Spiritual Meaning Of Hand Injuries

Hand injuries come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. But what really counts is the spiritual meaning of hand injuries. Knowledge of this could be a crucial factor for you to overcome them. We all know that hand injuries are a common type of injury, but what does it evoke in you? Do you think about the pain and suffering that the person has gone through? Perhaps you think about the financial strain it has put on the patient. Or perhaps you are just thinking about how this may affect a patient’s ability to play an instrument. Hand injuries have many meanings and may affect individuals in more ways than we know.

There are many spiritual meanings of hand injuries. Hand injuries are often symbolic of the emotional state of the person who experiences them, and can be a sign that you need to take care of yourself in some way. If you have a cut on your hand, it may indicate that you need to make an emotional cut—that is, a decision about how to handle a situation in your life by not being so involved with it or so affected by it. This could mean saying goodbye to someone or something that has been holding you back from moving forward with your life, or letting go of some expectation or opinion you’ve held onto for too long. If you have an injury on one side of your hand but not both, then this could be a sign that there’s something wrong with how you approach things in general: either too much involvement in something or not enough involvement in something else.

Left and Right Hand Spiritual Meaning

The concept of left and right hand spirituality can be traced back to various religious and spiritual practices throughout history. In many belief systems, the right hand is often associated with positivity, light, and righteousness, while the left hand is linked to darkness, negativity, and rebellion. Understanding the spiritual meaning of left and right hand can provide insights into different paths of spiritual development and personal growth.

1. Right Hand Path

One common interpretation of the right hand path in spirituality is the path of serving God and following divine will. Followers of this path seek to align themselves with higher powers and work towards spiritual enlightenment and purity. They often prioritize selfless acts of service, compassion, and obedience to spiritual teachings.

2. Left Hand Path

In contrast, the left hand path represents a more individualistic and self-serving approach to spirituality. Those on the left hand path might prioritize personal power, autonomy, and self-deification over submission to higher powers. This path is often associated with rebellion, independence, and the pursuit of personal gratification.

3. Baphomet Symbolism

The figure of Baphomet, as depicted by Éliphas Lévi, has become a symbol associated with the left hand path in modern occultism. Baphomet is often depicted as a goat-headed deity with both masculine and feminine features, symbolizing the unity of opposites. Some practitioners of the left hand path invoke Baphomet as a representation of personal empowerment and spiritual autonomy.

4. Biblical Perspective

In Christianity, the right hand is often associated with blessings, favor, and righteousness. In the Bible, the right hand of God is mentioned numerous times as a symbol of strength and protection. Psalm 16:8 states, “I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” This verse emphasizes the idea of divine presence and protection for those who walk the path of righteousness.

Overall, the concept of left and right hand spirituality offers a dualistic framework for understanding different paths to spiritual growth. Whether one aligns with the right hand path of service and obedience or the left hand path of personal empowerment and autonomy, the spiritual meanings associated with each can provide valuable insights into individual beliefs and practices.

Left and Right Hand Symbolism

1 The Balance ‍of Power

The⁣ left hand signifies receiving blessings and grace,⁤ while the right hand represents⁣ power and ‌authority. Injuries on either hand or both hands may symbolize ⁤a need to find balance‍ between grace and power in our lives. It reminds us‌ that we should⁣ use our power and authority with compassion and grace, aligning ourselves with divine principles.

2 Unity and Harmony

The left and right hands working together in harmony ‌represent the unity of⁢ body, mind, and ⁣spirit. When both hands are injured, it may indicate a need to restore ⁣this balance and alignment within ourselves. It serves as a spiritual invitation to integrate all aspects of our being, bringing harmony into our‍ thoughts, actions,‌ and relationships.

3 Biblical Verse – Ecclesiastes 4:9

“Two are better than one because they have⁣ a‍ good return for their labor.”

This verse illustrates the power of⁢ unity and cooperation. When we injure both our hands, it may signify the ⁤importance of collaboration and seeking support ⁢from others. We are‌ reminded that together, we can achieve more and overcome any obstacles that come ⁣our way.

