What is the meaning behind the hand gesture found in many religious paintings.?

Question

Here's a picture:

http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/36572314/?qo=11&q=byzantine+icons&qh=boost%3Apopular+age_sigma%3A24h+age_scale%3A5

Answer 1

Christ's blessing. It's hard to describe without you seeing my hand...

But: Index finger: Iota
Middle finger in a "C" with thumb: Sigma
Ring finger making a "X" with thumb: Chi
Pinky curved in a "C": Sigma

ICXC = Greek letters for the Name Jesus Christ.

See my avatar - but you need a magnifying glass.

Or, see this good example:

http://www.indiana.edu/~ocfatiu/pantocrator.jpg

Answer 2

To symbolize a teacher - an elder.

A lot of people think Jesus is doing a type of peace sign. If you look at other paintings that are of elders of a certain culture in the same area - you will see the same sign. It merely symbolizes a teacher.

Answer 3

I believe that the painter wishes to show Christ's blessing in the hand signal\placement. I don't know where in the Holy Bible it talks or illustrates it though. Paintings are the imagination of the painter. They are not necessarily the truth about how Jesus blessed people when he was on earth.

Answer 4

Dude it's Praying

Answer 5

I don't go to links. However, the commonest gesture is the two fingers upward. It's how clergy give blessings and it was picked up by the aristocracy.

Answer 6

I think he's supposed to be making the sign of the cross in the air in front of him.

Answer 7

It's an ancient form of the shocker.

Answer 8

It's the christian-crips gang sign.
So they can recognize each other on the streets, and know who their homies are.

Answer 9

Live long and prosper.

special, K got it.

Answer 10

praying