Term: Anjali

Ppronounced ahn-yuh-lee, the famous mudra, or hand position, often given among Tantrics, Buddhists, and Hindus, indicating an honorable greeting. It is made by pressing the palms of both hands together, with the fingers pointing up. It can be positioned at chest level (with the thumbs touching the sternum), at the forehead level (with the thumbs at the location of the third eye chakra between the brows), or above and slightly in front of the head. In some traditions you greet equals or subordinates with the hands at the chest, superiors (especially spiritual leaders) with the hands at the forehead, and divinities (during worship) with the hands above the head.

The gesture first appeared on seals associated with the pre-Hindu culture in the Indus valley around 2,000 b.c.e.