Right Hand Injury Spiritual Meaning

Hand Soreness
Numerous physical conditions can cause hand pain, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, joint or tendon disorders, traumas, or other wrist concerns. The ability to use our hands deftly is essential to having a happy life. Our ability to feel is essential to our health. Our energy always seeks to flow outward and connect, touch, and form relationships with other people. However, if these encounters cause us to feel wounded, we may turn inside and withhold our love, which can lead to hand discomfort.

In general, the hands stand for our capacity for creativity. It is the process by which we create in the material world what we wish to express ourselves. In order for us to touch people, make things, and follow our hearts’ desires, the energy from our heart chakra flows through our shoulders, arms, and hands. When dealing with hand discomfort, it’s critical to consider whether we’re bringing about the world we want. With the people we love, are we holding hands? pursuing our passion as a career? Are we putting ourselves in the best possible environment?

Youngsters learn by using their hands to experience things and by getting knowledge through them. Have you given up on growing and learning? Could you take up a new study and discover a newfound passion for life?

More precisely, offering is symbolized by the right hand. Receiving is symbolized by the left hand.

The Right Hand: The Energy of the Hands
If you are experiencing pain in your right hand, consider where you are having difficulty focusing your energies. Is the individual you are gifting to someone you do not trust? Did you give too much of yourself? Do you have trouble committing to a goal? Has someone sapped your vitality and left you feeling helpless?

The macho, aggressive, assertive, and intellectual sides are also associated with the right hand. It addresses issues of reality, application, reason, and logic. The YANG side refers to the right hand.

It may be connected to our own masculinity difficulties or to the male role models in our lives, such as our husbands, fathers, sons, male friends, and male coworkers.

It might be the tension of attempting to juggle a profession and raising a family for a woman, or it can be the rivalry between men.

Do you behave in a fatherly manner? Or are you against male authority in general? Why aren’t you reaching out if you’re afraid of disappointing your father or facing his criticism?

The Left Hand’s Energy of the Hands
If you experience pain in your left hand, consider whether you can still receive. When someone compliments you, how do you feel? Do you seek assistance? Is assistance available if you ask for it?

The feminine side of us—our imaginative, artistic, compassionate, and intuitive sides—is also associated with the left hand. A left hand ache may indicate problems with your mother, wife, sister, daughter, female friend, coworker, or aspect of your femininity. We refer to this as the YIN side. A man who struggles on the left side may be struggling to express his compassionate side, cry, or provide comfort. When it comes to a woman, it can mean that she’s having trouble expressing her femininity or meeting expectations as a wife or mother.

Do you behave in a maternal manner? Are you failing to properly mother or nurture yourself?

Since every finger has a unique metaphysical meaning, pain in one finger may indicate a problem with a meridian or chakra (for further details, read my blog post about palm chakras).

If you have a dream in which you are physically abusing someone or something, it indicates that you have something important to deal with. Be it physically or in a game, to be defeated might imply that certain things in life are acceptable and others are not.

This is a caution to make sure that everyone and everything you do in life considers other people, especially other people’s feelings. We experience both happy and sad feelings in our dreams, and these kinds of dreams are about how we deal with life’s events, what’s going on, and our main goals. Being beaten, getting beaten up, or witnessing someone else get beaten can all be signs that you are losing control of yourself. or somewhat deflated, to be more precise. This dream may suggest that you are anxious about losing comfort in life, especially material comfort, if you are surrounded by supportive friends and family (in real life). These kinds of nightmares frequently happen while we’re feeling down. Nearly doubting our relationships or careers. Anxiety arises because life can be difficult at times. Good people occasionally experience bad situations, thus the first thing you should consider asking yourself is: Who do you feel has defeated you? I’ll talk about beating in terms of violence, then beating in a game, and so on.

What does it mean to dream that our kid or daughter will be beaten?

I apologize for the dream you experienced. I’ll start with this since a lot of folks have been in touch with me over it. You’re probably still disturbed by it now. I’ll do my best to assist you in understanding this. The reality that you were abusing your child in your dream can be a mirror of your own authority in real life. You’ll be happy to hear that it has nothing to do with the real event (which is not something that can be justified); rather, it is a sign that your child or another child is being abused, which is your own “inner child.” You should ask yourself the following questions: what are your main objectives, and what authority have you just relinquished?

