You'll find this odd, rather amateurish carving in the porch of St James Church at Longdon - it is of a hand, with a heart at its centre.
The church guide says it is called 'The Bride's Hand', as brides used to touch it on their way in to the church as a way of bringing good fortune to the marriage. Some still do.
I can find nothing else about it, as for example... how old is it? Why does it show a left hand, when it is on the right-hand side of the porch door? If that is a heart in the centre, why is it upside-down?
I suspect, however, that it was just a bit of fun when it was carved - and is nothing more than that.
Well, I think so...
A tradition I've never heard of!
ReplyDeleteThe left hand has been associated with the heart (and therefore love, fidelity, courage, etc.) since time immemorial. Hence the wearing of rings on the left hand. On the ring finger, in fact, which was believed to have a direct connexion to the heart.
ReplyDeleteIs it possible that the engraving actually represents the back of the hand, and the heart is oriented right side up from the perspective of a person being touched or reached-for?
Robin
Rusty Ring: Reflections of an Old-Timey Hermit
Holding your heart in your hand. Who knows story behind it. All lost in time
ReplyDelete