myths symbols sandplay

Gestures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

J.C. Cooper, in An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Traditional Symbols, offers the following information regarding gestures of the hand:

On the breast – submission, the attitude of a servant or slave

Clasping – union, mystic marriage, friendship, allegiance

Folded – repose, immobility

Covering the eyes – shame or horror

Crossed at the wrist – binding or being bound

Laying on – transference of power and grace or healing

On the neck – sacrifice

Open – bounty, liberality, justice

Clenched – threat, aggression

Outstretched – blessing, protection, welcome

Placed in another’s – pledge of service, the right hand pledges the life principal

Placed together – defenselessness, submission of the vassal before the sovereign, inferiority, inoffensiveness, greeting, allegiance

Placed on each other palm upward – meditation, receptiveness

Raised – adoration, worship, prayer, salutation, amazement, horror, also receiving of the influx of power

Raised with palm outwards – blessing, divine grace and favor,

Both hands raised – supplication, weakness, an implication of ignorance, dependence, surrender, also invocation and prayer

Raised to head – thought, care

Shaking the hand – forms the cross or ankh of covenant, a pledge

Washing hands – dinner innocence, purification, repudiation of guilt

Wringing hands – excessive grief or lamentation

Hand Symbolism Part 1

The symbolism of the hand is rich and varied. According to Jobes the hand represents amity, authority, benediction, construction, divine grace, divine presence, faith, force, greeting, honor, labors, mastery, oath, pledge, usefulness, vigor, and work. The fingers, the thumb, and the palm all have their individual symbolism. Hands made of gold, studded with jewels, or of glass or base metals, have been revered as talismans against evil influences (Jobes). Cirlot writes, "two hands joined signifies mystic marriage-the Jungian individuation" and "In Jung's opinion, the hand is endowed with a generative significance". In alchemical images, the king’s left hand grasping the queen’s left hand "may refer to the unconscious character of their union but that it may also be indicative either of affection or superstition" (pg. 137).

Walker writes, "The hand with an eye in the palm was shown in the Oriental fear-dispelling gesture by certain Tibetan bodhisattvas, and also, half a world away, in the symbols of the Native American mound builders. The entire field of palmistry is summed up in this symbol implying that insight is to be found in the palm of the hand. Walker goes on to state that the oriental "eye of mercy" can be linked to the pierced hands of crucified saviors. Following is a list of hand symbolism.

American Indian – denotes supplication to the master of life or Great Spirit; the use of universal hand gestures and sign language helped unite the linguistically divided Indian nations and allowed for communication

Buddhist – Buddha’s hand symbolizes protection; "with the palm upward it represents unlimited giving; in Buddhist iconography the right hand of Buddha touches the earth, depicting his lordship over it, calling the earth to witness; it is the active pole. His left hand, holding the alms bowl, or turning upwards, is receptivity and surrender; the passive pole" (Cooper, pg. 78)

Celtic – the "long hand" of Lugh represents the rays of the sun

China – symbol of longevity, called shou

Christian – the hand of blessing represents God, the Father, and the Divine Logos; rising from a cloud denotes the power of the Father; "Christian authorities claim that witches transferred the ‘hand of blessing’ to the left, though this was perhaps the pagan custom from the beginning. Christian Europe also demonstrated great fear of the witches’ so-called Hand of Glory, said to be the severed hand of an executed criminal, steeped in beeswax and made into a candle with a flame at the tip of each finger. Such an article would have been difficult to manufacture, to say the least, so it was probably just one more of the witch-hunters’ macabre fantasies" (Walker, pg. 315); in art, the hand represents "descent from heaven to earth or reascent to heaven or descent to the grave and then ascent to heaven" (Jobes, pg. 721); when three fingers are extended, symbol of the three hypostases, the three-fold benediction

Egypt – symbol of fortitude and handicraft; in the "Egyptian tongue, the term designating the hand was related to that for pillar (or a support, or strength) and for the palm. In esoteric doctrine, the position of the hand in relation to the body, and the arrangement of the fingers, convey certain precise symbolic notions" (Cirlot); represents manifestation, action, donating and husbandry; in Egyptian hieroglyphics the open hand represents magnetic force

Greek – "the votive Hand of Sabazios, has the thumb and first finger extended, with the third and fourth fingers crooked (the Cornuto), and has on it the cone, snake, cross, crescent, caduceus, lizard, insects" (Cooper); represents the helping hand of the god, protection, healing, blessing

Continued in Hand Symbolism Part 2

Hand Symbolism Part 2

Continued from Hand Symbolism Part 1

Hebrew – bestowal of a blessing, consecration to office, or divine gifts; "the hands of the high-priest [are] laid upon the scapegoat, as if transferring the guilt of the people to the animal" (Jobes, pg. 717); symbol of obedience, submission to God; right hand out-stretched symbolizes assistance; placed on left shoulder denotes anxiety, hope, martyrdom, sacrifice; charm against ill luck and the source of the superstition of throwing a pinch of salt over the left shoulder; when three fingers are extended, symbol of the three hypostases, the three-fold benediction

Heraldry – symbol of the pledge of faith; equated with hind of dawn and hound of heaven