General dream interpretation: I’ll just list every dream I’ve ever had about beating that I could find in my subscription library to a private library. To check if your dream is included, scroll down. Some of these dream interpretations are really archaic, but I prefer to keep them relevant. I have since concentrated on a few particular nightmares concerning beating. Now let’s get started. Dreams in which you triumph over others, such as when you win a game, imply that you have authority over them. This might be beneficial, but in order to benefit from it in the long run, it’s critical to treat people with dignity and respect. On the other hand, winning a game in your dream is typically a sign of good luck.

If you have had violent dreams or fights in which you are physically assaulted, this may indicate that you were escaping obligations that you voluntarily took on. It’s possible that you’re starting to see how these circumstances are keeping you from finding closure. If you beat someone or an animal in a dream, it indicates that someone is attempting to undermine your sense of stability and rationality. Any physical altercation between individuals could portend a family dispute. Watching a battle can be interpreted as a sign of healing. If you observe a fight or a beating with fists, like in boxing, or a battle between armies, your dream is auspicious. The dream in this instance portends prosperity and health. Dreams about strangers beating each other portend issues that might come your way. In dreams, beating up those who are weaker than you is a sign of difficulty or bad luck.

It is important to note that squabbling with someone in a dream does not guarantee that you will quarrel with them in real life. That hardly ever occurs. Dreams reveal more about the invisible world than the material one.

Do you frequently picture yourself in your nightmares fighting people? It is imperative that you give these dreams careful consideration, as they disclose a great deal about the spiritual aspects of your existence. Never forget that our waking lives might be impacted by the things we see in our dreams.

If you had a battle dream, the most important thing to know is whether or not you won. This element by itself can tell you a lot about your dream. Depending on whether you were victorious, fighting in your dream could be a positive or terrible sign.

Isaiah 49:25 (BSB)
In fact, the LORD declares: “I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children; even the mighty’s captives will be taken away, and the tyrant’s plunder will be retrieved.”

What does it mean to dream that you are fighting someone and coming out on top? These ones, I refer to as victory dreams. Even if you don’t instantly understand the meaning of a dream in which you battle someone and win, you may be confident that it is a positive omen because you emerged victorious.

When you battle someone in a dream but are unable to hit them, what does that mean? If you battle someone in your dream but are unable to hit them, it indicates that you are not as strong as the thing or person you are battling (spiritually). This isn’t intended to happen.

Spiritual Meaning Of Hand Injuries

Hand injuries can take many forms, such as a laceration, crushed fingers, open fractures, or loss of fingers, a thumb or the whole hand. Infections also are common with any wound, bite or laceration. Hand injuries can be seasonal: In the fall, hand injuries from harvesting are common; in the summertime, more recreational and work-related injuries occur; and in the winter, falls on ice and hand injuries from operating snow blowers lead to numerous hand and wrist injuries.

David G. Dennison, M.D., a hand surgeon at Mayo Clinic’s campus in Rochester, Minnesota, reports that while the hand surgeons at Mayo Clinic receive many urgent transfers, there are patients with injuries who can be managed initially at an outside hospital or clinic and then referred to be seen the next day. It is important to understand the urgent need of referral for some injuries and to know what conditions can be safely temporized overnight. The use of guidelines helps capture all urgent conditions and review injuries that may still need to be seen soon, perhaps the next day, if initial care can be provided at the referring hospital or clinic.

With all the potential variations in hand injuries, it is sometimes challenging to understand what the actual issue may be, as many of those calling to refer patients are often health care providers who are not trained in the care of hand injuries. Fortunately, through the Midwest Admission and Transfer Center, surrounding facilities can call to discuss cases that are in need of urgent referral.

In the following questions, Dr. Dennison responds to some of the most common issues that arise with hand injury transfer decisions in the community.

What patients need to see a hand specialist immediately? How would you suggest trauma providers decide if a patient needs to be transferred to a Level I center?

These questions can be answered using the Isolated Hand Injury Algorithm-Hand Referral for Acute Care Management graphic, which helps providers consider patient age, injury location and severity, and thumb or multiple-digit injury or amputation, all of which may identify need for transfer.

