The Pointing Finger
Showing the way to God: John the Baptist pointing to Christ, the preacher pointing to heaven.
St John the Baptist. John’s whole mission was to point to someone else. “Behold the Lamb of God,” he said when Jesus passed by (John 1:29), and “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). In Grünewald’s Isenheim Altarpiece he points to Christ on the cross with an outsized finger; in our statue he points to the Lamb.
St Francis Xavier. Preaching along the coasts of India and Japan, Xavier is shown pointing to heaven, the crucifix in his other hand.
Christ teaching. A raised finger is also the gesture of a teacher, and is given to Christ and the apostles when they preach.
Where you’ll see it
Hands and gestures
All symbols →
The Blessing Hand
Christ, or a priest in his name, giving God’s blessing; the raised fingers recall the Trinity and the two natures of Christ.
Joined Hands
Prayer and humble trust in God, the hands placed together as a promise of faithfulness.
Open Hands
Graces given freely, a welcome to all, or prayer offered to God with arms raised.
A statue with a hand pointing to heaven?
Every statue is made from scratch in our studio in Mangalore.