Dextera Dei

The hand of God. From fresco at Sant Climent de Taüll, Spain. The hand of God. From fresco at Sant Climent de Taüll, Spain.

Dextera Dei ('Right Hand of God'), also known as the Manus Dei or Dextera/Manus Domini, is an old symbol of the Christian Church, especially used in Late Classical and early medieval times. It was often applied to indicate God's intervention in the affairs in the world. The symbol of the Hand of God may be linked to an old dislike of representing anything divine as a human figure.

The Dextera Dei is represented on the maniple of St Cuthbert, which dates to the early tenth century.

Digital source of illustration (retrieved 8th July 2016).

WV

Last modified on Sunday, 14 May 2017 12:21
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