What does Tantric handprint mean?

Seven common handprints of Buddha statues

The gestures of Buddha statues represent the different identities of Buddha statues and various teachings of Buddhism. It is a kind of body language with Indian characteristics, and its meaning is extremely rich. There are five kinds of seals commonly printed, namely, saying seal, fearless seal, wishing seal, magic seal and meditation seal, that is, "five seals of Sakyamuni". There are many kinds of handprints, especially hundreds of abstruse handprints, which make people elusive. Common ones are Zhiquan seal and Chick seal.

Say seal

Twist your thumb with your middle finger (or forefinger and ring finger), and the other fingers will naturally relax. This handprint symbolizes the meaning of the Buddha's statement and shows the Buddha's state when Luo Guyuan turned the Falun for the first time, so it is called the statement seal, also known as the Falun seal.

Wuwei yin

Bend your arms over your chest, stretch your fingers naturally, and put your palms outward. This handprint shows the Buddha's merciful desire to help all beings, which can make all beings feel at ease and fearless, so it is called fearless seal.

Yuyuanyin

Hands down naturally, fingers down, palms outward, indicating that Buddha and Bodhisattva can satisfy the wishes of all beings and make all their prayers come true. This is printed with the meaning of compassion, so it is often combined with Shiwei seal.

Demon seal

Protect your right knee with your right hand and touch the ground with your fingers, indicating that you have surrendered your demons. When Sakyamuni was practicing, demons kept bothering him to stop him from meditating. Later, Sakyamuni touched the ground with his right finger, making the soil as evidence, so the land god came out to prove that Sakyamuni had become a Buddhist, and finally frightened the monster, so it was called the magic seal. Because you touch the ground with your fingers, it is also called touchdown.

Meditation tone

Put your right hand on your left hand, and the tips of your thumbs are connected. This handprint means meditation and inner peace. This is the posture that Sakyamuni Buddha took when he meditated under the bodhi tree and practiced Taoism. In esoteric Buddhism, this kind of handprint is used by Tathagata in the fetal and Tibetan circles, and it is called "Dharma Definition Seal".

Yin Zhiquan

Make a fist with both hands (four fingers hold the thumb in the palm, which is called diamond fist), and then hold the left index finger on the chest with the right fist. It is said that this seal indicates that you can gain wisdom from the Buddha by eliminating ignorance.

Seven grams of silver

Put your middle finger against your thumb and raise your index finger. This seal is a tantric French seal.