<p>According to Dr. Robert Thurman:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>The mudra “is a sacred gesture symbolically expressing inner wisdom,
  or, in tantra, a female consort for yogic practices that harness
  sexual energies to the path.  Some of the main gestures we see in
  Tibetan images are <em>abhaya</em>, the gesture of fearlessness, the right
  hand held in from with open palm raised up: <em>dana</em>, the gesture of
  giving, the right hand held open and downward;
  <em>dharmacakrapravartana</em>, the teaching gesture, each hand held with thumb and index fingers touching and the other three fingers upraised,
  the two hands touching each other in front of the heart center;
  <em>dhyāna</em>, contemplation gesture, either one or both hands held flat in the lap; <em>trisharana</em>,  the Triple Refuge gesture, similar to the
  teaching gesture, with the emphasis on the three upraised fingers,
  representing the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha; <em>tarjanī</em>, threatening
  gesture, with either hand held forward in a fist, the index and little
  fingers raised up; <em>varada</em>, boon-granting gesture, just like the
  giving gesture; and <em>vitarka</em>,  analytic or fine discernment gesture,
  like a one-handed teaching gesture, one hand held up with thumb and
  index finger forming a circle, the other three fingers raised up.” <a href="https://i.sstatic.net/WnBux.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer">1</a></p>
</blockquote>

<p><strong>Abhaya Mudra:</strong></p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/WnBux.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></p>

<p>Courtesy of <a href="http://poetrysdays.wordpress.com/2012/04/23/introduccion-a-los-mudra/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Acerca de Ernest Cappa</a></p>

<p><strong>Dana Mudra:</strong></p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/jpe8G.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></p>

<p>Courtesy of <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/195202965072119688/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Angela Wheeler on Ink me</a></p>

<p>The righthand is in the dana mudra gesture.</p>

<p><strong>Dharmacakrapravartana Mudra:</strong></p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/TGQho.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></p>

<p>Courtesy of <a href="http://poetrysdays.wordpress.com/2012/04/23/introduccion-a-los-mudra/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Acerca de Ernest Cappa</a></p>

<p><strong>Dhyāna Mudra:</strong></p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/qxUgR.png" alt="enter image description here"></p>

<p>Courtesy of eric_m #dhyanamudra - Instagram</p>

<p><strong>Tarjanī Mudra:</strong></p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/0FIfD.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></p>

<p>Courtesy of erinhosfield #tarjanimudra - Instagram</p>

<p><strong>Varada Mudra:</strong></p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/88qvi.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></p>

<p>Courtesy of <a href="http://www.tumblr.com/search/vitarka+mudra" rel="nofollow noreferrer">buddhabe #vitarka</a></p>

<p>Right hand in varada mudra.</p>

<p><strong>Vitarka Mudra:</strong></p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/GHDQL.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></p>

<p>Courtesy of <a href="http://www.tumblr.com/search/vitarka+mudra" rel="nofollow noreferrer">buddhabe #vitarka</a></p>

<ol>
<li><a href="http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/1570622973" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Mandala: The Architecture of Enlightenment</a> by Leidy and Thurman pg 168</li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-13T01:12:14.297Z
2014-07-13T03:36:37.870Z
2014-07-13T03:36:37.870Z
DharmaEater
<p>If I can give an answer with reference to 5 Buddha mandala as I think it draws together the iconography into a satisfying whole.</p>

<p>As it's name suggests the 5 Buddha mandala 5 Buddhas at each compass point with one at the center. Each Buddha displays their own mudra. Each mudra points to a quality of that Buddha and thus to a quality of the enlightenment experience.</p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/xYxbY.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></p>

<p><strong>1. Aksobhya The blue Buddha</strong></p>

<p>Mudra is the bhūmisparśa or earth touching mudra. The hand touches the earth. This points to the imperturbable.</p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/Wew7k.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></p>

<p><strong>2. Ratnasambhava - the yellow Buhha</strong></p>

<p>Mudra is the dana or giving mudra. The hand points downward and out (shown by NeilD). This points to generosity.</p>

<p><strong>3. Amitabha - the red budda</strong></p>

<p>Mudra is the meditation or dhyana mudra. Hands together (show by NeilD). This obviously points to contemplation</p>

<p><strong>4. Amoghasiddhi - the green buddha</strong></p>

<p>Mudra is the fearlessness or abhaya mudra. Hand is up and poitn forward (shown by NeilD). This is self explanatory I think.</p>

<p><strong>5. Vairocana - the white buddha</strong></p>

<p>Mudra is the wheel-turning or Dharmacakrapravartana mudra (again shown by NeilD). This which fits his central place in the mandala, bringing all the other qualities together.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-13T15:57:56.000Z
Where you able to find any images of the  trisharana mudra?  I found other mudras but not that one.  I would like to add an image of that to the answer.  Any help would be appreciated.  I like the context you added. :)
DharmaEater
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-15T18:49:39.947Z
@NeilD I've put a put up of Aksobhya showing the mudra a bit more. I think I'll try to get decent pictures of all the buddhas up when I get a moment.
Crab Bucket
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-15T19:03:22.547Z
@Crab_Bucket Thanks for the additional picture.  I think you have a great idea.  The answers for this question need to include illustrations to help the readers.
DharmaEater
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-13T13:21:25.137Z
2014-07-15T18:48:31.157Z
2014-07-15T18:48:31.157Z
Crab Bucket
<p>In Buddhist iconography the figures are illustrated or depicted with various hand gestures.  The symbolic hand gestures are called mudras.  What is the significance of a Buddhist mudra? What are the various meanings for different popular mudras?</p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/zDwPO.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></p>

<p>Courtesy of <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/558939003722937255/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Jordan</a></p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/ZLDWg.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></p>

<p>Courtesy of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nalanda#mediaviewer/File:Astasahasrika_Prajnaparamita_Avalokitesvara_Bodhisattva_Nalanda.jpeg" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Asia Society</a></p>

<vajrayana><art><iconography><mudra>
What is a Mudra and what do they mean?
# What is a Mudra and what do they mean?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-07-13)

In Buddhist iconography the figures are illustrated or depicted with various hand gestures. The symbolic hand gestures are called mudras. What is the significance of a Buddhist mudra? What are the various meanings for different popular mudras?

