Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 265, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 November 1912 — Lore of Hand in History [ARTICLE]

Lore of Hand in History

Significant Symbols That Always Have Had a Deep Purpose and Meaning. When a man is not telling the truth he is apt to clench his hands, as few men can lie with their hands open. A man who holds his thumb tightly within his hand has weak will power. Strong willed persons hold their thumbs outside when shutting their hands. Shaking hands when greeting was originally an evidence that each parson was unarmed. Amnng the savage tribes when a man holds up his hands it Ip a sign of peace, an evidence that he is unarmed or does not intend to use weapons. An outlaw says, "Hold up your hands!” meaning, thereby to make victim powerless to resist attack. When a man kisses the hands of a woman he expresses his submission. This is also the idea when kissing the hands of kings. By this act their superiority is acknowledged. When an oath is taken it is done by

raising the right hand or having it upon a bible. In the consecration of bishops, priests and deaoons and also In confirmation the laying on of hands is the essence of the sacramental rite. A bishop gives his blessing with the thumb and first and second lingers. In this the thumb represents God the Father, the first finger is the emblem of God the Son and the second finger stands for the God the Holy Ghost, the three together symbolizing the Holy Trinity. The wedding ring is placed upon the third finger of the woman’s hand to show that after the Trinity man’s love, honor and duty are given to his wife. Besides the deaf and dumb there are many people, notably of Latin and Semitic races, who talk with their hands. You probably have noticed that the aged negro whoser'cleath-la noted by the Associated l '' Press is never less than 115 years' old.