In general, ischemia, multiple digit injuries and amputations are the primary reasons for immediate transfer. It’s also important to take the patient’s age into account when considering transfer for a hand injury, especially in amputations, as consideration for replantation is greater with younger patients. Open fractures, multiple finger injuries, and complex wounds and infections also may require immediate transfer. We have found during our phone conversations that readily available pictures of the hand and wound, as well as radiographs, greatly facilitates the decision and activation of the transfer process.

At times, an injury requires a hand surgeon, but perhaps the definitive treatment can wait several hours or a day. In these types of cases, such as with a finger laceration that may include tendon injury, the initial wound care may be provided at the referring hospital with antibiotics and a splint until seen by the hand surgeon. If you have a patient with a hand injury and are in need of transfer or advice on treatment, a consult by phone may be appropriate. Referring personnel may call the Midwest Admission and Transfer Center, 507-255-2910, which will then contact the physician on call.

What should be done for a patient with a hand injury prior to transfer?

When the patient has an isolated hand injury, it is helpful to consider the following steps:

Perform an initial trauma evaluation: The patient should be hemodynamically stable for transportation.
Conduct primary care of the wound, including control of bleeding, irrigation, administration of antibiotics and elevation of the limb.
Reduce obvious deformity: Align fingers if angled or rotated.
Apply a dressing and splint.
X-ray the injury, when possible, while keeping in mind that bleeding, ischemia or amputation require immediate transfer and should not be delayed.
Amputated parts should be prepared for transportation: Wrap in saline gauze and place in a plastic bag, and then place the bag on ice.
Obtain a photo of the hand and wound, or amputated part, and also a radiograph that may be used when communicating with the Midwest Admission and Transfer Center and the hand surgeon on call.
If time does not allow for these steps prior to transfer, align the injured anatomy, apply a dressing and splint, and send the patient to the receiving trauma center.

What are some issues to be aware of with transferring a patient with a hand injury?

Mode of transport

Due to the expense and limited resources, carefully assess whether a helicopter is the appropriate method of transport for a patient with a hand injury, or whether ground transportation is adequate. The patient with a proximal amputation of the hand, wrist and forearm, where ischemia will limit the time allowed for consideration of replantation, should be transported as quickly as possible to arrive in the operating room less than six hours from the time of injury.

Patient wishes, health status and age

It is important to find out what treatment a patient may consider or desire for a hand injury, as well as whether he or she is healthy enough to benefit from surgical treatment. A pediatric patient with an amputation would always be considered for replantation, whereas an 80-year-old patient who has diabetes and a single-finger amputation may be treated with revision amputation of the finger.

What Are Your Injuries Telling You About Your Life?

Earlier this year a fascinating study highlighted the importance of optimism and its correlation to the success of heart attack recovery. The study concluded that heart attack victims who displayed the most positive and optimistic outlooks were half as likely to suffer another heart attack, die, or require surgery in the four years after their heart attack as those who displayed the most pessimistic points of view.

Countless studies have supported such a mind-body connection and the importance of a positive mental attitude (PMA) where it comes to health and healing. But it’s more than just a “can do” attitude that matters. As any good practitioner or mechanic knows, it isn’t just fixing what’s broken that’s essential. Ultimately, getting at the root of the problem is what matters. As the heart attack study points out, dissecting the emotional construct of our physicality is at the crux of wholeness and healing.

When it comes to health and fitness, I don’t believe in quackery or magic pills and potions. I have strong words for those who profit on false hopes without a basis of sound science. That said, it is not far-fetched witch doctor stuff to submit that the mind affects the cells in your body, in the same sense that what manifests in the body affects your state of mind. The human body is not simply a series of mechanical parts like a car, and we shouldn’t treat it like one.

The Body as a Metaphor

Thinking of the body as a metaphor is a good first step to establishing a deeper mind-body connection. For example, I recently injured my hamstring while I was performing a sprinter start as an exercise. I felt an immediate pull and partial tear of the muscle.

