mudras

Mudras are symbolic gestures, most commonly performed with the hands, and are used across spiritual traditions in South Asia, notably Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, as well as in yoga and classical dance. The term mudra comes from Sanskrit mudrā, meaning seal, mark, or gesture. In religious art and ritual, mudras convey attributes such as fearlessness, wisdom, or blessing, and they are also believed to influence the flow of prana or energy in the body.

Practitioners employ mudras during meditation, prayer, or ritual to focus attention, symbolize teachings, or evoke deities. In iconography they communicate a deity's role or message. In yogic and tantric contexts, mudras are part of broader systems that link hand positions to channels and centers of energy.

Common examples include Gyan Mudra (often called chin mudra), with the tip of the thumb touching the index finger and the remaining fingers extended; Abhaya Mudra, a raised right hand with the palm outward signaling fearlessness; Varada Mudra, the palm facing downward with fingers extended indicating generosity; Dhyana Mudra, hands in the lap with thumbs lightly touching, used in meditation; Prana Mudra, the ring and little fingers touching the thumb to energize the body; Bhumisparsha Mudra, the right hand reaching to touch the earth to witness truth; Vitarka Mudra, a circle formed by the thumb and index finger representing teaching; Dharmachakra Mudra, the wheel-turning gesture near the chest used to indicate the teaching of Dharma.

In Hindu and Buddhist practice, mudras are integral to temple iconography, ritual, dance, and meditation. They are used in statues and paintings to convey meaning and in performance to express ideas such as apology, compassion, or cosmic balance. In modern yoga and wellness contexts, mudras are taught as simple techniques to support concentration or breathing, though scientific evidence for their specific effects is limited.