Dharmacakra Mudrā
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Wheel-Turning Gesture
Sjoquist p. 33 Dharmacakra Mudrā
zhuǎnfǎlún yìn 转法轮印 轉法輪印 or shuōfǎ yìn 说法印 說法印
This gesture refers to turning the wheel of the law or of teaching about the law.
It is through turning this great wheel by means of their teachings, that the buddhas guide the world through the six realms of existence also represented by a wheel.
Wheel imagery to describe reincarnation is pervasive in Buddhist art.
When artists portray the Buddha’s first sermon after his enlightenment, (described in chapter 17 of the on-line biography of the Buddha [Link]), they tend to show him making this gesture.
The same wheel imagery is seen in the tenth court of hell, described on this web site.