New Zealand 358
Madonna in Prayer
(issued 10-15-1962)
Saar B106
Dürer: "Praying Hands"
(issued 12-10-1955)
Paraguay 1884b
Virgin Praying
(issued 4-28-1979)


Riddle of the Hands

        In every culture, there has always been a religion,
        with the gesture of praying with both hands together.
        Why is this? (Only one right answer to this riddle).
        —Lew Welch, Ring of Bones (1973), p. 127
Dürer's "Praying Hands"—
pure and simple
image of thanksgiving.

Left & right hands together
outer turns to inner
when we are in prayer.

Yin and yang touching
at noon and midnight—
merging in the Tao.

Opposite hands united,
Not working or fighting
in peaceful prayer.

Christ prays at Gethsemane,
Confucius says "My praying
has been for a long time."

— Peter Y. Chou
    Mountain View, 1-3-2022
Canada 451
Dürer's "Praying Hands"
(issued 10-12-1966)


Australia 306: Child Praying
after Joshua Reynolds (1776)
(issued 11-6-1957)


Australia 307: Child Praying
after Joshua Reynolds (1776)
(issued 11-6-1957)


Vatican City 238
St. Bernadette
Praying at Lourdes
(issued 2-21-1958)