The origins of mudras are unknown. Mudras are not only used in Asia, but they are also used all over the world. Europeans were definitely familiar with complex signs, which they used to emphasize and seal what they felt and wished to express in their ceremonies.
Many gestures were originally forbidden during the Christianization of the Nordic peoples, such as invoking the gods with raised arms. Later, some of these gestures were incorporated into Christian teachings.
We may perhaps feel how these ancient cultures communicated themselves if we notice the different motions made by a priest saying the Mass.
But our social life is often marked by movements, the roots of which hardly anyone understands today: crossing our fingers for others, clapping our hands as applause, the embrace, shaking hands, or "giving someone the finger" to show our poor opinion of them.
Mudras are an integral part of all religious activities in India.
The numerous mudras and hastas (arm poses) used to represent Hindu gods are notable. They reflect the identifying traits of different deities, in addition to body postures and qualities.
These magical hand poses have a special force, capability, and character strength for the individual praying. The main gods Brahma (Creator), Vishnu (Preserver), and Shiva have the most well-known mudras (Destroyer).
The mudras are just as familiar in Indian dance, where the hands, eyes, and body gestures act and/or dance the whole drama without words. Ingrid Ramm-Bonwitt, a mudra expert, describes it beautifully:
"The Indian dancer communicates the life of the world with his or her paws, which hold vital images that are still widely recognized in the East today."
The rich symbolism of the dance's language of gestures gains a greater significance for the mind than words could express through its variety of interpretive possibilities. In Indian sculpture, the divine essence of the mudras was perfectly expressed.
Deities portrayed in Hindu and Buddhist art make movements that symbolize their roles or invoke particular mythological events.
Mudras are used in Tantric rites as well.
They play an important role in Buddhism, where six mudras are depicted in many of Gautama Buddha's paintings. They are inextricably linked to his teachings and life.
Hatha Yoga uses movements and body poses to convey a variety of emotions, including grief, joy, rage, and serenity. They understand that the same is often true: those gestures may have a positive impact on the mind.
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