![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/zDwPO.jpg)

Courtesy of [Jordan](http://www.pinterest.com/pin/558939003722937255/)

![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/ZLDWg.jpg)

Courtesy of [Asia Society](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nalanda#mediaviewer/File:Astasahasrika_Prajnaparamita_Avalokitesvara_Bodhisattva_Nalanda.jpeg)

**Tags:** vajrayana, art, iconography, mudra


---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_0 on 2014-07-13. Score: 3

According to Dr. Robert Thurman:

> The mudra “is a sacred gesture symbolically expressing inner wisdom,
> or, in tantra, a female consort for yogic practices that harness
> sexual energies to the path. Some of the main gestures we see in
> Tibetan images are *abhaya*, the gesture of fearlessness, the right
> hand held in from with open palm raised up: *dana*, the gesture of
> giving, the right hand held open and downward;
> *dharmacakrapravartana*, the teaching gesture, each hand held with thumb and index fingers touching and the other three fingers upraised,
> the two hands touching each other in front of the heart center;
> *dhyāna*, contemplation gesture, either one or both hands held flat in the lap; *trisharana*, the Triple Refuge gesture, similar to the
> teaching gesture, with the emphasis on the three upraised fingers,
> representing the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha; *tarjanī*, threatening
> gesture, with either hand held forward in a fist, the index and little
> fingers raised up; *varada*, boon-granting gesture, just like the
> giving gesture; and *vitarka*, analytic or fine discernment gesture,
> like a one-handed teaching gesture, one hand held up with thumb and
> index finger forming a circle, the other three fingers raised up.” [1](https://i.sstatic.net/WnBux.jpg)

**Abhaya Mudra:**

![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/WnBux.jpg)

Courtesy of [Acerca de Ernest Cappa](http://poetrysdays.wordpress.com/2012/04/23/introduccion-a-los-mudra/)

**Dana Mudra:**

![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/jpe8G.jpg)

Courtesy of [Angela Wheeler on Ink me](http://www.pinterest.com/pin/195202965072119688/)

The righthand is in the dana mudra gesture.

**Dharmacakrapravartana Mudra:**

![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/TGQho.jpg)

Courtesy of [Acerca de Ernest Cappa](http://poetrysdays.wordpress.com/2012/04/23/introduccion-a-los-mudra/)

**Dhyāna Mudra:**

![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/qxUgR.png)

Courtesy of eric\_m #dhyanamudra - Instagram

**Tarjanī Mudra:**

![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/0FIfD.jpg)

Courtesy of erinhosfield #tarjanimudra - Instagram

**Varada Mudra:**

![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/88qvi.jpg)

Courtesy of [buddhabe #vitarka](http://www.tumblr.com/search/vitarka+mudra)

Right hand in varada mudra.

**Vitarka Mudra:**

![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/GHDQL.jpg)

Courtesy of [buddhabe #vitarka](http://www.tumblr.com/search/vitarka+mudra)

1. [Mandala: The Architecture of Enlightenment](http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/1570622973) by Leidy and Thurman pg 168


---

### Answer by username_1 on 2014-07-13. Score: 3

If I can give an answer with reference to 5 Buddha mandala as I think it draws together the iconography into a satisfying whole.

As it's name suggests the 5 Buddha mandala 5 Buddhas at each compass point with one at the center. Each Buddha displays their own mudra. Each mudra points to a quality of that Buddha and thus to a quality of the enlightenment experience.

![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/xYxbY.jpg)

**1. Aksobhya The blue Buddha**

Mudra is the bhūmisparśa or earth touching mudra. The hand touches the earth. This points to the imperturbable.

![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/Wew7k.jpg)

**2. Ratnasambhava - the yellow Buhha**

Mudra is the dana or giving mudra. The hand points downward and out (shown by NeilD). This points to generosity.

**3. Amitabha - the red budda**

Mudra is the meditation or dhyana mudra. Hands together (show by NeilD). This obviously points to contemplation

**4. Amoghasiddhi - the green buddha**

Mudra is the fearlessness or abhaya mudra. Hand is up and poitn forward (shown by NeilD). This is self explanatory I think.

**5. Vairocana - the white buddha**

Mudra is the wheel-turning or Dharmacakrapravartana mudra (again shown by NeilD). This which fits his central place in the mandala, bringing all the other qualities together.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Where you able to find any images of the  trisharana mudra?  I found other mudras but not that one.  I would like to add an image of that to the answer.  Any help would be appreciated.  I like the context you added. :)  
> **username_1**: @NeilD I've put a put up of Aksobhya showing the mudra a bit more. I think I'll try to get decent pictures of all the buddhas up when I get a moment.  
> **username_0**: @Crab_Bucket Thanks for the additional picture.  I think you have a great idea.  The answers for this question need to include illustrations to help the readers.  

---

