Category Hand-pose

Hand pose

abhaya

hand suggestive of protection (cf. abhaya-mudra and abhaya-hasta)

abhaya-hasta

a gesture granting freedom from fear – finger pointing (cf. abhaya)

abhaya-mudra

hand-pose assuring protection (cf. abhaya); gesture of fearlessness, reassurance and protection offered by deity to devotee, with right hand displayed palm outwards and fingers raised

anjali

hands clasped in adoration

anjali-mudra

a pose of anjali with the palm of the hands joined together near the chest; ‘two handfuls’ – pose with hands clasped together in respectful greeting and adoration, characteristic of subordinate deities, attendant gods and devotees

ardha-chandrahasta

hands in crescent moon-like form to hold fire

bhumisparsa

(cf. bhusparsa); The attitude of ‘touching the earth’, calling her to witness of virtue of Gautama. In this hand-pose, the right hand is placed over the right knee. The hand, with palm inward, all fingers down, touches the lotus seat… Continue Reading →

bhusparsa

(cf. bhumisparsa); The attitude of ‘touching the earth’, calling her to witness of virtue of Gautama. In this hand-pose, the right hand is placed over the right knee. The hand, with palm inward, all fingers down, touches the lotus seat… Continue Reading →

bhutadamara

The hand pose that inspires awe. In this, the wrists are crossed in front of the chest. It is one of the mudras of Vajrapani.

buddhasramana

This is the hand-pose of salutation. In this, the hand is held level with the head, with the palm facing up and all fingers fully extended. It is the mudra of Vasudhārā and Usnisavijaya.

chin-mudra

hand connoting knowledge; In this hand-pose, the tips of the thumb and the forefinger touch each other to form a circle, while the other fingers are kept open. The palm faces outwards. This is the hand-pose of teaching or exposition…. Continue Reading →

danda-hasta

hand held straight like a stick (cf. kari-hasta and gaja-hasta)

dharmachakra

The hand-pose of preaching the Law. It signifies the turning of the Wheel of Law. In this hand-pose, both the hands are held against the chest, the left hand covering the right. (cf. dharmachakrapravartana-mudra) It is the mudra of Gautama,… Continue Reading →

dharmachakrapravartana-mudra

hand suggesting the first turning of the wheel of law by Buddha at Sārnāth (cf. dharmachakra)

dhyana-mudra

In this gesture of the hand, the palm of the right hand is placed in the palm of the left hand. Both hands rest on the crossed legs of the seated image. This is the hand gesture of meditation and… Continue Reading →

gaja-hasta

hand held straight like a stick (see also danda-hasta and kari-hasta)

garuda-mudra

Garuḍa (Sanskrit: गरुड) or Garuḍamudrā is the name of a hand-pose.

govala

posture of the hand hanging down in the manner of the tail of a cow

harina-mudra

In this hand-pose, a ring is formed by joining the thumb with the middle and ring fingers. The indes and little fingers are kept straight.

hasta

Hasta (हस्त) or Hastamudrā refers gestures and movements of hands (cf. mudra) and is one of the three subdivisions of pratimalakshana (postures of icons); hand poses; mode of hand suggestive in dance, single asamyukta or double samyukta; The three kinds… Continue Reading →

hasta-svastika

hands crossed

jnana-mudra

In this hand gesture, the tips of the middle or index finger and of the thumb are joined together and held near the chest, with the palm turned inward.

kari-hasta

hand held straight like a stick (see also danda-hasta and gaja-hasta)

kartari

a holding gesture; In this hand-pose the hand is kept level with the shoulder. The thumb and the ring finger form a ring and the index and middle fingers are kept straight up to look like the horn of a… Continue Reading →

kartari-hasta

In this hand-pose the hand is kept level with the shoulder. The thumb and the ring finger form a ring and the index and middle fingers are kept straight up to look like the horn of a deer, in which… Continue Reading →

kartari-mudra

the gesture of kartari; In this hand-pose the hand is kept level with the shoulder. The thumb and the ring finger form a ring and the index and middle fingers are kept straight up to look like the horn of… Continue Reading →

kartari-mukha

fingers of the hand held like a pair of scissors to hold an object; In this hand-pose the hand is kept level with the shoulder. The thumb and the ring finger form a ring and the index and middle fingers… Continue Reading →

kataka

a pose of holding between the closed fingers; In this hand-pose, the tips of the fingers are loosely joined to the thumb to form a ring. This is done with a view to inserting a fresh flower in the hand… Continue Reading →

kataka-hasta

the pose of hand in kataka; In this hand-pose, the tips of the fingers are loosely joined to the thumb to form a ring. This is done with a view to inserting a fresh flower in the hand of the… Continue Reading →

kataka-mukha

hand in an attitude of holding a lily; In this hand-pose, the tips of the fingers are loosely joined to the thumb to form a ring. This is done with a view to inserting a fresh flower in the hand… Continue Reading →

kati-hasta

This is the pose of ease. The arm hangs loose and the hand is placed on the waist. Also called Katyavalambita.

