hand of glory

English

Etymology

Perhaps from a confused reference to the mandrake plant, which is mandragore in French, while hand of glory would be main de gloire.

Noun

hand of glory (plural hands of glory)

1. (historical) A charm made from the hand of a man executed by hanging, supposed to be able to unlock doors, render other people motionless, etc.
   • 1936, Rollo Ahmed, The Black Art, London: Long, page 114:

     Sorcerers and other practitioners of witchcraft used to make a variety of candlestick called the Hand of Glory, chiefly from the flesh of criminals[.]