The Metaphor of the Finger Is More Interesting. The Finger Is a Perfect Marker of Anthropomorphisation

The finger is treated as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. An abstract and incomprehensible power is contained within a small, weak part of the human body (see Ambrose, Expositio evangelii secundum Lucam, VII.93, Commentary on the Gospel according to Luke). The metaphor of the ‘Book of the World’ (liber mundi) is widely known. Scholastic imagination popularised this comparison.

In the twelfth century, Hugh of Saint Victor wrote:

‘Universum enim mundus iste sensibilis quasi quidam liber est scriptus digito Dei, hoc est virtute divina creatus, et singulae creaturae quasi figurae’. (Didascalion de studio legendi 7.4; PL 176)

‘This whole sensible world is like a book written by the finger of God, that is, created by divine power, and individual creatures are figures within it.’

In the same century, Nizami Ganjavi (نظامی گنجوی) begins the Eskandar-Nâmeh (Romance of Alexander the Great) with the verse: ‘Your pen is wisdom; your book is the world.’

We know God by the fact that he has everything at his fingertips. At the same time, our fingers are highly ‘spiritual’. A finger is enough to set a powerful kratophany in motion—look once more at William Blake’s illustration. Even a little finger can perform wonders. The sacred is highly sensual.

Vesper Lynd: ‘If the only thing left of you was your smile and your little finger, you’d still be more of a man than anyone I’ve ever met.’ James Bond: ‘That’s because you know what I can do with my little finger.’