Clasped hands are certainly typical of a bygone era. In literature, a part of the body often represents the whole body, The literary term is synecdoche. Hands frequently represent “workmen”, and historically the hand-fast or hand-promise betrothal of a couple was solemnized by their joining of hands. In places where clergy were unavailable to perform marriage ceremonies, the hand-fast was recognized as it is still in some outer parts of Scotland to this day. In death, the clasped hands signify a farewell to earthly things.
Clasped hands are certainly typical of a bygone era. In literature, a part of the body often represents the whole body, The literary term is synecdoche. Hands frequently represent “workmen”, and historically the hand-fast or hand-promise betrothal of a couple was solemnized by their joining of hands. In places where clergy were unavailable to perform marriage ceremonies, the hand-fast was recognized as it is still in some outer parts of Scotland to this day. In death, the clasped hands signify a farewell to earthly things.