History Main / PrayerPose

* ''VisualNovel/DanganRonpa'': right in the middle of [[spoiler:Celestia]]'s execution, they're seen taking up this pose, trying to FaceDeathWithDignity when they're about to [[spoiler:be [[BurnTheWitch burned at the stake]]... [[UndignifiedDeath or so it seems]].]]

* In ''Marvel vs DC'', before Comicbook/{{Thor}}'s battle with [[Comicbook/{{Shazam}} Captain Marvel]], he says that in a situation like this there is only one thing appropriate for heroes with the powers of gods to do: pray. Cap is shown kneeling with his hands clasped, while Thor is on one knee with his hands resting on Mjolnir.

* In ''Anime/Puella Magi Madoka Magica'', Kyoko does this right after [[spoiler:an actual prayer to God]], and just before [[spoiler:sacrificing herself to defeat Oktavia von Seckendorff]]. It's justifiable, given her religious background.

* In ''Anime / Puella Magi Madoka Magica'', Kyoko does this right after [[spoiler:an actual prayer to God]], and just before [[spoiler:sacrificing herself to defeat Oktavia von Seckendorff]]. It's justifiable, given her religious background.

* In ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'', near the end of Cullen's romance path, the Inquisitor walks in on him reciting part of the Chant of Light while in this pose, as he attempts to draw strength from faith to combat his fear that the fight with Corypheus will cost the life of his beloved.

** The gesture that we know as the PrayerPose today actually came from feudal ceremonies of homage or vassalage -- the person pledging fealty presented his clasped hands to his lord as a gesture of submission, and the lord would clasp his hands in return, as shown in [[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e5/Hommage_au_Moyen_Age_-_miniature.jpg this illustration.]]

* ''Anime/CodeGeass'': As pictured above, C.C is at times seen like this, even when [[BrokenBird she's not as archetypically innocent and pure]] as the standard example. The most famous instance is at the end of the second season, when she's praying with her hands clasped [[spoiler: and tearing up as she waits for the deployment of Lelouch's ThanatosGambit.]]

** In the last episode of ''Stars'', [[spoiler: Sailor Galaxia's remaining inner goodness]] is briefly seen like this in a field of flowers, tearful and lonely, until [[spoiler: [[AllLovingHeroine Sailor Moon]] manages to reach for her, purify and redeem her.]]

[[folder: Comic Books]]

* ''Five Card Stud'', a 1968 Western starring Dean Martin, Roddy [=McDowell=] and Robert Mitchum. A man cheats in a poker game and is caught and lynched by most of the other players; later on, the members of the lynch mob are murdered one by one, and a player who was out cold during the lynching (Martin) turns sleuth to avoid the same fate himself. One of the victims is found with his hands clasped in prayer, which is thought oddly uncharacteristic. [[spoiler: The culprit was a preacher new to the area (played by Mitchum) who was secretly the brother of the murdered cheat, out to punish his brother's killers.]] By the way, Martin also sang the film's theme song.

* Lampshaded in ''Literature/DeceptionPoint'', where the main character notes that the others might think she's doing this when they're left for dead on an ice flow but [[spoiler: is actually preparing to tap out morse code since she knows that the organisation she works for has a listening post (although they're actually saved by a passing submarine that was investigating all the activity that lead to said stranding)]].

* Subverted in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX''. The prayer pose to the big religion, Yevon, is an elaborate version of the one described above. [[MakesSenseInContext Thing is]], [[spoiler: it's actually a corruption of the prayer for Victory from a city destroyed a thousand years ago]].

* ''VisualNovel/DanganRonpa'': right in the middle of [[spoiler: Celestia]]'s execution, they're seen taking up this pose, trying to FaceDeathWithDignity when they're about to [[spoiler: be [[BurnTheWitch burned at the stake]]... [[UndignifiedDeath or so it seems]].]]

* Former Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow adopts a kneeling pose with his head bowed and one hand in a fist near his face or forehead which has [[MemeticMutation become known as Tebowing]].
** actually he could be doing this: https://goo.gl/images/MRGici. This was a gesture that Tolkien came up with for the Numenorean culture in his mythos. It expresses respect for the dead, and thanks that they have moved beyond the world. Also just very badass.

* Used creatively in ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist''. Edward Elric's transmutations involve clapping his hands together. Most alchemy requires the use of drawn-out "transmutation circles", but Ed has learned how to essentially turn his body into a transmutation circle. As pointed out by Rose in ''Brotherhood'', it looks much like prayer. Appropriate, considering the divine-like powers of alchemists, and Ed's struggles against evil.

* Used creatively in ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist''. Edward Elric's transmutations involve clapping his hands together. As pointed out by Rose in ''Brotherhood'', it looks much like prayer. Appropriate, considering the divine-like powers of alchemists, and Ed's struggles against evil.

This is a stock pose. Males can be found doing it, but it's especially common among females, particularly within promotional material. The hands are clasped or the palms meet each other (this is a variation with the same emotional meanings) either in front of the chest or in front of the face. Light radiating from either the background or the hands is a common added touch. This is a gesture that generally indicates prayer of some kind, but not always. Sometimes, it's used more for its emotional value, in order to indicate someone who is pure of heart instead.

* The Straight Edge Society once posed a picture with Serena and Luke Gallows in prayer pose with "Straight Edge Messiah" C.M. Punk standing behind them.

* In ''Comicbook/MarvelVsDC'', before Comicbook/{{Thor}}'s battle with [[Comicbook/{{Shazam}} Captain Marvel]], he says that in a situation like this there is only one thing appropriate for heroes with the powers of gods to do: pray. Cap is shown kneeling with his hands clasped, while Thor is on one knee with his hands resting on Mjolnir.

* Asia, Xenovia, and Irina are all frequently seen doing this in the ''LightNovel/HighSchoolDXD'' anime. Logical enough, since they're actually practising Christians. For Asia and to a lesser extent Xenovia, this is normally followed by clutching their head, having forgotten that trying to invoke the divine while [[DevilsInDisguise being a devil]] results in a headache of divine retribution.

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[[AC: Film -- Animated]]
* Sunset [[VisualPun shimmers]] while she does this in ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsLegendOfEverfree'' during the song "Embrace the Magic".

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[[AC: Web Comics]]
* ''WebComic/StandStillStaySilent'': The comic takes place in a ReligionIsMagic world. One of the mages, Reynir, has been shown using the pose both to actually pray and focus his magic.

[[AC: Web Original]]

[[AC: Western Animation]]
* ''Disney/ThePrincessAndTheFrog'': it's the standard "wishing on a star" pose. Both Tiana and Charlotte do it, while repeating "Please, please, ''please''!"

[[AC: Real Life]]

** And even earlier, during the Roman Empire, the usual prayer pose was the ''orans'': the person stands upright, arms outstretched, elbows bent, and hands pointing up (basically, the "hands up and surrender" pose). Interestingly enough, the pose has been resurrected by baptist and Pentecostal churches in the modern day.