ཕྱག་རྒྱ། | Glossary of Terms

Seal; ritual hand gesture; female consort in sexual yoga.

A position of hands, also the “source” deity visualized at the top of the head.

A particular position of hands of magical or esoteric significance; also an emblem or insignia.

In this text, mudrā is used to refer to distinct forms of a deity.

In this text, mudrā is used to refer to distinct forms of a deity.

In this text, mudrā is used to refer to distinct forms of a deity.

In this text, mudrā is used to refer to distinct forms of a deity.

A seal, in both the literal and metaphoric sense; a ritual hand gesture.

Ritual hand gesture.

Hand gesture that invokes a particular type of magical power.

An emblem, symbol, or gesture of esoteric significance related to specific deities or ritual acts.

A polysemous term that indicates a “seal” in both the literal and metaphoric sense. It can refer to an emblem or symbol, a ritual hand gesture, or a consort in sexual practices. When paired with the term dhāraṇī it conveys the idea that a dhāraṇī seals or stamps the nature that it embodies upon the reciter or the targeted phenomenon.

See “mudrā.”

An array of symbolic hand gestures, which range from the gesture of touching the earth displayed by the Buddha upon attaining awakening to the numerous gestures used in tantric rituals to symbolize offerings, consecrations, etc. Iconographically, mudrās are used as a way of communicating an action performed by the deity or a specific aspect a deity or buddha is displaying, in which case the same figure can be depicted using different hand gestures to signify that they are either meditating, teaching, granting freedom from fear, and so forth.

A stamp, signet, or seal.