The gesture of protection (Sanskrit: Abhaya Mudra) or fearlessness is also associated with the gesture of giving refuge, described below.  The right ‘method’ hand usually makes this gesture, with the palm held outwards and the fingers extending upwards.  In appearance it is similar to the boon-granting gesture, except that the hand points upwards instead of downwards and it is usually raised to the level of the heart.  The abhaya mudra represents the Buddha’s protection from all the fears of cyclic existence, and is the specific gesture of Amoghassiddhi, the green Buddha of the north.  In early Buddhist art the gesture of protection is commonly shown on statues of the Buddha, where it represents his sovereignty and protective blessings.  In early Christian art this gesture is similarly made by Christ and is known as the magna magnus or ‘great hand’.

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