Some weeks later, as I was well into my physical rehab process, I had an appointment with a spiritual advisor. I mentioned the hamstring injury and she asked me where in my life I was ‘hamstrung.’ I responded by acknowledging a feeling of being torn in two directions in one area of my life. It then occurred to me that maybe my injury was more than just a random physical occurrence. Perhaps my body was subconsciously trying to send me a message about my life.

“It is not far-fetched witch doctor stuff to submit that the mind affects the cells in your body, in the same sense that what manifests in the body affects your state of mind.”

Admittedly, looking in to the murky abyss of emotional trauma isn’t as easy or clear-cut as analyzing the physicality of our aches and pains. But to ignore the emotional component of our wellness is akin to looking at only half of the equation of health. Deep down many of us have that nagging suspicion that somehow the body and mind are fundamentally and completely interconnected.

Yes, accidents and random occurrences are part of life, but perhaps they too have a deeper meaning. In many cultures and spiritual traditions, it’s accepted that the physical affects the mental and that the mental affects the physical. Friedrich Nietzche famously stated, “There is more wisdom in your body than in your deepest philosophies.” Yet many of us look everywhere except to the body for answers.

Metaphors for the Body and Questions for the Mind

To dig a little deeper, here are several metaphors for the body and possible key questions to consider.

Neck and Head

The meaning: Your neck literally holds up your head. Neck problems point to a metaphorical problem in holding your head up high.
Think of the phrase: “Headache”
Ask yourself: What is a headache in my life? Where am I lacking confidence?

Shoulders

The meaning: Outside of anatomy, another definition of shoulder is, “to deal with or accept something as your responsibility or duty.”
Think of the phrase: “Shouldering the load.”
Ask yourself: Where do I need to accept responsibility in my life?

Upper Back

The meaning: Problems associated with the upper back metaphorically correlate to burdens outside of your own control.
Think of the phrase: “Stabbed in the back.”
Ask yourself: What (or who) is holding me back?

Lower Back

The meaning: I read an interesting book some years ago titled Healing Back Pain by Dr. John Sarno. Sarno contends that it isn’t bulging disks or inflammation that are the root cause of back pain, but instead ‘compressed rage,’ or what Sarno refers to as Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS). Though Sarno’s hypothesis and treatment methods are not accepted by the mainstream medical community, in a peer review study, treatments of TMS showed a 54% reduction of pain, which outperformed other psychological interventions for chronic back pain.
Think of the phrase: “Bending over backwards”
Ask yourself: What burden(s) am I carrying around that I’ve repressed or not yet dealt with?

Hamstring

The meaning: Another definition of hamstring is “to damage or ruin the force or effectiveness of someone or something.”
Think of the phrase: “To get strung up.”
Ask yourself: Where am I hamstrung or limited in my ability to be effective in life?

Hips

The meaning: Hips have everything to do with flexibility and mobility. The metaphor here is obvious.
Think of the phrase: “Shoot from the hip.” (As in not thinking something through.)
Ask yourself: Where in my life am I inflexible?’

Knees

The meaning: Knee injuries are one of the most common sports and fitness injuries. According to Fox News, knee injuries comprise 55% of all sports injuries and approximately a quarter of all problems treated by orthopedic surgeons. Of course, we know the knee is the pivotal joint that allows for movement between the femur and the tibia. Metaphysically speaking, knees are similar to the hips. They represent flexibility and the ability to bend in a given set of circumstances.
Think of the phrase: “To be knee deep in something.”
Ask yourself: Where am I rigid and unable to bend in my life?

Achilles

The meaning: Perhaps the most famous of all body metaphors is the Achilles heel. To look deeper at the meaning of the Achilles, look no further than your own strength. It is sometimes in our greatest strengths where we can expose our greatest weaknesses. For instance, will power is an incredible strength, but can also be a crippling nemesis.
Think of the phrase: “Achilles heel.”
Ask Yourself: What is my greatest strength and also my shortcoming?

Feet

The meaning: Physically speaking, it’s difficult to move in life when your feet are injured. Metaphysically speaking, standing with both feet on the ground has everything to do with having a solid foundation.
Think of the phrase: “Putting the right (or wrong) foot forward.”
Ask yourself: Where am I not taking the right steps (or where am I taking the wrong steps) in life?

