Hand Position on Corpus

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Sat under a rather large crucifix this weekend, and noticed that the hands were positioned so that the index and middle fingers were together pointing out, and the thumb and other two fingers are folded in. I am pretty sure most if not all crucifixs I have seen were this way. Does anyone know WHY? That is certainly not a natural position for someone with a nail through their hand, so it must be to signify something. I recall vaugely from school some great controversy between the east and west churches about using two or three fingers when you crossed yourself, but that seems like a real stretch for making all crucifix’s that way. Anyone know?
 
The two fingers raised with the outer fingers held toward the palm with the thumb is an ancient gesture of benediction - two fingers symbolizing the two natures of Christ. Three fingers would symbolize the Trinity.

I’ve never seen a Crucifix with the hands in this position. I guess it’s saying that even as He died so cruelly, He blessed us. Seems to me that the crucifixion, itself, would sufficiently symbolize the blessing, but maybe that’s just me.
 
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ElizabethJoy:
The two fingers raised with the outer fingers held toward the palm with the thumb is an ancient gesture of benediction - two fingers symbolizing the two natures of Christ. Three fingers would symbolize the Trinity.

I’ve never seen a Crucifix with the hands in this position. I guess it’s saying that even as He died so cruelly, He blessed us. Seems to me that the crucifixion, itself, would sufficiently symbolize the blessing, but maybe that’s just me.
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If you pay attention, now that it has come to your awareness, you will find that this is quite common.
 
:o I’m sorry - I should have been more careful in my wording. I didn’t mean to imply that they aren’t common or anything - I was just musing on never having seen one myself, that I know of.
 
Hey, I never really thought about it either, until I sat under a 15 foot one for a while.
 
thats weird. EVERY crucifix i have seen that was of suficient size to have that detail, has the “blessing hand” position.
 
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ElizabethJoy:
The two fingers raised with the outer fingers held toward the palm with the thumb is an ancient gesture of benediction - two fingers symbolizing the two natures of Christ. Three fingers would symbolize the Trinity.

I’ve never seen a Crucifix with the hands in this position. I guess it’s saying that even as He died so cruelly, He blessed us. Seems to me that the crucifixion, itself, would sufficiently symbolize the blessing, but maybe that’s just me.
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You will find many Icons of The Christ with his hand raised and His fingers in this position. Also the Infant of Prague depicts this hand position.
 
Isn’t this also how members of the orthodox churches hold their fingers when making the sign of the cross?
 
I remember hearing on a show about the Shroud of Turin that the fingers contorted into that position when the spike severed or injured the nerve in the hand. (I want to say *radial * nerve, but I’m really not sure.) I’ll track down that video if I can and get more info.
 
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