Mudra facts for kids

A mudra is a special hand gesture or position, mostly used in Indian religions like Hinduism and Buddhism. The word "mudra" comes from Sanskrit and means "seal" or "sign." These gestures are often seen in yoga and meditation, and they help people focus their energy and express different meanings. Each mudra has its own special purpose and message.

Rāmabhadrācārya meditating on the banks of the Mandakini River with fingers folded in the chin mudrā.

What are Mudras?

Mudras are like a secret language of the hands. They are not just random movements; they are specific positions that can help connect your body and mind. In yoga, mudras are often used with asanas (body postures) and breathing exercises to improve health and spiritual well-being.

Where are Mudras Used?

Mudras are a very important part of Hindu and Buddhist art and practices. You can often spot them in ancient statues and paintings from India and other Asian countries. These hand gestures help tell a story or show a special quality of the gods or spiritual leaders they represent.

For example, the Abhay mudra is a gesture where the palm faces outwards with fingers pointing up. This mudra means "without fear" and is used to show protection and peace. It helps to make people feel safe and calm.

Mudras and Energy

Some yoga mudras involve different parts of the body. They use special procedures to keep the body's vital energy, called prana, flowing correctly. For instance, in a pose called Viparita Karani, the body is upside down. This position uses gravity to help keep energy in the body.

Images for kids

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  A 10th century Chola dynasty bronze sculpture of the Hindu god Nataraja (Shiva) posing various mudras

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  Indian Buddha Shakyamuni statue making the bhūmisparśa or "earth witness" mudra, c 850

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  12th-century Japanese scroll showing different mudra gestures

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  The different yoga mudras involve different parts of the body and correspondingly diverse procedures, generally to retain the vital energy of prana. In Viparita Karani, the body is inverted to allow gravity to retain the bindu. Illustrated manuscript of the Joga Pradipika, 1830

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  Korea's National Treasure 119. The right hand shows abhayamudra while the left is in the varadamudra.

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  The Buddha sitting in bhūmisparśa mudrā. Birmany. White marble with traces of polychromy. Gallo-Roman Museum of Lyon-Fourvière

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  Bodhyangi Mudrā

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  A statue of the Buddha from Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India, 4th century CE. The Buddha is depicted teaching, while making the Dharmacakra Pravartana mudrā.

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  Reproduction of the Amitābha statue of Phật Tích Temple, Hanoi, demonstrating the dhyāna mudrā

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  Vajra Mudrā

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  Vitarka mudrā, Tarim Basin, 9th century

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  Joseon figure displays the karana mudrā.

See also

In Spanish: Mudra para niños