Can someone tell me what this hand signal means?

  • Thread starter Thread starter J M
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J M

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I have seen a lot of old paintings (mostly old catholic paintings) with the person in it making hand signs but this particular hand sign I see most often and I've been curious to know what it means but I can't seem to find anything on it. Hopefully someone out there can direct me in the right direction. Click on the link below for the picture.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Alexander_of_Alexandria.jpg
 
It is a form of blessing a way to depict the cross, touching on the idea of the trinity see below---

http://altreligion.about.com/library/glossary/symbols/bldefschristogram.htm
"""This is a gesture known as the Christogram, and is considered the original "sign of the cross." The fingers are positioned to form the Greek letters ICXC, an abbreviation of the Greek name of Christ: IHCOYC XRICTOC. This gesture is unbiquitous in Renaissance images of Christ and the apostles, as well as in portraits of Saints and clergy.
The Christogram is used today as a traditional gesture of blessing by priests in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Curiosly, the same gesture is known in Hindu and Buddhist traditions as the prana mudra, a symbol of healing. ""

Peace///////////\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\//////////////////////////////////
 
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