now for only: $5,599.00 |
 Clive Barker Museum at Spookyworld Hoods Hand $5,000.00 Time Remaining: 27d 7h 53m Buy It Now for only: $5,000.00 |
 Mes Ami Hand embellished Giclee by Jennifer Garant $5,000.00 Time Remaining: 5d 4h 19m Buy It Now for only: $5,000.00 |
 Ivan The Rose Giclee Hand Signed RoseWoman Artwork Art Submit an Offer $4,600.00 Time Remaining: 8d 2h 19m Buy It Now for only: $4,600.00 |
 EVE NUDE IN GARDEN OVER 200 YEARS OLD HAND PAINTIED FRAMED GORGEOUS DETAILS $4,300.00 Time Remaining: 8d 7h 44m Buy It Now for only: $4,300.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Epuise Etching Horses HAND SIGNED Fine Art Horse MAKE OFFER $4,200.00 Time Remaining: 3d 1h 27m Buy It Now for only: $4,200.00 |
 Hand made SOLID COPPER full dining set with custom patina $3,995.00 Time Remaining: 8d 15h 14m Buy It Now for only: $3,995.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Andante Japon Paper Hand Signed Artwork SUBMIT BEST OFFER $4,000.00 Time Remaining: 15d 5h 2m Buy It Now for only: $4,000.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Shahrit HAND Signed Fine Art Etching 1982 Submit Best Offer $4,000.00 Time Remaining: 26d 5h 28m Buy It Now for only: $4,000.00 |
 AFRICAN AMERICAN LOT OF 3 ART ORIGINALS HAND PAINTED $3,877.00 Time Remaining: 22d 21h 32m Buy It Now for only: $3,877.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Dejeuner 83 Fine Art Etching Japon Hand Signed MAKE OFFER $3,800.00 Time Remaining: 3d 1h 31m Buy It Now for only: $3,800.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Whisper Hand Signed Fine Art Etching 79 HS Horse MAKE OFFER $3,700.00 Time Remaining: 26d 5h 22m Buy It Now for only: $3,700.00 |
 Guillaum Azoulay Embusade Hand Signed Artwork Etching horses LK MAKE OFFER $3,700.00 Time Remaining: 3d 1h 33m Buy It Now for only: $3,700.00 |
 1920 PAINTING GASTON BONFILS A WINNING HAND GAMBLING $3,700.00 Time Remaining: 21d 3h 48m Buy It Now for only: $3,700.00 |
 Hand Made Hand Carved Solid Teak Wood Last Supper Wall Sculpture Figurine BIG $3,500.00 Time Remaining: 8h 32m Buy It Now for only: $3,500.00 |
 Bob Kane Signed Hand Drawn Batman and Robin Gallery Art $3,500.00 Time Remaining: 15d 5h 39m Buy It Now for only: $3,500.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Embusade Etching 81 HAND SIGNED FINE ART Horse MAKE OFFER $3,500.00 Time Remaining: 3d 1h 29m Buy It Now for only: $3,500.00 |
 ITZHAK TARKAY St Germain HAND SIGNED d Serigraph $3,500.00 Time Remaining: 22d 10h 4m Buy It Now for only: $3,500.00 |
 100 hand Cross Stitch Painting Portrait of 12 lady Twelve beauties of Jinling $3,500.00 Time Remaining: 28d 6h 12m Buy It Now for only: $3,500.00 |
 Abstract Modern Original Online Wall Art Gallery Hand Painted Painting Artist US $3,333.00 Time Remaining: 6d 12h 24m Buy It Now for only: $3,333.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Derby Hand Signed Original Etching 1983 Ed300 SUBMIT OFFER $3,200.00 Time Remaining: 14d 4h 40m Buy It Now for only: $3,200.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Derby Orig Etching 1983 ED75 Hand Signed Artwork SUBMIT OFFER $3,200.00 Time Remaining: 15d 5h 2m Buy It Now for only: $3,200.00 |
 Hand stretched prepped OOAK Snake Pearls Lips Roses Framed Painting Original $3,200.00 Time Remaining: 4d 16h 49m Buy It Now for only: $3,600.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Encounter Hand Signed Etching Artwork Horse MAKE OFFER $3,000.00 Time Remaining: 5d 4h 51m Buy It Now for only: $3,000.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Osalto Original Remarque with 10K Gold Leaf Hand Signed $3,000.00 Time Remaining: 19d 11h 36m Buy It Now for only: $3,000.00 |
 ITZHAK TARKAY EVE Hand Signed d Serigraph AP RARE $2,999.99 Time Remaining: 20d 14h 5m Buy It Now for only: $2,999.99 |
 Wood Carving Original by IVAN WHILLOCK Nativity Scene art hand woodcarving $2,995.00 Time Remaining: 23d 55m Buy It Now for only: $2,995.00 |
 Custom Hand Painted 10 X 10 Wall Mural $2,800.00 Time Remaining: 10h 30m Buy It Now for only: $3,800.00 |
