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Lend Your Hand Trivia Quiz

Hands heal, protect, bless, and symbolize belonging across cultures. This quiz explores how different world religions use hands in rituals and traditions. Match each description to its associated world religion.

A matching quiz by Rizeeve. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Rizeeve

Time
4 mins

Type
Match Quiz

Quiz #
421,801

Updated
Nov 22 25

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
59

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

Last 3 plays: piet (10/10), FrappMaster (10/10), Guest 170 (10/10).

(a) Drag-and-drop from the right to the left, or (b) click on a right side answer box and then on a left side box to move it.

Questions		Choices
1. Kar Seva (literally "hand service") -- In this tradition, members lend their hands in service, often through physical labor, as an act of selfless sacrifice.		Taoism
2. Laying on of Hands -- A ritual gesture used in blessings, healing, and ordination ceremonies to invoke the Holy Spirit.		Islam
3. Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing) -- In this tradition, descendants of the priestly class raise their hands in a distinctive gesture to bless the congregation during prayer.		Zoroastrianism
4. Du'a (Supplication) -- This tradition involves believers raising their hands while making personal prayers, symbolizing humility and a connection to God.		Paganism
5. Abhaya Mudra -- A hand gesture symbolizing protection, peace, and the dispelling of fear. Often depicted with the right hand raised, palm facing outward, it conveys reassurance and divine safety.		Christianity
6. Padyab -- A purification ritual involving handwashing before prayer and before approaching the sacred fire. In this tradition, ritual purity is essential; hands are washed to prepare the body and spirit for communion with the divine.		Buddhism & Hinduism
7. Clapping Hands at Shrines -- To attract the attention of kami (spirits or deities), worshippers clap their hands twice in a ritual sequence known as ni-rei, ni-hakushu, ichi-rei (two bows, two claps, one final bow).		Indigenous Religions
8. Hand Seals (Yin/Yang Gestures) -- In this tradition, specific hand gestures are used in rituals and martial arts to channel energy, summon spirits, and balance cosmic forces. These symbolic forms reflect the harmony of yin and yang.		Sikhism
9. Healing Hands in Shamanic Practice -- In this tradition, shamans use their hands in energy work, blessings, and rituals to connect with spirits and facilitate healing. The hand becomes a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms.		Shinto
10. Handfasting -- In this tradition, a couple's hands are tied together with cords or ribbons to symbolize their union or commitment. The gesture represents binding hearts, intentions, and spiritual paths.		Judaism

Select each answer

1. Kar Seva (literally "hand service") -- In this tradition, members lend their hands in service, often through physical labor, as an act of selfless sacrifice.

2. Laying on of Hands -- A ritual gesture used in blessings, healing, and ordination ceremonies to invoke the Holy Spirit.

3. Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing) -- In this tradition, descendants of the priestly class raise their hands in a distinctive gesture to bless the congregation during prayer.

4. Du'a (Supplication) -- This tradition involves believers raising their hands while making personal prayers, symbolizing humility and a connection to God.

5. Abhaya Mudra -- A hand gesture symbolizing protection, peace, and the dispelling of fear. Often depicted with the right hand raised, palm facing outward, it conveys reassurance and divine safety.

6. Padyab -- A purification ritual involving handwashing before prayer and before approaching the sacred fire. In this tradition, ritual purity is essential; hands are washed to prepare the body and spirit for communion with the divine.

7. Clapping Hands at Shrines -- To attract the attention of kami (spirits or deities), worshippers clap their hands twice in a ritual sequence known as ni-rei, ni-hakushu, ichi-rei (two bows, two claps, one final bow).

8. Hand Seals (Yin/Yang Gestures) -- In this tradition, specific hand gestures are used in rituals and martial arts to channel energy, summon spirits, and balance cosmic forces. These symbolic forms reflect the harmony of yin and yang.

9. Healing Hands in Shamanic Practice -- In this tradition, shamans use their hands in energy work, blessings, and rituals to connect with spirits and facilitate healing. The hand becomes a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms.

10. Handfasting -- In this tradition, a couple's hands are tied together with cords or ribbons to symbolize their union or commitment. The gesture represents binding hearts, intentions, and spiritual paths.

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Kar Seva (literally "hand service") -- In this tradition, members lend their hands in service, often through physical labor, as an act of selfless sacrifice.

Answer: Sikhism

In Sikh tradition, Kar Seva means physically contributing to community or religious efforts. This often includes maintaining gurdwaras (Sikh temples) and organizing Langar (free community kitchens). Through these charitable actions, Sikhs worship by serving others and embody the collective ideal of Sarbat da Bhala (welfare of all).

