Understanding Cemetery Symbols by Tui Snider
[The following is an adapted excerpt from my book, Understanding Cemetery Symbols. I hope you enjoy it! Also, full disclosure: that’s an Amazon affiliate link. If you buy my book after clicking it, I make a few pennies at no additional cost to you.]
Live long and prosper?
If you are a Star Trek fan, you may be surprised to see a pair of hands, seemingly giving Commander Spock’s famous “Live long and prosper” gesture, engraved on a headstone.
As it happens, Leonard Nimoy, who played Spock in the famous TV show, was Jewish. As a child, he saw members of his church making this sign. Later, while developing his portrayal of Spock, Nimoy proposed using this unique gesture for the famous Vulcan character.
Cohen Hands a.k.a. Hands of Kohanim
When you see “Spock hands” on a tomb, you are actually looking at “Cohen hands,” which may also be referred to as the “Hands of Kohanim.” This hand gesture signifies that the deceased is a Jewish person who descended from the priestly Tribe of Cohen.
Incidentally, Cohen descendants are forbidden from attending funerals, except in the case of their relatives and closest friends.
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Tui Snider is an author, speaker, and photographer who specializes in North Texas travel, cemetery symbols, and haunted lore. As she puts it, “I used to write fiction – but then, I moved to Texas!”
Snider’s best-selling books include Paranormal Texas , Understanding Cemetery Symbols, and 100 Things to Do in Dallas - Fort Worth Before You Die.
Snider has several more books in progress, and enjoys connecting with writers and readers all over the globe through social media, her newsletter and her website: TuiSnider.com.
I love this post! Such delightfully obscure information. Would it be impolite of me thank you for digging it up? I hope not!
I almost met Leonard Nimoy at an Israel Day anniversary celebration many years ago. I decided to not intrude because he was swamped by people.