 Custom Hand Painted 10 X 10 Wall Mural $2,800.00 Time Remaining: 4d 10h 32m Buy It Now for only: $3,800.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Full Field Hand Signed Art Serigraph 1983 LE Submit Best Offer $2,500.00 Time Remaining: 6d 4h 55m Buy It Now for only: $2,500.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Last Furlong Fantastic Hand Signed Serigraph Limited Ed Art $2,500.00 Time Remaining: 6d 5h 10m Buy It Now for only: $2,500.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Mere Afrique HS NR Etching 1977 Hand Signed Art Artwork OBO $2,500.00 Time Remaining: 6d 5h 21m Buy It Now for only: $2,500.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Pas De Deux Hand Signed Art Etching dancers Artwork MAKE OFFER $2,500.00 Time Remaining: 6d 5h 25m Buy It Now for only: $2,500.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay La Chute 1980 Original Etching Art Hand Signed SUBMIT OFFER $2,500.00 Time Remaining: 15d 5h 2m Buy It Now for only: $2,500.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Galina Hand Signed Numbered Etching 1979 Make Offer LK $2,500.00 Time Remaining: 16d 8h 17m Buy It Now for only: $2,500.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay L Assassinat de Pierrot Hand Signed Etching harlequin LK $2,500.00 Time Remaining: 19d 11h 36m Buy It Now for only: $2,500.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Le Baiser 1980 Hand Signed Etching Harlequin Suite LK $2,500.00 Time Remaining: 19d 11h 36m Buy It Now for only: $2,500.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Libre 1978 Hand Signed Etching of a Horse MAKE OFFER LK $2,500.00 Time Remaining: 19d 11h 36m Buy It Now for only: $2,500.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Printemps Original intaglio Etching 78 Hand Signed MAKE OFFER $2,500.00 Time Remaining: 20d 5h 56m Buy It Now for only: $2,500.00 |
 ITZHAK TARKAY Small Talk Hand Signed d Serigraph $2,500.00 Time Remaining: 29d 59m Buy It Now for only: $2,500.00 |
 Indian Leather Jacket Hand made from moose skin $2,500.00 Time Remaining: 2d 3h Buy It Now for only: $2,500.00 |
 Arboriginal Leather Dress Made from deer skin Hand made by the Artist $2,500.00 Time Remaining: 9d 8h 41m Buy It Now for only: $2,500.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Dore Suite Dream Agar Hand Signed Etching w Embossing OBO $2,400.00 Time Remaining: 6d 4h 42m Buy It Now for only: $2,400.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Joy of Thora Hand Signed Etching Judaic Art SUBMIT AN OFFER $2,000.00 Time Remaining: 26d 13h 2m Buy It Now for only: $2,000.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Les Chevaux Quatre ORIGINAL ETCHING HAND SIGNED MAKE OFFER $2,000.00 Time Remaining: 6d 5h 20m Buy It Now for only: $2,000.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Preakness Hand Signed 1983 horse race Art Etching Submit Offer $2,000.00 Time Remaining: 6d 5h 29m Buy It Now for only: $2,000.00 |
 Frank Howell Gray Stories Hand Colored Hand Signed Lithograph 1987 LK $2,000.00 Time Remaining: 13d 1h 54m Buy It Now for only: $2,000.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Chasse Etching 1980 Hand Signed Numbered horse LK $2,000.00 Time Remaining: 13d 6h 10m Buy It Now for only: $2,000.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Blue Horse Hand Signed Numbered Serigraph Art Print LK $2,000.00 Time Remaining: 13d 6h 11m Buy It Now for only: $2,000.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Fugue HAND SIGNED Original Intaglio Etching SUBMIT YOUR OFFER $2,000.00 Time Remaining: 16d 3h 39m Buy It Now for only: $2,000.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Le Mouvement Hand Signed Numbered Etching 1982 horses LK $2,000.00 Time Remaining: 16d 8h 17m Buy It Now for only: $2,000.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Suite St II 1984 Etching Hand Signed Numbered horses LK $2,000.00 Time Remaining: 16d 8h 17m Buy It Now for only: $2,000.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Murmure on Japon Hand Signed NR1982 SUBMIT AN OFFER $2,000.00 Time Remaining: 5h 57m Buy It Now for only: $2,000.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Murmure Hand Signed Original Artwork Serigraph SUBMIT OFFER $2,000.00 Time Remaining: 5h 57m Buy It Now for only: $2,000.00 |
 Wood Carving Original by IVAN WHILLOCK Jesus Butternut art hand woodcarving $1,995.00 Time Remaining: 16d 1h 43m Buy It Now for only: $1,995.00 |
 Wood Carving Original by IVAN WHILLOCK Madonna Butternut art hand woodcarving $1,995.00 Time Remaining: 16d 1h 51m Buy It Now for only: $1,995.00 |
 FISHERMAN HAND CARVED FROM BALI IN SUAR WOOD $1,850.00 Time Remaining: 16d 9h 36m Buy It Now for only: $1,850.00 |
 Original Pen Ink Drawing hand signed Picasso INSCRIBED Original artwork $1,815.00 Time Remaining: 3d 11h 59m Buy It Now for only: $1,815.00 |
 Guillaume Azoulay Belmont Hand Signed Origional Etching 83 Submit Best Offer $1,800.00 Time Remaining: 15d 5h 24m Buy It Now for only: $1,800.00 |
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Cuisinart CSB-76 SmartStick 200-Watt Immersion Hand Blender
