Vitarka Mudrā
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Teaching Gesture
Sjoquist p. 33 Vitarka Mudrā or Vyākhyāna Mudrā
ānwèi yìn 安慰印
This gesture indicates teaching, intellectual argument, and debate. The thumb touching the index finger completes a circle of understanding, while the other fingers remain outstretched. (When Americans make this sign, they usually mean “okay.”)
Some important variants occur: if the thumb touches the middle finger, the gesture can mean compassion (so it is a gesture frequently seen in representations of Guānyīn); if it touches the ring finger, it can mean good fortune.