Why do we use our right hand to make the sign of the cross?

Question

The other day my son used his left hand to make the sign of the cross. I corrected him and told him to use his right hand. He asked me was it because Jesus was right handed? I did not know why we use our right hand instead of the left hand.

Answer 1

i didn't realise that there was any particular way to make the sign,i've seen many different people use both hands!

and if you're making the sign of the cross to ward off evil spirits you use both hands and it doesn't matter which is in front!

Answer 2

It dates back to a time when peole held the superstition that the left hand was sinister, or evil. People still hold to this belief. Just ask "Granny" -who posted above.

Nowadays, making the sign of the cross on the human body is done with the right hand more as a tradition rather than a sign of a closeness with the holy or divine. The ultimate answer for your faith should be answered by your priest. I would also urge you to find out if your son is left-handed, and whether you think your son is evil because he uses his left hand.

Most of us are given the gift of using both hands. Many, if not all of us use both hands in our daily lives - to type on our computers, the carry things, to create works of art.

I ask you this: How can such an obvious gift be considered a static device of evil? I've said it before, I'll say it again, who are we to question the work of God (if you believe in God)?

Footnote: In some countries the left hand is used in lieu of toilet paper. I suppose that doesn't help the cause of my response, but it does give you a clear indication of just how prevelant this "Left=evil" has carried over into modern times... and even in our political systems.

Answer 3

There are distinct strategies of creating the signal of the go, they typically determination between Christian denominations. till now the great Schism of 1054 the signal of the go replaced into gestured through at the starting up making a triangular structure with the guidelines of the thumb, middle finger and index finger (this symbolized the Holy Trinity). Then a action replaced into made, first to the forehead then to the right shoulder, the left shoulder and finally the tummy. this technique remains used through the Orthodox Church. The Catholic church besides the indisputable fact that replaced the action after the Schism to copy the way the Pope blessed people. an illustration of the go is often made with a hand signal (often in the Orthodox Church). as an get jointly, raising your hand and having 2 or 3 hands outstretched symbolizes the Trinity and how of crossing. a number of those gestures are often used between Slavonic international locations as nationalistic salutes.

Answer 4

The left hand is the sign of the devil. Why, because it is different. Left handed people use to be taught to use their right hand for this reason.

Answer 5

'...on their right hand they have the mark of the beast". The Bible mentions something like that. NEways, it propably goes back to superstition. Honestly, there is no need to make a sign of the cross, that's another superstion. Following the commandments of God is all you need.

Answer 6

Isn't that some kind of Roman Catholic superstition? For that cross sign thing does nothing for any person.

Answer 7

i don't know excatly what ur talking about but in sign language: probally because the man on the right when Jesus was dying got saved and went to heaven but i don't know that 4 sure

Answer 8

Goes back to the superstition that the left side is the devil's. "Sinister" is the word in latin for "Left". When blessing oneself with the pre-eminent sign of Jesus' salvation, one certainly wouldn't want to use the side that "belonged" to Satan, now would one?

Answer 9

Umm; who ever told you we make the sign of the cross? First of all, it's not Scriptural, so I don't do it.
Secondly, he died on a tree. Why don't you make the sign for that, or wear that on your neck?

Answer 10

Its the appropriate way