The Adhaya Mudra

A mudra is a hand posture or position. If you've ever tried a yoga class then you have at least tried one or two mudras. A mudra is usually combined with a yoga posture. It is the positioning of the hands and fingers that is thoguht to seal in and direct energy through your body. 

The Abhaya mudra is often seen some most of the time looked over. If you have ever seen a Buddha statue with its hand up near the shoulder, then you have seen the Adhaya mudra. 

This mudra is made with the right hand raised to shoulder height, arm bent and palm facing out. The Abhaya mudra symbolizes protection and peace because the hand is empty of weapons and indicating friendship and peace. 

Here is a Buddha statue in Wuxi. It was amazing to see and just huge! If you see it's right hand, it is up in the Abhaya mudra. 

The top photo, I took that in Thailand, on the boat coming into Koh Phangan. Again, if you look at the hand, it is up in the Abhaya mudra.