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DescriptionThe versatile stick design of the Cuisinart Smart stick Hand Blender lets users blend ingredients right in pots, pitchers, bowls, or clear plastic beaker that's included. A powerful 200-watt motor operates with an easy one-touch control... |
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Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler
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DescriptionThe Cuisinart(tm) Griddler makes "multifunctional" an understatement! Make perfect panini... plus! With four separate cooking options, it can handle everything from pancakes to sausages to grilled cheese to steaks, hamburgers and panini... |
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World Cuisine A4982799 Tri-Blade Plastic Spiral Vegetable Slicer
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DescriptionCut vegetables and fruits into noodles, or curly, paper-thin ribbons with this inexpensive yet robust slicer. We recommend the World Cuisine brand over others because it costs about half or less of the price of similar models, makes nicer noodles, is easy to use and clean, and can slice fairly large quantities quickly, and is quite sturdy... |
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Chief
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DescriptionAll products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed. |
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Songs About Jane
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DescriptionMaroon 5 aren't the first band to fuse R&B and rock, but they certainly are one of the most convincing. One can almost hear Stevie Wonder's beaded braids clattering in time to their deep, funky grooves... |
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Paranoid
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DescriptionThough most of Black Sabbath's classic material from this album ("War Pigs," "Iron Man," "Fairies Wear Boots," and the title track) can also be found on the collection We Sold Our Soul for Rock & Roll, Paranoid is essential for the completist... |
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Bambi (Two-Disc Diamond Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo in Blu-ray Packaging)
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DescriptionIt always comes up when people are comparing their most traumatic movie experiences: "the death of Bambi's mother," a recollection that can bring a shudder to even the most jaded filmgoer. That primal separation (which is no less stunning for happening off-screen) is the centerpiece of Bambi, Walt Disney's 1942 animated classic, but it is by no means the only bold stroke in the film... |
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Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Three-Disc Diamond Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo + BD Live w/ Blu-ray packaging)
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DescriptionOne of the brightest nuggets from Disney's golden age, this 1937 film is almost dizzying in its meticulous construction of an enchanted world, with scores of major and minor characters (including fauna and fowl), each with a distinct identity... |
![Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon [Blu-ray]](http://www.angelfishart.com/media/images/i/51LEjKFUffL._SL75_.jpg) |
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon [Blu-ray]
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DescriptionCROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON - Blu-Ray Movie |
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Mtech ChainLink Tactical Folding Pocket Knife with Aluminum Handle
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DescriptionThis designer collector's knife features a metal fence design on the blade and a melt in your hand grip. The jet black blade is forged of 440 stainless steel and fits perfectly in you pocket or use the clip and have it at your side... |
Mudras & Hand Symbolism: Hand Symbolism & Beliefs Part 2
[Note: This paper contains images which may be seen as originally published at our website]
According to its votaries, the hand of the crucified Jesus is believed to possess occult virtues. When worn as an amulet it is said to be an all-round good-luck charm. Prayers are said in conjunction with its presence on one's person. One prayer associated with this particular amulet is as follows:
"I carry a likeness of your pierced hand as a fervent symbol of your infinite kindness. Thou who has known such suffering, reach out your hand with a blessing. Thy pierced hand inspires this humble prayer that I may call on Thee to grant me peace and happiness. Amen."
