Definition

Noun: A mudra is a symbolic, ritualistic hand gesture or position, most commonly used in Hindu and Buddhist religious practices, classical dance (like Bharatanatyam), yoga, and meditation. Each specific gesture carries a particular meaning, representing concepts, deities, or states of mind, and is believed to channel energy flow.

Usage

The word "mudra" is used as a countable noun to refer to a specific hand gesture or to the concept as a whole. - The dancer's final mudra symbolized offering flowers to the gods. - Learning the various mudras is a fundamental part of yoga teacher training. - He held the meditation mudra to aid his concentration.

Examples

• The statue of Buddha often depicts him with the mudra, the gesture of meditation.
• In the temple ceremony, the priest performed a sacred mudra to invoke the deity.
• Her intricate mudras during the dance told a story without words.

Advanced Usage

• "To form a mudra": To deliberately position the fingers and hands into a specific symbolic gesture.
  • The yogi formed the Chin mudra to enhance his breathing practice.
• "Mudra therapy": A practice within alternative medicine that involves holding specific mudras for purported health benefits.
  • She practices mudra therapy daily to help relieve stress.

Variants and Related Words

• Hasta Mudra (n): A more specific term for hand gestures used in Indian classical dance. ( means "hand" in Sanskrit).
• Mudrika (n): A less common synonym, also meaning a seal or ring, related to the symbolic nature of the gesture.

Synonyms

• Gesture: A movement of part of the body to express an idea (this is a general term; "mudra" is a specific, ritualistic type of gesture).
• Sign: A gesture conveying a particular meaning.
• Seal: In a symbolic sense, as a mudra is sometimes considered a "seal" of energy.

Related Idioms or Phrases

• "The language of mudras": Refers to the complex system of meaning communicated through these hand gestures, especially in dance and iconography.
  • To understand the temple carvings, one must learn the language of mudras.

Noun

1. ritual hand movement in Hindu religious dancing