Handwashing

Hand washing takes on the symbolism of water as spirit.  Many religions use hand washing as symbolic of the need for clean action, pure action and clean hands are thus symbolic of the need for ‘clean’ or honest action.

The initiation rights into the ancient ‘Mysteries’ were always preceded by purification by water, Islamic ceremonies are preceded by a washing of hands and feet. In the ancient Mysteries the washing of the hands was always an introductory ceremony to the initiation, and it was used symbolically to indicate the necessity of purity from crime as a qualification of those who sought admission into the sacred rites; and hence on a temple in the Island of Crete this inscription was placed: "Cleanse your feet, wash your hands, and then enter."

The symbolism of clean hands is found also in Greek texts thus Homer has  Hector say [Iliad, vi. 266.]  "I dread with unwashed hands to bring my incensed wine to Jove an offering."

In a similar spirit of religion, Æneas, when leaving burning Troy, refuses to enter the temple of Ceres until his hands, polluted by recent strife, had been washed in the ‘living stream’.  This time symbolic water as opposed to literal water.

The same practice prevailed among the Romans, and a striking instance of the symbolism is exhibited in that well-known action of Pilate, who, when the Jews clamoured for Jesus, that they might crucify him, appeared before the people, and, having taken water, washed his hands, saying at the same time, "I am innocent of the blood of this just man. See ye to it."

Observations

For iPad/iPhone users: tap letter twice to get list of items.

• Chemical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz - The Third Day
• Grant Gronewald - HTML flowers - We take of our hands to heal
• Rossetti, Dante Gabriel - The Beautiful Hand
• Saadi - The Gulistan of Sa‘di – 15 from The Morals of Dervishes
• Song of Solomon 5
• Thomas, Dylan - Was there a Time