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Horned Hand - The Satanic Sign Save This Page
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by Subhabrata DasIntroductionHuman civilization, since prehistoric ages, has evolved as a society with a great inclination toward occultism or esoteric knowledge of the world of spirits or supernatural forces. People who mastered the occult or the “hidden belief” inscribed the medium of communication among the inhabitants of esoteric world in the form of some unique symbols with hidden meanings. These are the perceptible signs of invisible power of natural forces or satanic influences which are mainly used by the occultists to manipulate the natural laws to satisfy their own benefits. Among these symbols Horned Hand, which is quite similar to the Karana Mudra of Eastern religions, is depicted as a form of raised index and pinky fingers describing the devilish sign of a beast.
Origin and InterpretationHorned Hand is believed to be the depiction of the woolly Goat of Mendes or Baphomet, or the Horns of Cernunnos which has long been portrayed as a synonym of Satan or a demon. Raised index and pinky fingers symbolize the horns and tightly closed middle fingers and thumb represent the mouth of the goat.
Types and MeaningThere are two types of Horned Hand gestures. The first type is meant for right hand. In this gesture the thumb should be kept under the clenched middle and ring fingers. This hand sign signifies the horned god of witchcraft.
Image 4: Left Hand Photo by Subhabrata Das
Western BeliefIn many western countries the Horned Hand symbol has become an exceedingly popular hand sign. This symbol is often inscribed on amulets or used as an apotropaic gesture to ward off the ominous influences of evil eye. This hand sign is quite similar in its use to other satanic hand signs like hamsa hand, hand of Fatima, hand of Miriam, the eye-in-hand, the mano fico or fig hand, and two-hand gesture with interlocked thumbs. Americans having Italian ancestral background are the avid performers of this hand gesture who deliberately use this charm for getting magical protection from the intentional or directed curses. People from Brazil and Argentina do also believe in the use of Horned Hand sign for fending off ill fate by conjuring some supernatural power.
Use in Heavy Metal and Rock CultureNowadays Horned Hand gesture has become an inevitable part of the American Heavy Metal and Rock. This hand sign is well-known as devil sign, metal horns, or “Rock on!” sign.It is quite difficult to predict who has brought about this evil sign to make the acquaintance of American heavy metal ecstasy. In 1969 Chicago-based psychedelic-occult rock band Coven released their album “Witchcraft Destroys Minds and Reaps Souls” where they used an image on their back album cover showing their members giving the sign of “mano cornuto.” They are known to use this “devil’s sign” always at the beginning and end of each concert. Heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio of Black Sabbath band was known to share the primal credit for popularizing this hand sign among the metal fans for the first time across the world. Dio, in his childhood, saw his Italian grandmother to make this sign to parry evil eye and got attracted to the magical incantation and the irresistible devilish attitude of raising horn sign. In 1978 before joining Black Sabbath he took up this hand gesture in an attempt to connect the fans with a declaration of high testosterone and sending out a jolt of love, hence making them crazy in front of their metal-god. Irrespective of origin and purpose of Horned Hand gesture metal fans all over the world have embraced this hand sign as a mystique metallic evil symbol which soon cast its overwhelming spell over millions of fans of the Rock world. This omnipresent hand sign is widely used by the rock music lovers to signify that the concert has won their enthusiastic plaudits.
Use in Asian and Other European CountriesThe concept of Horned Hand has been cherished by many Asian and European countries from ancient ages. As per Hinduism the Horned Hand sign with the thumb over the closed middle and ring fingers is known as a “Gesture of Banishing” or “Karana Mudra.” The hand gesture resembles the horns of a Yak pointing against the evil and is also known as “The Gesture of Warding off Evil.” However in Hinduism the Horned Hand gesture made with a left hand is sometimes considered as “Abhayamudra” or “Gesture of Fearlessness” or “Gesture of Blessings.” The same concept of Horned Hand sign has been adapted by the people of Asian Buddhist countries. The Chinese Hung Society cherished Horned Hand sign as the emblem of membership. They also use it as a sign of “Man” who symbolizes both heaven and earth. People in European countries like Albania, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Greece, and Malta generally use Horned Hand sign as a gesture of infidelity. In this regard people of these countries are quite influenced by Italian belief. In Turkey the horned hand sign is used to signify wolf’s face where two raised fingers symbolize wolf’s ears.
Other UsesBesides being used as an occult symbol Horned Hand gesture is also quite popular in different parts of America for its use in sports without invoking any demonic association.In American rugby arena football fans often raise their hands to show this sign (upward horns) to support their favorite team Texas Longhorn. Whereas opponent team supporters show this sign (downward horns) to oppose Longhorn during sporting events. Horned Hand sign is often used as signals for the referees of sports like baseball where this hand gesture simply signifies “two outs.”
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