Generally, charms in the form of hands, and in any pose--whether made of metal, stone, or inscribed--were often carried to ward off the "Evil Eye," or the ietattura as it is called in Southern Italy, or ain al-hasad, the "Eye of Envy," by the Arabs. The ancient Sumerians referred to it as IG-HUL, "Eye Evil." The Evil Eye is an ancient belief and not without any metaphysical substantiation. From the metaphysical point of view, eyes radiates energy and the quality of this force is tainted by the will and character of its emanator. Like all forces, the power flowing from the eyes may bless or curse others. There are many examples of amulets with a single eye on the palm of the hand. It is believed that this attracts the Evil Eye in accord with the Law of Attraction and absorbs its malevolent influences.
In order to counteract the malignant rays emanating from the eyes of negative individuals, the Hamsa Hand, or the Hand of Fatima charm was invented by the Arabs to re-direct these individuals' willful attention and malefic glances. Fatima was the daughter of the Prophet Muhammed and Khadijah. She was said to be a very virtuous woman, and it is believed that the charms representing her embody all of her solid virtues and would protect and bring good fortune to its bearer. The fingers of the Hand of Fatima symbolically represent the five pillars of Islam: 1) observance of the Ramadhan fast; 2) pilgrimage to Mecca; 3) alms-giving; 4) observance of the daily prayers; 5) profession of faith. The right hand is used to symbolize the Hand of Fatima, for it is the hand of honor, in contradistinction to the left, which is the "unclean hand." In most Eastern cultures it is considered rude and inappropriate to give things with the left hand.
Like the Arabs, the ancient Egyptians used a symbol called "the Great Hand" for various protective purposes, one of which is to ward off evil magnetism. Most hand amulets appear with a single eye on the palm. There are instances of this in various cultures.
Amulets were not of value only to the living, but to the "dead" as well. In ancient Egypt, an amulet called dejebaui, or "two-fingers" were often placed among a mummy's swathings to help the deceased one to ascend and ride on the boat of Ra to the afterlife. This amulet depicted the index and middle fingers and was usually made out of black basalt, green stone, or obsidian.
During the enunciation of a pledge the right hand is often raised in the air. This originated in ancient customs where the raising of the hands were used to invoke the presence of the gods. Raising the right hand while making a pledge is therefore, tantamount to saying, "In the name of God . . ." Another version is to place the right hand on a holy book while uttering an oath. The significance is similar to the above.
In the West, many hand-signs have been made popular with its constant use throughout the centuries. For instance we have the V-sign with the index and middle finger raised while the others flexed and clasped by the thumb. This signified victory and triumph. Similar to this is the Mano Cornuto, where only the index and little finger are raised, and the rest folded onto the palms. This represents horns, the devil, and the powers of evil. In the Orient, though, this sign is said to have the power to ward off demons. Kuan Yin is often depicted with this mudra. The Hung Society of China uses it as a sign of membership and also to signify "Man," who embodies both Heaven and Earth. In Italian witchcraft, the Mano Cornuto represents the crescent moon of the goddess Diana.
