| A mudra is a symbolic gesture of the hand, or sometimes the entire arm, originating in Buddhist iconography and often mirrored in meditative practice. Depictions of divinities and holy persons are often shown displaying mudras. This particular gesture, the open hand, signifies generosity and the bestowal of truth and compassion. |
Sometimes the varada mudra is also called the “gesture of charity.” Depictions of certain representations of Buddha, and of two manifestations of the deity Tara: the Green Tara and the White Tara, usually display the varada mudra. Tara means “savior”, and is considered to be the mother of all Buddhas - past, present, and future. |
Tara’s corollary in Christianity and Islam would be the Virgin Mary. In this picture, I used images of Mary, Christ, and various depictions of children, including victims of Herod’s Massacre of the Innocents. |