katyavalambita

pose in which the hand is held straight below the hip; This is the pose of ease. The arm hangs loose and the hand is placed on the waist. Also called Kati-hasta.

ksepana

This is the gesture for sprinkling ambrosia. In this hand-pose are joined palm to palm, with the tips of the index fingers touching and turned down towards the vase containing nectar. It is the mudra of Nāmasangīti.

mudra

gesture of the hand; hand poses (cf. hasta)

namaskara

This is the attitude of adoration or prayer. The two hands are kept close to the chest, touching palm to palm, in an attitude of prayer.

pratima-lakshana

Pratima-lakshana or Pratimalakshana refers to the ‘body postures of the icons’, as defined according to texts dealing with shilpa (arts and crafs), known as shilpashastra. The body postures are classified into three divisions: kai-amaiti or hasta (hand gestures), asana (the… Continue Reading →

pratimalakshana

Pratimālakṣaṇa (प्रतिमालक्षण) or Pratima-lakshana refers to the ‘body postures of the icons’, as defined according to texts dealing with shilpa (arts and crafs), known as shilpashastra. The body postures are classified into three divisions: kai-amaiti or hasta (hand gestures), asana… Continue Reading →

samadhi

The attitude of meditation. In this hand-pose, both hands are placed on the lap, right hand on left, with the fingers fully extended and the palm facing upwards. Also called yoga-mudra or dhyana.

sandarsana-mudra

hand-pose in the attitude of teaching or exposition; In this hand-pose, the tips of the thumb and the forefinger touch each other to form a circle, while the other fingers are kept open. The palm faces outwards.

santi

similar to abhaya

simhakarna-mudra

In this hand-pose, the tips of the fingers are loosely joined to the thumb to form a ring. This is done with a view to inserting a fresh flower in the hand of the icon every day. (cf. Kataka, Kataka-hasta… Continue Reading →

suchi-hasta

hand with pointing finger in terrifying attitude; In this hand-pose, the projected forefinger points to an object below.

tarjani

hand in attitude of threatening; In this hand-pose, the projected forefinger points to an object above. It is also used for warning or scolding someone.

tarpana

The hand-pose of homage. The arm is kept level with the shoulder. The palm is turned in, and the fingers slightly bent and point towards the shoulders. This is the mudra of Namasangīti.

uttarabodhi

This is the hand-pose of perfection. In this all the fingers are locked, palms together, with the thumbs and the index fingers touching at the tips, with the fingers extended upwards. It is the mudra of Gautama and Namasangīti.

vajrahumkara

This is symbolic of the Supreme and Eternal Buddha. The wrists are crossed at the chest and hold the vajra and ghanta (thunderbolt and bell).

vara

The hand-pose which confers grace or boon. In this gesture of the hand, the palm of the hand with fingers extended downward, is held below the waist, as far as the hand can reach.; see varada, varada-hasta and varada-mudra

varada-hasta

a hand lowered; palm forward, fingers pointing downwards; The hand-pose which confers grace or boon. In this gesture of the hand, the palm of the hand with fingers extended downward, is held below the waist, as far as the hand… Continue Reading →

varada-mudra

hand-pose conferring a boon; The hand-pose which confers grace or boon. In this gesture of the hand, the palm of the hand with fingers extended downward, is held below the waist, as far as the hand can reach.; see vara

vismaya

This hand-pose is indicative of astonishment and wonder. In the hand-gesture, the fore-arm is lifted and the palm turned inward with the fingers spread out in a circular manner to denote inquiry.

vitarka

The mudra of argument. In this hand-pose, the thumb and index finger are joined to make a ring. All the other fingers are extended upwards.

vyakhyana

hand gesture of explanation, especially associated with Shiva and his followers

vyakhyana-mudra

hand-pose in the attitude of teaching or exposition; In this hand-pose, the tips of the thumb and the forefinger touch each other to form a circle, while the other fingers are kept open. The palm faces outwards.

yoga-mudra

Yogamudrā (Sanskrit: योगमुद्रा), In this gesture of the hand, the palm of the right hand is placed in the palm of the left hand. Both hands rest on the crossed legs of the seated image. This is the hand gesture… Continue Reading →

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