Another prominent hand sign is the Mano Fica, or figa, the sign of coitus where the thumb protrudes between the first and second fingers of the closed hand. It is of ancient origin The Romans and Etruscans were well familiar with this sign having made images of it. Lika Mano Cornuto, the latter sign is a popular amulet against negative forces. Crossing the index finger with the middle finger also has a sexual significance. It symbolizes the generation of life and by association a good outcome in one's hopeful expectations, in one's enterprise possessing an ambiguous upshot. Another sexual gesture much more explicit is the repeated insertion and withdrawal of the forefinger of the right hand (the phallus) into a circle formed by the thumb and index finger of the left hand (the vulva). The pose of the left hand in the above gesture is also an "O.K." sign.
One of the old superstitions states that the sexual act brings good luck, good fortune, and prosperity. Perhaps because of its connection to fertility rites where the energy aroused and released during sexual ceremonies in open fields is believed to empower crops to grow abundantly. This belief is also one of the reasons why phallic and coital amulets were carried on one's person. Such charms were thought to bring about fortunate circumstances to the wearer. Sexual amulets made out of metal, bone, and wood were very popular in the classical worlds of Greece and the Roman Empire.
A hand sign that is mainly used by the sacerdotal priesthood of the Christian Churches, is the Mano Pantea. This is the sign of benediction posed by extending the thumb and first two fingers. The ring and little fingers are folded onto the palms. This mudra can be seen in the various paintings and murals of Jesus, the Saints, and priests. In Latin countries, the Mano Pantea is also often used as an amulet against the "Evil Eye," when thus employed it is normally covered with other protective symbols as reinforcements.
An upraised thumb represents the erect phallus and is a sign for life, success, prosperity, and acceptability. In contrast, the downward pointing thumb denotes defeat and is the veto sign of condemnation or the death sentence. The middle finger solitarily extended is one of the obscene gestures vulgarly referred to as, "up yours." It signifies the command to perform an unnatural or perverse sexual act.
The famed Buddhist temple, Borobudur in the island of Java was constructed in the form of a mandala--a symbolic diagram of the cosmos. It is built in tiers, and at every level, there are numerous statues of Buddhas sitting in silent meditation. At each point of the compass the contemplative Buddhas assume a certain mudra. Those facing North bear the Abhaya (fearlessness) mudra, while those in the East show the Bhumisparsha (earth-touching) gesture. The Dana (giving) mudra is the hand pose of the Buddhas facing South, and the Dhyana (meditation) mudra of those facing West. Other mudras in the precincts of the temple are also to be found such as the Vitarka (debate) and Dharmachakraprayartana (teaching) gestures. This careful orientation of mudra bearers to compass points is symbolic. It is related to the quaternary principles to be found in the micro- and macrocosm. Comprehensive teachings concerning these may be found in the esoteric aspects of Buddhism and esotericism in general.
Symbolic marks or imprints are often found on the palms of statues and icons of Buddhas and Avatars. These marks indicate the power, virtue, or attribute of these God-incarnates. In Hinduism, Shiva appears the most with these hand drawings. Many kinds of marks exist. Several are to be found on just the palms of Gautama (Shakyamuni) Buddha alone. These palmar designs probably originated from the special marks that do physically appear on the palms. Cheiromancy identifies several of these as the square, the grille, the island, the cross or star, etc.
Hands were revered by the Hindus for centuries. One of the Shivaic tantrik rituals of India gives the following liturgical adoration to the fingers of the hands:
"Om Sham I bow to the thumbs Namah. Om Shim I bow the index fingers Svaha. Om Shum I bow to the middle fingers Vashat. Om Shaim I bow to the ring fingers Hum. Om Shaum I bow to the little fingers Vaushat. Om Shah I bow to the front and back of hands Phat."
This chant is accompanied by specific mudras that purifies the subtle channels of the upper limbs. Not only is this ritual practiced in India but variations of it may be found in Bali as well.
In the marriage ceremonies and sexual rites of Oriental cultures such as in Tantrism, Yoginis or Shaktis often paint Yantras and other symbolical diagrams on the palms of their hands with henna or red dye. These diagrams normally have intricate floral patterns and are magical and hypnotic. They are used to attract, to mesmerize, and to empower themselves and their sexual partners.
