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Order II · Seals of Theurgy and Invocation
Matsya Mudra
मत्स्य मुद्रा · matsya mudrā · Σφραγὶς τοῦ Ἰχθύος
23
The stacked hands become a fish, the thumbs its fins. The soul swims fearless across the ocean of becoming.
- Meaning
- Seal of the Fish
- Tradition
- Hindu puja; Bharatanatyam (matsya hasta); the first avatar of Vishnu
- Hands
- Both hands, stacked
- Placement
- Over the offering or the sacred object; in front of the body.
- Associations
- Water.
- Level
- Advanced
Formation
- Turn both palms down, fingers held together.
- Lay the left palm on the back of the right hand.
- Extend both thumbs out to the sides as fins.
- In ritual use the thumbs make a forward, swimming movement.
Example Meditation
Hold the stacked hands, thumbs extended as fins, over the offering or before the body. Breathe evenly and hold the intention that the rite is protected. The seal steadies the hands, removes fear and keeps the offering safe.
Effects
PhysicalΣῶμα
- Coordinated hands. The two hands move as one body with independent fins.
EmotionalΘυμός
- Fearlessness. The fish crosses the waters without fear (Shree Maa; nathas.org).
IntellectualΝοῦς
- Protection of the rite. In puja it forms a protective covering over the ritual objects.
SoulΨυχή
- Crossing samsara. The ocean is the cycle of becoming; the fish passes through it unharmed.
AscentἈνάβασις
- The fish of salvation. Matsya, the fish avatar, carried the sage through the flood. Ἰχθύς is the vessel that crosses the waters toward the further shore.
Finger Key
| Finger | Element | Right hand | Left hand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thumb | Fire | extended to the side as a fin | extended to the side as a fin |
| Index | Air | extended together | extended together, over the right hand |
| Middle | Aether | extended together | extended together, over the right hand |
| Ring | Earth | extended together | extended together, over the right hand |
| Little | Water | extended together | extended together, over the right hand |
Cautions and Variants
Variants. Puja sources (nathas.org, ISKCON, aghori.it) place the left hand on top; the dance form of Bharatanatyam places the right on top. The puja form is shown.
Recommended for Every Zevist Library
Gertrud Hirschi, Mudras: Yoga in Your Hands
The standard practical manual of the hand seals, with their indications and meditations. The Temple of Zeus recommends it as a purchase for every Zevist library, personal or communal.