When making the sign of the cross, why do we use the right hand?

Question

Is there anything wrong with using the left hand?
How did we end up using the right hand only?

Answer 1

Human cultures are predominantly right-handed, and so the right-sided trend may be socially as well as biologically enforced. This is quite apparent from a quick survey of languages. The English word "left" comes from the Anglo-Saxon word lyft which means "weak" or "useless". Similarly, the French word for left, gauche, is also used to mean "awkward" or "tactless". Also, sinistra, the Latin word from which the English word "sinister" was derived, means "left". Similarly, in many cultures the word for "right" also means "correct". The English word "right" comes from the Anglo-Saxon word riht which also means "straight" or "correct." The words "adroit" and "dextrous", both meaning skillful, come from the French droit and the Latin dexter respectively.

Answer 2

http://www.fisheaters.com/sign.html
this covers the tradition and reason for the sign of the cross, as for using your left hand you could try as k this on www.ewtn.com, look for the catholic answers section and join the forum.

i don't thin the first site says why we use the right hand, it may be because jesus from scripture is said to be seated at the right hand of his father,that was just a thought, i look forward to the other inputs from the catholic faithful here.

Answer 3

The left hand is considered "evil." Hence the reason black magick traditions are collectively known as "the Left-Hand Path."

In the medieval era, left-handed people were murdered by the church authorities, for they were believed to be possessed.

Answer 4

The right hand usually represents truth and mercy traditionally. The left hand represented judgment and darkness. Of course, these are just myths and traditions.

Answer 5

When the Roman Catholic Church was killing all the true Christians they said use the right hand. So those afraid of dieing for Christ lived. The true Christians were killed. You can read of actual accounts in " The Foxes Book Of Martys" you should be able to find it in your local libary.

Answer 6

My guess would be it's respect. in old days at banquets, the right side of the host would be the place to be. It's honorable, the Creed says that Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father, work from there.

Answer 7

wHEN MAKING THE SIGN OF THE CROSS WE USE OUR RIGHT HAND OUT OF RESPECT,JUST AS WE EXTEND OUR RIGHT HAND TO SHAKE ANOTHER PERSON'S HAND AS A GESTURE OF RESPECT.
IF YOU ARE LEFT HANDED THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH USING YOUR LEFT HAND TO MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS.
wE ENDED UP USING THE RIGHT HAND BECAUSE OF THE SAME REASON OF A POLITE HAND SHAKE(SINCE MOST PEOPLE ARE RIGHT HANDED)

Answer 8

In many cultures, the right hand is the hand of honor. So it was in Biblical times.

Answer 9

I don't make the sign of the cross .I am a Christian and i think Catholics do that.Probable because most people are right handed.