In Islamic mysticism, specific gestures are often employed to help produce an altered state of awareness. Dervishes, for instance, pose their hands in specific mudras and hand signs while dancing and whirling around on a single spot. Some Sufi sects would trace the 99 names of God on their bodies with their right hand while engaging in zikir, or recollecting and focusing upon God through constant chanting.
In ancient times there were the Mystery Schools that taught to the selected few the laws and secrets of Nature and the Universe. History has recorded numerous of these schools and temples of esoteric knowledge among which were the mysteries of Isis, Sabazius, Cybele, Eleusis, Orpheus, Mithra, Asar-Hapi, and Odin. To state the mission and purpose of these metaphysical institutions we can do no better than to quote the eminent Freemason, Robert Macoy:
"It appears that all the perfection of civilization, and all the advancement made in philosophy, sciences, and art among the ancients are due to those institutions which, under the veil of mystery, sought to illuminate the sublimest truths of religion, morality, and virtue, and impress them on the heart of the disciples. Their chief object was to teach the doctrine of one God, the resurrection of man to the eternal life, the dignity of the human soul, and to lead the people to see the shadow of the deity, in the beauty, magnificence, and splendor of the universe."
Within some of these Mystery schools, when the candidate is first initiated and accepted as a neophyte, he or she is often given an effigy of a human hand filled with symbolic images to contemplate. This hand is referred to as the Hand of the Philosopher, or the Hand of the Mysteries. When these symbols are understood, they provide the neophyte the keys to facilitate the transformation of their lower nature into divinity--from man to god. Regeneration, transmutation, and empowerment are the consequence of the application of the laws and principles that these ancient symbols represent. Among the many secrets that they portray, they teach how one may commune with one's Holy Guardian Angel, or one's Higher Self. The practitioner of the secrets of the Mysteries undergo a rebirth as a result of the growing influence and expression of the Higher Self in everyday consciousness.
The Philosopher's Hand may be regarded as an alchemical manual taking the conscientious student step by step through the alchemical process. In Freemasonry, the Hand of the Mysteries is known as the hand of the Master Mason. In some Masonic groups, this is the title for the highest of the three degrees to be found in the hoary and august fraternity. In this article we have included three examples of these symbolical hands. The first illustration shown is a bronze hand to be found in the British Museum. This specimen in the Mano Pantea gesture, is covered with several important symbols among which are : a ram's head, serpent, frog, vase, crocodile, turtle, cornucopia, scales, woman with child, table with loaves of bread, and a cane. It is supposed to be Egyptian in origin.
The second hand is a painting redrawn by J. Augustus Knapp from an 18th century water color, and is taken from Manly Hall's "Secret Teachings of All Ages"; it was executed with the alchemical process in mind. In this illustration there is a figure of a fish which symbolizes mercury--the principle of the Spirit within the microcosm. This aquatic creature is surrounded by the element of fire that represents the psychological aspect of man, or the human soul. The rest of the fingers individually refer to the various steps of the spiritual path of transmutation of the base nature of man into the resplendent gold of divinity. Kaballistically, the hand shows the mastership of the crowned thumb (the Will) over the four worlds represented by the fingers. These four worlds are referred to as Atziluth, Briah, Yetzirah, and Assiah, or the World of Archetypes, the World of Creation, the World of Formation, and the World of Manifestation. Atop of the fingertips in Knapp's illustration are symbols representing the various components of the microcosm: the lantern, the Concrete Mind; the Sun, the Abstract Mind; the Star, Buddhi; the Crown, Atma. The little finger holds aloft a philosophical key, which reveals the secrets of the Mysteries. It also symbolizes the etheric body, which is considered by Western Initiates as the key to occult development. The wings surrounding the hand is a sign for transcendentalism--the things of the Spirit as opposed to matter. The eyes, on the other hand, indicate the divine aspect of omniscience unfolded in the Master Mason after having discovered and applied the "Lost Word."
Hindu versions of the Hand of the Mysteries are diagrams known as Hastakara Yantra. Like their Western counterpart, these hands have various symbolic images depicted on them. Among other things they illustrate the relationship between man and the cosmic forces.
