Why do some Catholics kiss their hand?

[msammiem]

There are some people in my parish who kiss their hand after they cross themselves. I’ve asked several of them what it means or why they do it and they all have said “I don’t know, we just do.” Can anyone answer this question for me. What is the meaning behind the kissing of the hand gesture after crossing ones self?

 

[erik_none]

What I personally do is place my index finger over my thumb and make a small cross and kiss it. Maybe that’s what they are doing it for but not actually making the cross.

 

[marbar44]

I’ve always thought that it’s because when one says the Rosary, it’s commonplace to make the sign of the cross with the Rosary and then kiss the cross on the Rosary as they say “Amen”.

 

[phil19034]

it’s a form of Veneration for the Cross. The ones who kiss are making a Cross with their thumb and index finger and then kissing the Cross in Veneration.

Catholics with Italian and Spanish backgrounds do it.

I also believe some Byzantine Rite Catholics do it too; but in their case they are honoring The Holy Trinity. Byzantine Catholics hold their index & middle fingers together with the thumb (three appendages) to represent the Holy Trinity. They kiss their fingers after the SOC as an act of Adoration and/or Veneration towards the Holy Trinity (not sure which is the correct word in this situation).

 

[Joe_5859]

I’ve heard all of the above explanations before. Someone once told me that the practice originated in Mexico. I have no idea if that is actually true or not, though.

But then some people watch other people and start to imitate it without really stopping to think about it.

 

[msammiem]

Catholics with Italian and Spanish backgrounds do it.

The people I’m speaking of are of Mexican heritage. They are the only ones who do it. I will pay closer attention to see if their fingers are crossed.

 

[msammiem]

I’ve heard all of the above explanations before. Someone once told me that the practice originated in Mexico. I have no idea if that is actually true or not, though.

But then some people watch other people and start to imitate it without really stopping to think about it.

I think you may be on to something since none that I asked had a clue as to that it meant or why they did it. I would definitely believe it originated in Mexico.

 

[phil19034]

The people I’m speaking of are of Mexican heritage. They are the only ones who do it. I will pay closer attention to see if their fingers are crossed.

yeah, Mexicans have Spanish backgrounds.

 

[phil19034]

I’ve heard all of the above explanations before. Someone once told me that the practice originated in Mexico. I have no idea if that is actually true or not, though.

But then some people watch other people and start to imitate it without really stopping to think about it.

I don’t think it started in Mexico because lots of Italian and Spanish speaking Catholics all over the world do it. But I could be wrong.

 

[msammiem]

I don’t think it started in Mexico because lots of Italian and Spanish speaking Catholics all over the world do it. But I could be wrong.

I was being silly in my comment about Mexico. I don’t think it originated there although the people here who do it are either from Mexico or are descendants of Mexicans.