mudra

American  

[muh-drah] / məˈdrɑ /

noun

1. Hinduism, Buddhism. any of a series of arm and hand positions expressing an attitude or action of the deity.

2. any of various similar gestures used in India's classical dancing to represent specific feelings.

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mudra British  

/ məˈdrɑː /

noun

1. any of various ritual hand movements in Hindu religious dancing

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Etymology

Origin of mudra

First recorded in 1805–15, mudra is from the Sanskrit word mudrā sign

Example Sentences

Sit up straight and put your hands in front of you in a meditation mudra: palms up, left hand on the bottom, right hand on the top with the two thumbs touching.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2023

“In Buddhist statues, the arms and hands are the parts that break off the easiest, and certain positions of the hands and fingers, the mudra, promote healing and compassion.”

From New York Times • Oct. 8, 2022

She explained a simple mudra, or hand gesture, resting one palm in the other to balance our yin and yang energy.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 9, 2022

Muslims even join their middle finger and thumb together during prayer, similar to a yoga mudra, she says, though she doesn't believe Islam came from yoga or was influenced by it.

From BBC • Nov. 21, 2013

She is then purified by the recitation of many mantras and texts, and by the performance of the mudra or gesticulations.

From Phallic Miscellanies Facts and Phases of Ancient and Modern Sex Worship, as Illustrated Chiefly in the Religions of India by Jennings, Hargrave