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hindu – both Hindus and Buddhists use a system of hand gestures, called mudras, comprised of more than 500 gestures used in dance and rituals; the mudras are the manual expression of divine power; the hands of Siva are the uplifted hand meaning peace and protection, the lowered hand depicts deliverance, the hand beating the drum is the creative act, the hand with the flame symbolizes the destruction of the world by fire

Islamic – Use as an amulet; "according to Berber thought, the hand signifies protection, authority, power, and strength" (Cirlot); the hand is depicted with the star, the dove, a bird, the fan, the zigzag, and the circle; the open hand represents benediction, adoration, hospitality; the hand of providence and generosity; as the Hand of Fatima "the thumb is the Prophet and the fingers are his four companions, the first the lady Fatima, second Ali her husband, third and fourth Hasan and Hussein, their sons. The fourth finger is also spiritual and moral excellencies and the five together are the five fundamental dogmas and the five pillars of religion" (Cooper, pg. 79)

Mandaen – the gnostic religious group, which originated in Jordan, believe they descended from John the Baptist; they join hands in ceremonies to symbolize truth and faithfulness

Manichean – a religious group, whose doctrine is based on the separation of matter and spirit and of good and evil; originating in 3^rd century Persia, they combine elements of Zroastrinism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Gnosticism; shaking the right hand denotes the saving power of the deity

Native American – "In Yupik Eskimo stories and masks, the thumbless hand with holes in the palms is a motif representing impaired grasp. On masks it also represents the spirits (tunghak) willingness to release an abundance of animals for hunting. Hands are responsible for connecting the human world and the world the inuas of the animals dwell" (Gill & Sullivan, pg. 116) no quotes. Inuas: Eskimo; an independent human like entity, sometimes described as a spirit, which is possessed by all living things–not only plants and animals, but also mountains, bodies of water, and air

Roman – Mano Pantea, the Hand of the All–Goddess; carved examples depict the hand with thumb and the first two fingers raised in a blessing gesture; often engraved or encrusted with magical symbols and signs of the zodiac; the raised fingers stood for the Goddess and God respectfully; "The magic mother finger–which points, and cast spells–and the phallic father finger were also part of the Egyptian Amulet of the Two Fingers, which invoked the protection of parental spirits; the thumb stood for the child (Horus); Moslems adopted the Mano Pantea as "Hand of Fatima" (Walker, pg. 315); The manus symbolized the authority of the pater familias and of the Emperor

Sumero-Semitic – the hand is an attribute of the Great Mother as a bounteous giver and protector

Toltec – the long hand of Huemac represents the rays of the sun

See Biblioraphy for references

 

Symbolism of the Thumb

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the symbolism of the hand, the thumb is the symbol of the Child. The index finger is the Mother and the middle finger is the Father. The thumb and first two fingers raised is the hand of blessing. "The yogi’s mystic gesture places the index finger and the thumb together, while the other three fingers extend and make the sign for a triad. This was once the expression of the unity of mother and child under the protection of the triple Goddess, connoting security, love, blessings and other fortunate qualities" (Walker, pg. 326). According to Hindu scriptures, each person's soul is a small manikin the size of a thumb, living inside the heart, performing in ongoing dance felt as the heartbeat. Walker writes, "This thumb-soul is ‘the lord of time, past and future’ ".

In Catholicism, the thumb is the symbol of the chief person of the Godhead. "The thumb, the master or phallus finger is assigned to Venus as bringer and increase" (Jobes, pg. 717). Seal rings were worn on the thumb and represented virility and authority. According to Cooper, "Power and transmission of power; the thumb upwards is beneficent power, good luck, and good will; downwards it is the reverse" (pg. 172).

Bite the thumb – a sign of contempt

Rule of thumb – measurement by thumb, hence any procedure based on instinct or practical experience and not on science

Under one's thumb – under another's influence or control

Vestal's thumbs – in Roman times, turned up or down to save or the gladiator’s life

photo from https://organicallyjamie.com

See Bibliography post for references.

Map of the Hand

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In A Dictionary of Symbols, J. E. Cirlot states, "Of great importance is the fact that the hand has five fingers, firstly, because if its broad analogy with the human figure (composed of four extremities plus the head) and, secondly, by reason of the symbolism of the number five (denoting love, health and humanity)" (pg. 137). The meaning or symbolism of the hand is explained by Gertrude Jobes, "The palm heel is assigned to the underworld goddess, the center is assigned to Mars as it grips weapons and its principal lines form the initial M. The forefinger, digit or index finger is that of direction, fortunate guidance, or rule, assigned to Jupiter. Called furze or oak finger. The middle or fool’s finger assigned to Saturn, the Christmas Folly, and death. Called heather thinker. The fourth or wedding ring finger is also that of the leech or physic, and anciently physicians mixed medications with it on the theory no poison could adhere to it without communicating information. Assigned to Apollo, the healer, called gold or poplar finger. The small or ear finger, anciently was used by priests to stop the ear as an aid to inspiration, thus a divinatory finger. Assigned to mercury as a conductor of dead souls into the yew tree" (pg. 717).

