Reconciling the Hand of Benediction Controversy
William Pearson, PhD., Asst. Professor of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
Textbooks inconsistently report the underlying functional anatomy associated with the clinical sign known as the “hand of benediction”. The clinical presentation of this neuropathy is called the “hand of benediction” associated with the hand gesture of a papal blessing. Moores’ Clinically Oriented Anatomy attributes this clinical presentation to medial nerve damage at the elbow whereas Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics attributes the clinical presentation to ulnar nerve damage at the wrist. Similarly, liturgical traditions within Christianity inconsistently ascribe liturgical meaning this hand posture. The Roman Catholic tradition refers to the Latin benediction hand as representing triune blessing with the three persons of the Godhead represented by three fingers in extension and the two natures of Christ represented by two fingers in flexion; whereas in Orthodoxy, a sixth century icon of The Christ Pantocrator of St. Catherine’s Monastery at Sinai the hand of Christ symbolizes “all powerful” with the hand gesturing the Greek Christogram (ICXC). In neither case is the origin of this ancient sign explained. The author will present an anatomical explanation that uncovers a theological narrative of the hand gesture and shows how the theological narrative settles a dispute over clinical terminiology. Implications of this explanation pose questions about how theology and science might be brought into dialogue to re-enchant biomedical research and practice including questions about the prevailing epistemology and teleology of biomedicine. This explanation is used by the author as a teaching tool with first year medical students to enable them to understand complicated anatomy, promote critical thinking, and to invite students to consider how religious traditions might enrich their understanding medical knowledge.
Textbooks inconsistently report the underlying functional anatomy associated with the clinical sign known as the “hand of benediction”. The clinical presentation of this neuropathy is called the “hand of benediction” associated with the hand gesture of a papal blessing. Moores’ Clinically Oriented Anatomy attributes this clinical presentation to medial nerve damage at the elbow whereas Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics attributes the clinical presentation to ulnar nerve damage at the wrist. Similarly, liturgical traditions within Christianity inconsistently ascribe liturgical meaning this hand posture. The Roman Catholic tradition refers to the Latin benediction hand as representing triune blessing with the three persons of the Godhead represented by three fingers in extension and the two natures of Christ represented by two fingers in flexion; whereas in Orthodoxy, a sixth century icon of The Christ Pantocrator of St. Catherine’s Monastery at Sinai the hand of Christ symbolizes “all powerful” with the hand gesturing the Greek Christogram (ICXC). In neither case is the origin of this ancient sign explained. The author will present an anatomical explanation that uncovers a theological narrative of the hand gesture and shows how the theological narrative settles a dispute over clinical terminiology. Implications of this explanation pose questions about how theology and science might be brought into dialogue to re-enchant biomedical research and practice including questions about the prevailing epistemology and teleology of biomedicine. This explanation is used by the author as a teaching tool with first year medical students to enable them to understand complicated anatomy, promote critical thinking, and to invite students to consider how religious traditions might enrich their understanding medical knowledge.