A Study on the Symbolism of Hand

The purpose of this study is to explore the symbol of ‘hand’ in sand play therapy from an analytical psychological point of view, and to reveal how the symbol of the hand appears and works in the process of psychological change of the client. In particular, paying attention to the fact that it has various symbolic meanings such as creation and destruction, mediation of relationships and connections, autonomy and control, and symbols of healing, the purpose of this study is to analyze how the expression of the hand in the sand play scene contributes to the unconscious subject and psychological integration of the client. This study selected four adult clients, focusing on the cases of sand play therapy. Data collection was performed using photos taken in the sand play session, the therapist’s session record, and the client’s speech. The analysis method was analyzed focusing on symbols (hand-shaped photography, hand structure using water sand) and hand movements (touching, petting) in a sand box based on Jung’s analytical psychology theory. As a result of the study, it was found that the hand represents symbolic themes such as sacredness, power, relationship and sociality, destruction and regeneration, identity and initiative. In this study, the body part of the hand appears as a multi-layered symbol in sand play therapy, and ‘hand’ functions as a key medium expressing the client’s inner image, self-structure, and relationship, and can be an important clue for the healer to understand the client’s psychological state. In addition, this study is a case study that applied symbol analysis in sand play therapy, and has academic and practical significance in that it has expanded the possibility of clinical use of symbol interpretation.