The gesture of protection is more commonly know in Tibetan art as the gesture of giving refuge (Sanskrit: Sharanamagana or Vitarka Mudra).  This mudra may be made with either the right or left hand.  It occurs as the common mudra of the eight manifestations of Tara or Avalokiteshvara who protect from the ‘eight great fears’.  This gesture may be made with the palm facing upwards and outwards or with the palm held downwards in the act of subjugating the object of fear.  The gesture of giving refuge may also be made with either the index, second, or third fingertip touching the thumb to form a circle, with the other three fingers extended upwards.  The circle symbolizes the taking of refuge as the union of method and wisdom, and the three extended fingers represent the Three Jewels of the Buddha, dharma, and sangha as the objects of refuge.  The various forms of Tara perform this mudra with their left ‘wisdom’ hand, whilst holding the stem of an immaculate lotus within the circle formed from the contact of their thumb and fingertip.

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