MYSTERY CENTRES - HANDS - SYMBOLS - INITIATION Although there is no doubt that these richly symbolic hands were used for magical purposes, precisely to what use they were put is in dispute. Perhaps they were used as amulets, or 'power-centres', since almost all the symbols appearing on them relate to the ancient gods, or to the various Mystery Religions that were so popular in pre-Christian times. It is sometimes claimed that they are ex voto objects, but Elworthy has shown this not to be the case. The drawings are from Elworthy, Horns of Honour and Other Studies in the By-Ways of Archa
MYSTERY CENTRES - HANDS - SYMBOLS - INITIATION Although there is no doubt that these richly symbolic hands were used for magical purposes, precisely to what use they were put is in dispute. Perhaps they were used as amulets, or 'power-centres', since almost all the symbols appearing on them relate to the ancient gods, or to the various Mystery Religions that were so popular in pre-Christian times. It is sometimes claimed that they are ex voto objects, but Elworthy has shown this not to be the case. The drawings are from Elworthy, Horns of Honour and Other Studies in the By-Ways of Archaeology,1900. The hands are of metal - usually of bronze - and stand about 6 inches high. The gesture made by the hand is of the kind which we would now regard as being one of benediction, with the small finger and ring finger pent over: the indications are that this was one of the gestures used in the ancient mysteries. In the Hindu mudras it is the gesture of Vishnu. The plethora of symbols found on these hands is sufficiently intriguing to make these ritual objects among the most puzzling and mysterious to have survived from the ancient world. [Top pair] The example was found on the Isola Farnese, Montfaucon, and was formerly in the Collegio Romano, in Rome: it is now lost. The thumb terminates in the head of the Egyptian god, Serapis. The Cantharus, or two-handled bowl is associated with the god of wine, Bacchus - a link which is emphasised by the vine and cluster of grapes on the back of the hand. The Tortoise is one of the symbols of Mercury - a swift-footed god who has the power to make haste slowly. In ancient times, the Lizard, like the serpent, was a symbol of both the wisdom and self-imposed silence of the initiate, or the Wiseman (it was believed that lizards were without tongues). The Snake is the symbol of the demi-god, Asculapius. [Bottom pair] This example was found at Tournay, and is now in the British Museum. The crescent on the palm is probably a
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Photo credit: © Charles Walker Collection / Alamy / Afripics
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Keywords: -, archival, archive, art, artistic, artwork, book, centres, doubt, esoterica, hands, historic, historical, history, illustration, image, initiation, mono, mystery, paranormal, richly, symbolic, symbols