Like Hindu yoga, in Feng Shui, or Chinese geomancy, there are 5 elements: Water, Wood, Earth, Fire, and Metal. In Chinese palmistry the little finger is associated with air, the ring finger with fire, the middle finger with earth, the forefinger with water, and the thumb with chi or metal as mentioned before. This system differs from the Hindu yogic mudra tradition. First of all, in yoga philosophy the fifth element is akasha or space, which although correspond to chi, does not relate to metal at all. According to mudra teachings, Angutha or the thumb corresponds to fire, Tarjani or the forefinger to air, Madhyam or the middle finger to akasha, Anamika or the ring finger to earth and Kanishthika, or the little finger to water. In this work on mudras, we will stress more on the Hindu yogic assignment of the elements to the fingers and thumb. The application of elemental mudras in conjunction with the elemental tattvic tides is a great tool in elemental magick.
Hand Signs in Religious Art
Hand signs are an essential part of life. They are used to convey silently but powerfully the intention and thoughts of their user. Humanity has for ages utilized sign languages. It originated at a period of Man's evolution when he was incapable of communicating his abstract and concrete thoughts with words and phrases lingually. He was solely dependent upon gesticulations as a media for expressing his feelings and passions. This primitive form of communication is still being used by modern man in certain situations and expediency. Not surprisingly, the intelligent classes of anthropoids also make use of hand-sign movements such as the beating of the chest in expressing anger or authority. The fictitious Tarzan could not resist aping this gesture from his Darwinian guardians.
Certain specific hand signs are to be found all over the world. Many cultures preceding and succeeding the Christian era share common gestures that express particular concepts. It has been suggested that these gestures all have comparable basic ideas or significance because of their appearances in similar contexts. This is known through their repeated portrayal in the many paintings, sculptures, and drawings of the past available for our scrutiny and study. Mediaeval Christian art of saints, prophets, and the Holy Trinity, and the gods and devas of Egypt, India and the South American Indians are often depicted with similar hand positions.
Contemporarily, we find school children perpetuating certain traditional signs that have their origin in religion and pagan practices. For instance, crossing the fingers as a sort of prayer so that they may be free from chastisement when interrogated of their wrong behavior--this may be a corrupted form of the ecclesiastical use of the Sign of Benediction.
There are many professions that make use of signs only known to their members or affiliates. For instance, merchants, masons, tramps, gamblers, prostitutes--all have signs known only to themselves with which they signal one another.
Because of the profuse use of signs and gestures by the Italians in their everyday life, anthropologists believe that these descendents of Romulus and Remus are not able to carry out a satisfactory conversation if they were prevented the use of gesticulation.
Occultists believe that most gestures or hand signs that are found in religion and in society have a common origin in the prevalent Mystery Schools of the past where they were used in a ceremonial setting. Modern Freemasonry as one of the many descendents of these Occult Temples of Wisdom and Knowledge still perpetuates this custom of hand signs in their initiatory rites.
Like the Freemasons, secret societies in the Orient also have ceremonies where esoteric signs are employed. One of the secret associations of China, the Hung Society, have certain signs and gestures with which communication is carried-out among the affiliated members--not only in the ceremonies but in everyday life as well. The aforementioned society, likewise, have plentiful mudras or signs representing the principles of their philosophy. In its doctrines, the five elements of Taoist esotericism are signified by poses that are also to be found elsewhere around the globe.
The mystical Dervishes, established by the Sufi Rumi, apply hand signs for occult purposes. They invoke the Divine Presence by utilizing these signs that corresponds with the 99 names of God in their dance rituals, as already alluded to previously.
Artists of all ages have secret codes and teachings with which they unveil in their artwork. In archaic times it was a dangerous matter to openly publicize occult and spiritual teachings that religions steeped in fundamentalism were dramatically opposed to for these teachings threatened their political structure and lessen their value in the eyes of an evolving humanity. It is for this reason that the Mystery and metaphysical schools established by the ancient sages went underground and operated clandestinely. They promulgated their teachings through signs and symbols that acted on one level as their calling card.
Copyright © 2006 Luxamore
About the Author
Leonard Lee aka Luxamore
Metaphysical teacher, counseler, healer and merchant of occult/magickal items of Indonesia.
Magickal Items from Indonesia: talismans, mustika pearls, kerises, etc.
Magickal Bezoar Mustika Pearls from Indonesia.