Hand in the Sacred Heart of Jesus image?

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angela92

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I was looking at Sacred Heart images and started to notice how Jesus usually makes the same shape with his right hand (the two fingers up, and two fingers down). A friend and I were wondering what (if there is any) the significance/meaning was of this hand shape?

 
I have noticed this hand posture depicted on many paintings, pictures, holy cards, statues, icons, etc…

After poking around, does this explanation sounds plausible?

"Hands are often shown giving a blessing: the last two fingers touching thumb (two fingers raised) symbolizes the two natures of Christ; ring finger touching thumb (three fingers raised) symbolizes the Trinity.

Hands are also shown with with the forefinger extended straight; the middle finger curved slightly; the thumb and the ring finger crossed; and the little finger curved slightly. This gesture forms the letters “IC XC” (Greek letters for “Jesus Christ”) – the first finger making the I, the curved middle finger forming the C, the crossed ring finger and thumb forming the X, and the pinky finger forming the second C."
 
quies said:
I have noticed this hand posture depicted on many paintings, pictures, holy cards, statues, icons, etc…

After poking around, does this explanation sounds plausible?

"Hands are often shown giving a blessing: the last two fingers touching thumb (two fingers raised) symbolizes the two natures of Christ; ring finger touching thumb (three fingers raised) symbolizes the Trinity.

Hands are also shown with with the forefinger extended straight; the middle finger curved slightly; the thumb and the ring finger crossed; and the little finger curved slightly. This gesture forms the letters “IC XC” (Greek letters for “Jesus Christ”) – the first finger making the I, the curved middle finger forming the C, the crossed ring finger and thumb forming the X, and the pinky finger forming the second C."
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I’ve heard something similar. The two fingers down represent the two natures of Christ, while the three raised fingers (two fingers and thumb) represent the Trinity.
 
Nice Holy picture.
The hand shows a blessing and with this descriptions, it is truly meaningful and symbolic. I wonder if the original painter originally had in mind these symbolic expressions to give more meaning symbolically. 👍
 
It is the gesture of benediction. The Two fingers up represent the two natures of Christ: divine and human. The thumb and the two fingers down represent the Trinity. Bishops and priests use to use that gesture to bless people more often in the old days:

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/533203_135362349968439_552172448_n.jpg

It is seen in this Icon of Christ from St Catherine’s Monastery, Mt Sinai c. 6th century:

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/487284_135362639968410_160065262_n.jpg
 
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