Through Kar Seva, volunteers have completed amazing acts such as rebuilding the Golden Temple in Amritsar multiple times. Hands in Kar Seva are not simply tools of labor -- they represent humility, equality, and devotion.

2. Laying on of Hands -- A ritual gesture used in blessings, healing, and ordination ceremonies to invoke the Holy Spirit.

Answer: Christianity

Throughout the Bible, the laying on of hands appears in blessings, healings, and leadership appointments. In Christian practice, it represents a spiritual connection with God, reinforcing unity among believers. Hebrews 6:2 lists the laying on of hands as a basic doctrine of God's church.

Hands here symbolize transmission in general - of blessings, authority, or spiritual gifts.

3. Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing) -- In this tradition, descendants of the priestly class raise their hands in a distinctive gesture to bless the congregation during prayer.

Answer: Judaism

The hands of the priests (Kohanim) are central to the ritual of Birkat Kohanim, symbolizing divine presence and spiritual transmission. This blessing, commanded in Numbers 6:23-26, is performed by descendants of Aaron during synagogue services. Known also as Nesi'at Kapayim (lifting of the hands), the ritual involves extending the arms with fingers arranged in a specific pattern - forming the Hebrew letter Shin, representing Shaddai, a name of God.

This gesture inspired the Vulcan salute (created by Leonard Nimoy, who was Jewish) in "Star Trek".

4. Du'a (Supplication) -- This tradition involves believers raising their hands while making personal prayers, symbolizing humility and a connection to God.

Answer: Islam

The Arabic word duʿā means "invocation" or "supplication". Unlike the structured ritual prayers of Islam (Salah), Du'a can be made at any time - a personal plea or praise offered directly to God. The Qu'ran encourages this intimate connection: "Call upon Me; I will respond to you" (Qur'an 40:60). Hands are often raised with palms facing upward in humility and openness, then gently wiped over the face after the prayer.

Answer: Buddhism & Hinduism

Often seen in statues of the Buddha, the Abhaya Mudra is a sacred hand gesture that symbolizes fearlessness and divine protection in Buddhism, Hinduism, and other Indian religions. The gesture is formed by raising the fingers of the right hand to shoulder height, palm facing outward, while the left hand rests at one's side or on the lap. According to Buddhist tradition, the Buddha first used this gesture to calm a rampaging elephant, and the gesture is used by people to foster peace and self-confidence.

Answer: Zoroastrianism

Padyab is a fundamental daily ceremony performed in Zoroastrianism. The ritual involves washing exposed parts of the body, specifically the face and hands, while reciting prayers or sacred verses. This ritual cleansing removes physical and spiritual impurities, preparing the devotee to approach the divine presence of Ahura Mazda, the supreme deity.

The act symbolizes spiritual readiness, discipline, and reverence for the sacred fire, which represents truth and divine light.

Answer: Shinto

In Shinto practice, worshippers perform a specific sequence of bows and claps to communicate with the kami, the spirits or deities of nature and place. Shinto worshippers initially bow deeply twice (ni-rei) to show humility and respect before the kami. Two sharp claps (ni-hakushu) are executed next to alert or summon the kami, a sound that is believed to transcend the veil between human and divine realms. Finally, a deep bow of gratitude (ichi-rei) completes the spiritual exchange. Before approaching the shrine, worshippers perform temizu, a handwashing ritual that purifies the body and spirit in preparation for sacred contact.

Answer: Taoism

In Taoism, hand seals (shǒu ju�) are ritual gestures used to channel energy, invoke deities, protect against harmful forces, and align with cosmic rhythms. Each seal corresponds to one of the five elements - earth, wood, fire, metal, and water - as well as celestial powers and cardinal directions. Hand seals are used in priestly rituals, meditation, and in martial arts like Tai Chi and Qigong, where they help focus qi (vital energy) and harmonize body and spirit.

Answer: Indigenous Religions

In many Indigenous religions, shamans believe the hands can direct life force or spiritual energy into a person to foster healing. The hand is both a physical sensor and a spiritual conduit in these shamanic practices. During rituals, shamans move their hands over the body to sense imbalances and brush away negative energies.

Smoke from sacred herbs like cedar or sage may be used in conjunction with hand movements for purification. Smudging rituals in various Native American traditions involve using hands to sweep smoke to purify.

Answer: Paganism

Handfasting is an ancient Celtic ritual revived in modern Pagan and Wiccan traditions. In this ceremony, a couple's hands are bound together with cords or ribbons to symbolize union, commitment, or sacred vows. The ritual gave rise to the phrase "tying the knot." Beyond romantic unions, handfasting may also be used to consecrate sacred space - such as forming a ritual circle - or to seal other spiritual promises.

Source: Author Rizeeve

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor looney_tunes before going online.
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