Category Posture of the figure

The hand posture as well as the posture of the figure, e.g. sitting, standing, bent, dancing, meditating.

abhanga

slight flexion (in the standing pose of a figure)

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

alidha

the pose of a warrior, with his right leg bent forward and left drawn back (cf. pratyalidha)

ananda-tandava

dance pose; ‘dance of bliss’ – associated with South Indian representations of Shiva Nataraja, especially processional bronze images

anantasana

Triangular in shape; it is usually used when viewing sports and amusements

anchita-gana

a gana with graceful flexion

angaharas

bodily gryations in a dance pose

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

ardha-paryanka

seated with both legs on the seat, one raised up and the other bent

ardha-paryankasana

seated with both legs on the seat, one raised up and the other bent

ardha-yogapatta

hand around one bent leg in meditative pose

ardha-yogasana

meditative mode of seat with ardha-yogapatta

asamyuta

single hand in dance gesticulation

asamyuta-hasta

single hand in dance gesticulation

asana

seated pose; alternatively, a kind of seat

atibhanga

multi-flexed pose

bhujanga-trasita

‘scared by snake’, a dance-pose suggesting movement away from a snake out of fear

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.

chatura

a dance-pose, with the left foot slightly raised but still touching the ground; lit. clever

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

meditation or hands in meditation; 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 samadhi.

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 →

dvibhanga

duoflex pose

gaja-hasta

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

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

mode of hand suggestive in dance, single asamyuta or double samyuta (cf. mudra)

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.

karanas

dance pose; classified and codified dance movements

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.

kayotsarga

Kayotsarga means to give up one’s physical comfort and body movements, thus staying steady, either in a standing or other posture, and concentrating upon the true nature of the soul.

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.

kurmasana

Oval in shape and is made of wood; it has the face and the feet of a tortoise

lalitasana

relaxed sitting posture with one leg pendant, the other bent at the knee

lalitha

dance pose; graceful form

maharaja-lilasana

sitting posture with one leg folded at the hip, touching the thigh of the other, which hangs with the heels slightly raised above the pedestal which is touched only by the toe or a few fingers

maharajalila

a royal pose of sitting at ease; seated pose of ease like a king, with the right hand resting on the knee of the bent right leg

makarasana

Contrived like a Makara, a seamonster

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.

pada-svastika

crossed legs

padmasana

Lotus pose: a seated pose of ease with the legs crossed and feet resting on the thighs with the soles turned up; alternativly, the lotus shaped seat or pedestal and is generally used for worship (also padma-pitham)

paryanka-bandha

legs bound in a strap for so they stay easily kept in a yogic meditation pose (cf. yoga-patta)

paryankasana

seated pose with legs locked over seat

pratyalidha

warrior’s pose, the opposite of alidha

samabhanga

a posture in which the figure is shown without flexions of the body (see also abhanga, tribhanga)

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.

samapada

straight pose with feet together

samyuta

double hand in dance gesticulation

samyuta-hasta

double hand in dance gesticulation

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

sarbamudra

a pose like a hooded serpent

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.

sukhasana

seated at ease

tandavakaranas

dance poses

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.

tribhanga

literally ‘triple-bent’; triflex (in the standing pose of a figure); consisting of three bows (neck, hips and knees) existing posture of a figure in the form of an ‘S’, she is considered graceful and sensual; exaggerated contrapposto

utkutika

a pose of the leg tucked up on the seat

utkutikasana

seated with a bent leg raised on the seat itself and the other dangling

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

vimalasana

Hexagonal in shape and is used when offerings are to be made

virasana

hero’s seated pose with one leg on the other

vishva-padmasana

also viśva-padmasana; double-petalled lotus pedestal

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

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 →

yoga-patta

a band-strip for binding the legs in a meditation pose (cf. paryanka-bandha)

yogasana

meditative pose; alternativly, the octagonal shaped seat or pedestal; it is used for worship

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