The Symbolism of the Hand and fingers

When does a hand gesture mean something spiritual and when is it just a mundane signal with no spiritual meaning at all? Hand gestures in portraits, statues, paintings and other works of art, have been one of the most effective ways of conveying secrets, codes and messages. The water is further muddied once one realises that "Mudra" is a Sanskrit term that means "gesture" or "attitude" and they too have been reused and adapted to send messages. Portraits have been painted of wealthy people indicating, or implying, they had been schooled in eastern methods - whether they had or hadn't. The sign became a status symbol. But many well used mundane signs were derived from mudras, so this is not a straightforward subject. Mudras have a genuine purpose when combined with the breathing techniques used in yoga. And since various points on the hand are believed to be acupressure points, it should be clear that we should use these signs with care. In this video we explore this area, including both lesser and well known symbols - such as Namaste, the Anjali Mudra and Prayer.
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CREDITS

BACKGROUND AND ADDITIONAL REFERENCES
A list of ordinary gestures with their mundane meanings is provided by Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_gestures
Yogapedia has information on the mudras that can be accessed using this link. It indicates that there are around 400 known mudras
https://www.yogapedia.com/dictionary/tags/mudra

PAINTINGS AND PRINTS
Lucien Lévy-Dhurmer – Le Silence
Jean-Léon Gérôme - Pollice Verso (1872),
Frans Hals – Head of a boy with his finger pointing up
Vitarka mudra by 'monica'
Angelo Bronzino – portraits
Christopher columbus - Sebastiano del piombo 1519

VIDEO/AUDIO EFFECTS AND FOOTAGE

Women ok hand gesture - New Free Stock Footage
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=wQE5Zc2MKso

NO SAYING
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=UA1k0h7lpck

Happy Smiling Young Indian Man Thumbs Up
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=MOXVp8rQYZc

Video Background Stock Footage Free
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=dG8sdPtNaWU

OK hand gesture - New Free Stock Footage
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=2qv9sI8o9zM

Young Women OK Gesture
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=HwcVoLm9_Q8

Women Ok Gesture - New Free Stock Footage
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=usqYC5qPfDI

namaste sunset free stock footage
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=IDzpb88U4T0

How to say 'I love you' using sign language
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=nhzktuzXTFI

How to Sign I Love You - Sign Language - ASL
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=jzJjdvTF10A

Monday Mudras ✨ Warding off negative energy, removing blockages and lifting mood ✨
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=xVgMMOUWTFU

Close up of hand mudra
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=gQK2WjgPML0

Chin Mudra
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=OHfTOQSDGLk

Mudras for meditation
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=T1YfrcwVg-s

Caballero de la mano en el pecho
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=8zItuXKHCkQ

FEARLESS MUDRA- ABHAYA MUDRA
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=fp5r22RWOus

Mudra Moments - Prana Mudra
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=MAVOmRyhY8M

The Aaronic Blessing
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=o2KwoddC2s4

Guided Meditation: Anahata Chakra Healing - Love, Compassion, Forgiveness
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=A8VwGyhcOKU

Suchi Mudra
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=8m2bNPrfJ90

Neon Light Sound Effect - Stutter, Turn On and Turn Off
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=UzU6vzQSvMg

Touch Fingers Hands Touching Arms Silver Abstract No Copyright Video
https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=HwlMJMxZ9NE

MUSIC

00:00 Space Chatter - Doug Maxwell_Media Right Productions
00:51 Watercolor Lilies - Aaron Kenny
03:30 Fresh Fallen Snow - Chris Haugen
06:33 Vespers on the Shore - Mini Vandals
08:20 A Quiet Thought - Wayne Jones
09:51 Yoga Style - Chris Haugen
12:24 Nidra in the Sky with Ayler - Jesse Gallagher
14:43 Thunder Chant - E's Jammy Jams
15:28 Calcutta Sunset - E's Jammy Jams
17:39 Space Chatter - Doug Maxwell_Media Right Productions