In Catholicism, the third finger represents Christ and salvation as it is the tallest finger; the index finger symbolizes the Holy Ghost; the "two remaining fingers denote respectfully the divine and human nature of Christ" (Jobes). Walker writes "Our common symbol for silence, placing the finger on the lips, dates back to a Greek understanding of an Egyptian god. To the Egyptians, the newborn sun of each day was the child Horus, shown at dawn as a small toddler sucking on his finger. The Greeks took this as an image of secrecy concerning his Mysteries, enjoining silence. They called the child Horus Harpocrates, God of Silence, and invoked him by the finger-to-mouth gesture" (pg. 310). In Greek lore, the index finger on the mouth is the symbolic attitude of Polyhymnia, the muse responsible for songs and dances to the deities, and Nemesis, the goddess of punishment and vengeance. Commonly, the index finger was used to curse enemies and currently it is considered rude to point with the index finger or to shake it at someone.

In Greek mythology, the Dactyls were spirits born from the goddess Rhea’s fingerprints when she gave birth to Zeus. From her right hand spring five male Dactyls and from her left, five female Dactyls. There is a question of which Dactyl is associated with which finger. "According to some systems, the index finger, middle, ring, and little fingers were assigned to Apollo, Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury, respectively. Others referred to call them Jupiter, Saturn, Apollo, and Mercury; another instance of Goddess-erasure. However, the Venus/Apollo finger is still connected with the mythic ‘love vein’ and wears the wedding ring" (Walker).

"A hand with three fingers, or a mutilated hand, depicts the phases of the moon; with fingers extended and ending in the sun’s rays it is the life-giving power from heaven or the sky" (Copper, pg. 78). In Christian art, a hand emerging from a cloud represents divine power.

Hand image from:  https://www.prints-online.com/palmistry-map-hand-570381.html

Left and Right Hand Symbolism

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The hand is the body part most frequently depicted in symbol. Hans Biedermann writes in Dictionary of Symbolism that "tracings of the hand in Ice Age cave temples (along with other evidence) suggest that humans have always been predominately right-handed. It is probably for this reason that the right hand side has been treated predominately as better and luckier than the left" (pg.  283). The right arm holds the sword and is aggressive while the left hand holds the warrior’s shield and represents passivity. The left is also "The non-aggressive hand associated with decay, death, weakness. In the East, to except anything with the left hand is an affront, as it is considered vile" (Jobes, pg. 71). The left hand is also associated with deviousness.

In Tibetan tradition, the hand is symbolic of the holiness of an incarnate lama; the left hand grasping the right at the center of the waist in ancient Sumer was a posture of prayer. Pointing downward, the hand denotes the calling on the earth to witness (Jobes, pg. 721). The right hand represents Deity. The aggressive hand, hand of growth and strength. Right hand laid on a person conveys authority, blessings, power, strength. Right hand lifted to heaven, and oath, swearing" (Jobes). The right or left is not always opposite. In the Cabala, both hands have positive meanings. The right hand symbolizes the hand of blessing and mercy while the left hand is the hand of the king and represents justice. The right hand is also associated with rectitude.

In Africa, circumcised boys point their right hand to heaven, left hand touching the earth, to call upon the earth to witness their status of adulthood and for membership into the tribe, called the heaven and earth or witness sign. In China, the right hand is yang and strong and in time of war the hand of honor, which holds the sword; the left hand is yin and honor.

Hands in the Sand

 

 

 

 

 

 

An image of hands in the sand has stayed with me since I read an article in the Journal of Sandplay Therapy written by Mary Jane Markell. The title of the article is The Manifestation of the Compassionate Heart. Markell writes about the transformative process of sandplay, the subtlety of inner and outer change, the mind-body, the concept of our original nature, and healing and health.

The image is striking; two hands in the center of the tray, along with two feet and a skull. The images made by the client with her own hands, feet and face; impressions in the sand, embellished with items from nature, the fingers depicted by the use of colorful beads. "The left foot contains stones from mesas and cliffs of Southwest America. The left hand contains a spiral mollusk shell millions of years old" (pg. 60). The palm of the right hand contains one large flat grey rock and two smaller shiny black rocks. I believe the thing that has stayed with me is that the client put herself in the tray, literally; the items are naturally, profoundly beautiful; and the result is a powerful image.

Journal of Sandplay Therapy, Volume VI, Number 1, 1997

Artists' Hands

Hands. Hard-working. Expressive. Creative.

I often think about the time I visited an art gallery in Pasadena, which featured the work of a photographer who had taken pictures of hands. The black and white photographs showcased the hands of famous artists, potters, weavers, metal workers, etc. The hands were photographed against dark fabric so the viewer was left to contemplate the hands and imagine their role in the creative process. My favorite photographs in the exhibition were hands coated with clay, or marked with paint, or stained with fabric dye. All the hands pictured in the exhibition were part of the creative process as they brought the artist's vision to reality.

When I think of clients selecting and placing miniatures in the sandplay tray, I observed how they approached the miniatures and the developing sand scene. And, because they worked at my eye level, I could watch the action of their hands as they worked to create their scene and reveal their process.