Emotions in Relation to Health

Ask your doctor if they feel that fear, love, anger, and optimism influence your health and wellness and I can guarantee their answer. As studies from prestigious institutions like Harvard, the Mayo Clinic, and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) substantiate, the mind affects the body.

Injuries must be physically addressed, but in order to truly heal in the long run, we need to acknowledge the role of our emotional construct. The emotional meaning behind an injury might provide insight in to the root of what ails you. Looking at your injury as a metaphor can help you do that. The body serves as wise teacher on our journey to health and wholeness if we listen to it.

Spiritual Meaning Of Hands

Looked at objectively, they seem quite unremarkable, really. Just four fingers and a thumb, with a similar set at the end of the other arm. What they do basically is grasp, touch and hold. But what a world of meaning the hand has, in both our spiritual and daily life.

Both the brain and the soul have claim upon the work of the hand. But we have to look to our language, and to scriptures, to find out just how important those connections are.Hands make things. “But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” (Isaiah 64:8.)

Hands possess things. “Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God?” asked the ancient prophet Mormon. (Mormon 5:24.)

Hands control things. “. . . after much tribulation the Lord did hear my cries, and did answer my prayers, and has made me an instrument in his hands . . .” (Mosiah 23:9.)

Hands comfort. “And how merciful is our God unto us, for he remembereth the house of Israel, both roots and branches; and he stretches forth his hands unto them all the day long. . . .” (Jacob 6:4.)

Hands promise. “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.” (I. Tim. 4:14.)

Hands bless. “Every member of the church of Christ having children is to bring them unto the elders before the church, who are to lay their hands upon them in the name of Jesus Christ, and bless them in his name.” (D&C 20:70.)

Hands heal. “And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou are loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.” (Luke 13:12-13.)

Hands confer authority. “We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.” (Fifth Article of Faith.)

A nd much more. We refer to our hands constantly in our daily speech. We talk about responsibility being put in our hands. When we like what someone has done, we give him a hand of applause. We raise our hands in support. We look for hands of friendship, seal our agreements and greet each other with a handshake. We put our hands on each others’ shoulders in support, and extend an open hand to people who need our assistance.

We look for a handhold when we start a new project or job. We hold our hands over our hearts in patriotic display, fold them in prayer, salute with them, hold them up to stop someone or to motion them to draw closer. We wave our hands in greeting and shake them in dismissal.

There’s a great difference between going hand-in-hand and being told to keep our hands off. We can join hands, or not lift a hand. We can throw up our hands or clap our hands. Whether something is in hand or out of hand matters greatly.

What we do with our hands is pretty much up to us, but there is no doubt what the Lord expects of this great marriage of mind and body. “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?

“He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.” (Psalms 24:3-4.)

Hands play an important role in some of the most important religious images, three of which encompass death, the Resurrection and the Restoration. First, who can not visualize the scene: “When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.” (Matt. 27:24.)

Another is the image of the doomed Stephen, soon to be stoned to death, “being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus, standing on the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:55.)

A third is the image conjured by the words of Joseph Smith, after he and Oliver Cowdery prayed about baptism: “While we were thus employed, praying and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light, and having laid his hands upon us, he ordained us. . . .” With that touch of the hands the great work of the Restoration began.

Finally, we have the great testimony of the Lord to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, with instructions for us all: “Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven.” (D&C 6:37.)

What Does A Hand Symbolize

The hand is the most frequently symbolized part of the human body. It can represent strength, power and protection as well as generosity, hospitality and stability, and the act of ‘shaking hands’ symbolizes both greeting and friendship.

We use our hands to demand, promise, summon, dismiss, threaten, supplicate, express aversion and fear, to question and deny: we employ them to indicate joy, sorrow, hesitation, confession and penitence, to measure quantity, number and time. Hand gestures vary as symbols. They can bless, consecrate, transfer guilt and bestow healing. We raise them to swear honesty, love, adoration and salutation; clasp them to embrace peace, alliance and friendship; associate them with negligence, arrogance, purification, cleanliness and innocence. Using them we are able to excite and prohibit as well as express approval, wonder and shame.

It is little wonder that hands are said to speak.