The hand is archaism or a completely modern word?

Usually people use archaisms in their speech in order to add an irony to the statement or to assume an important appearance. Some wise people, however, use such words, the meaning of which only vaguely guess. For example, now it is very fashionable to say "I have experienced cognitive dissonance" or "the thought spreads through the tree", although some comrades are so eager to flash their minds that they do not specify the meanings of these phrases in advance, but in the end they look very stupid when they try to use them in an inappropriate moment.

Popular Archaism

One of the popular words-archaisms is also the "right hand." This word is still on hearing, and its meaning is understandable almost intuitively. Of course, if such a word you use in a normal conversation with your friends, it will be regarded as a joke, and if you say about the right hand from the stage, the performance will be painted with some charm. So what does the right hand mean?

Meaning of the word. Common misconceptions

What does the right hand mean? Many people mistakenly believe that they know the answer to this question. Before you start in the interpretation, you should immediately specify that the right hand - this is something that is completely unrelated to the gums, teeth or mouth, as it seemed, based on the root of the word. Similarly, the word "loins" has nothing to do with the abdomen or internal organs, although the "belly" here begs. In fact, the right hand is just a right hand. In the Old Slavonic language the word "gum" meant "right", "on the right side", hence the word "right hand". This word is known in large part due to the expression "punishing right hand", which means "retribution", "retribution". In a broader sense, this term also meant simply a hand. From this word is formed and the Old Slavonic "at the right", which means the same as the "gum". Now these words no longer exist, they have completely disappeared and have been replaced by modern ones, so it is difficult for an unknowing person to immediately determine what they mean.

Hand in famous works

Some writers used this Old Slavonic word in their creations. For example, in Pushkin's poem "Kolna (Imitation of Ossian)" there are such lines: "The sword sharp on the hip shines, / / The spear of the right hand is stabbing." These words Alexander Sergeevich used to describe the warrior, in order to emphasize the significance of the moment and to give the eventual atmosphere. Also in his poem "The Lord preparing me for battle" this word is also used by AK Tolstoy: "Love and anger put me in the chest, // And to me with the right hand of the holy // He pointed the truthful path." Now modern authors who know what the right hand is, also sometimes use this word if they want to emphasize the solemnity of the style or simply bring it closer to the archaic. However, most often the "right hand" in modern literature will be used, and is perceived with a grain of irony. If a young author wants to give his character an extraordinary strength and seriousness, using the word "right hand" in his description will destroy the whole picture or puzzle the reader a bit.

In religion

Literature and ironic statements are not the only sphere where the word "right hand" can be used. The meaning of this term allows him to figure in both iconography and in general in religion. For example, the right hand of God in Orthodoxy is a symbol of the patronage of the Most High to righteous Christians. Sometimes God's right hand is portrayed with the saved souls of children. These pictures usually illustrate stories about the Last Judgment, and children are considered righteous by virtue of their age (they have not yet sinned). Also, some Christian religions honor their hands as relics. The best example is the right hand of John the Baptist.