The hand is the most frequently symbolized part of the human body. It gives
blessing, it is expressive. According to Aristotle, the hand is the "tool of
tools." In general it is strength, power and protection. However, it can just
as easily mean generosity, hospitality and stability; "lend a hand".
It is used in gestures of greeting and friendship (shake hands).
The right and left have different symbols related to each: right - the rational, conscious and logical, as well as aggressive and axious, left - opposite of the right, weakness, decay, death. However, the two can be juxtaposed to symbolize balance and the middle (The Left Hand of Darkness, LeGuin, its reference to the Tao, See YINANDYANG).
Hand gestures vary in symbol: laying hands on something - blessing, consecration, transference of guilt, healing; raising one's hand - to swear, honesty; hand on heart - love, adoration, salutation; two hands clasped - peace, alliance, friendship; hands at side - negligence, arrogance (on hips); with water - purification, cleanliness, innocence.
According to Cooper, Quintilian says, "The hands may almost be said to speak.
Do we not u se them to demand, promise, summon, dismiss, threaten, supplicate,
express aversion or fear, question or deny? Do we not use them to indicate joy,
sorrow, hesitation, confession, penitence, measure, quantity, number, and time?
Have they not the power to excite and prohibit, to express approval, wonder,
shame?"(78).
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