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Zahmir
Guest
Why do people kiss their hand after making the sign of the cross? Are you supposed to do that? Is it just some public sign of peity in order to be noticed?
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Caesar
Guest
You cross your index over your thumb and kiss the Cross 
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djrakowski
Guest
:yup:You cross your index over your thumb and kiss the Cross
I met with my priest on Tuesday, the day after he returned from a wedding in Mexico. He commented on this method of making the sign of the cross, and was quite impressed with it. Apparently, it is a cultural thing, as he’s from a very devout Slovak family and had never seen it done before his trip to Mexico.
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Zahmir
Guest
I just found it really weird… “Why the heck are people doing that?!” But I guess that makes sense, although it just seems a little strange… like people only do it because they “want to do something extra because they are a holy person.”
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catsrus
Guest
I do it and Heaven knows, I am not a “holy person”.
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Dorothy
Guest
It is not required to do so, but if one is inclined to, it is perfectly okay.
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THutch04
Guest
I’ve seen people do it, but I’ve seen it most with people who are from Latin or Hispanic backgrounds. The only reason I knew people did it was because I watched “West Side Story” and the one character kissed her hand after making the Sign of the Cross.
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gmarie21
Guest
I do it, but in high school my Spanish teacher told us about this tradition. I don’t know if she was the one to say this or if I added this but this is what I say in my head “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit and a kiss for Jesus” I think that it is nice but I never really notice if anyone else does or does not do the same thing.
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Nechasin
Guest
I have been told that the reason people do it is in some cultures, they used to seal a deal with a kiss (instead of a handshake). The kissing of your hand was seen as symbolic of the “deal” you have with Christ. I see that this is the starting point for this tradition, but now as evidenced by this thread, I think that people are doing it because there parents did it.
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DaveBj
Guest
If you watch It’s a Wonderful Live, when George and Mary are giving the Martinis housewarming gifts of bread and wine, Mr. and Mrs. Martini make the sign of the cross and then kiss their thumbs in the manner described above. So apparently this gesture is also found in the Italian culture (at least from Hollywood’s point of view).
DaveBj
DaveBj
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Em_in_FL
Guest
LOL… I do, and I don’t know why! LOL!
I honestly don’t know when I started, nor why I started… but it’s habit at this point… just part of the sign of the cross routine I’ve personally established…
Okay, now I’m going to be self-concious! LOL!
I honestly don’t know when I started, nor why I started… but it’s habit at this point… just part of the sign of the cross routine I’ve personally established…
Okay, now I’m going to be self-concious! LOL!
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YinYangMom
Guest
Yup, it’s cultural.
I’m hispanic decent and it’s just the way we were taught at home.
Really, it’s the thumb which crosses over the index finger which makes the cross which, yes, is what we are kissing.
It’s just part of making the sign of the cross because I notice we do it at the gospel reading and after receiving the Eucharist. Even as we drive past a church (because the Real Presence is there inside) or when we hear emergency sirens (as we pray for those in need).
I’m hispanic decent and it’s just the way we were taught at home.
Really, it’s the thumb which crosses over the index finger which makes the cross which, yes, is what we are kissing.
It’s just part of making the sign of the cross because I notice we do it at the gospel reading and after receiving the Eucharist. Even as we drive past a church (because the Real Presence is there inside) or when we hear emergency sirens (as we pray for those in need).
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Maryam
Guest
I don’t think it is only in Hispanic cultures that this is done. I think in many European countries this is done as well. My mother’s boss who is from Germany originally does it as well.
I grew up with everyone in my family doing it and as has been said when one is about to end the Sign of the cross with “Amen” we make a cross with our thumb and index finger as a sign of respect for Christs crucifixion and kiss it.
God bless
I grew up with everyone in my family doing it and as has been said when one is about to end the Sign of the cross with “Amen” we make a cross with our thumb and index finger as a sign of respect for Christs crucifixion and kiss it.
God bless
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Em_in_FL
Guest
Hmmm interesting…
I’m not of hispanic background… and I’ve never heard of the cross between the fingers aspect…
After thinking back about this, I remember being taught to make the sign of the cross with just three fingers… the other 2 (pinky and ring fingers) are folded down in your palm… signifying the human and divine attributes to Christ, and the three fingers you used to make the sign of the cross (thumb, pointer, and middle) signifying the trinity… and then you kiss the trinity…
I’m not of hispanic background… and I’ve never heard of the cross between the fingers aspect…
After thinking back about this, I remember being taught to make the sign of the cross with just three fingers… the other 2 (pinky and ring fingers) are folded down in your palm… signifying the human and divine attributes to Christ, and the three fingers you used to make the sign of the cross (thumb, pointer, and middle) signifying the trinity… and then you kiss the trinity…
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Caesar
Guest
I got into the habit of doing this with my private prayers (not at Mass though) when I saw my Italian priest doing it.
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