84 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academij. 



In " Symbols and Emblems," by Elizabeth Twining, there is an 

 illustrated list of the hand as it appears in various j)laces, mostly in 

 Italy, but one from the JN'orman Abbey Church of Eomsey, Hampshire, 

 approaches the nearest to the subjects of this paper; it appears above 

 the Crucifixion with all the fingers extended downwards, the wrist 

 surrounded by conventional clouds. J. Eomilly Allen, in " Christian 

 Symbolism," p. 165, illustrates this also, and gives numerous other 

 instances of the Dextera Dei. A hand in benediction appears above 

 a Saint Andrew Crucifixion in the twelfth century seal of Wells 

 Cathedral. 



IS'owhere can I find any examples similar in form and position to 

 those of Monasterboice and Clonmacnoise, so they may may be taken as 

 perfectly unique in Christian art and symbolism. In later years 

 {circa 1335) we find the O'l^eills of Ulster bearing the right hand as 

 an emblem, the definite origin of which we know not, but we may 

 surmise it to have been to them a sacred symbol of Divine strength and 

 assistance. It may have been brought to Ireland by the Phoenicians. 

 The later myth connected with the bleeding left hand must be thrown 

 aside as of recent growth.' 



I wish to express my indebtedness to Miss Margaret Stokes, John 

 Kingcomb, and the Eev. Dr. Healy, of Kells, for assistance in writing 

 this paper. 



Since this paper was written and read, "Horns of Honour," by 

 E. J. Elworthy (Murray, 1900) has appeared. It is largely devoted 

 to this subject, and is copiously illustrated, conclusively proving the 

 extremely ancient character of this symbol and its wide distribution 

 amongst the early nations of the world long anterior to Christian 

 times. I had no idea when writing tliis paper that so many pagan 

 examples of the hand were in existence, or that its veneration had been 

 so universal. It is a most instructive example of the adaptation by 

 Christians of a symbol sacred before their time, and not by any means 

 confined to the Jewish nation. The writer of the book does not, however, 

 refer to the Irish Christian examples I have described, so he was 

 doubtless unaware of their existence. 



IE. N. F. C. Proceedings, 1892-3, p. 513. " Tlie Eed Hand," by John 

 Vinycomb. 



