You’ve seen it. It’s on the back of hoodies in line at Starbucks. It’s etched into the forearms of superfans. It’s that grainy, sketchy image of two hands pressed together, usually accompanied by a floating "6."
The drake praying hands symbol is one of those rare pieces of pop culture iconography that managed to escape the confines of a rap album and become a universal shorthand for being "blessed." But honestly, the history behind it is a lot weirder than just a rapper liking a specific emoji. People still argue about what it actually means. Is it a high five? Is it a religious plea? Is it just a smart marketing play for a city’s area code?
Actually, it’s all of those things, plus a 500-year-old German painting that Drake definitely didn't paint but definitely made famous again.
The 6 God and the Emoji That Broke the Internet
Back in 2014, Drake was transitiong from a successful rapper to a cultural deity. This was the era of If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late. He started leaning heavily into the "6 God" persona—a nod to Toronto’s 416 and 647 area codes.
To cement the brand, he got a tattoo.
Tattoo artist Dr. Woo posted the ink on Instagram: a small, black-and-gray emoji of the praying hands. Immediately, the internet did what it does best and started a massive, mostly useless debate. People claimed the 🙏 emoji wasn't actually praying hands at all, but two people giving a high five.
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Drake, being Drake, didn't let it slide. He hopped on Instagram to shut it down, basically saying he pities anyone who thinks people are out here high-fiving in 2014. For him, it was always about prayer, gratitude, and the "6."
But the "high five" myth persists because if you search "high five" on certain older smartphone keyboards, that emoji pops up. It’s a glitch in the Matrix that became a permanent part of the Drake lore.
That 16th-Century Connection (Albrecht Dürer)
Here’s the part most people miss. The specific "sketchy" version of the praying hands used for the 6 God merch and the If You're Reading This It's Too Late aesthetic isn't just a filter on a photo.
It’s based on a pen-and-ink drawing from 1508.
The original piece is titled Studie zu den Händen eines Apostels (Study of the Hands of an Apostle) by the German Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. Legend has it—though art historians debate this part—that the hands belonged to Dürer’s brother. The story goes that his brother worked in the mines to pay for Albrecht’s art school, and by the time Albrecht was successful, his brother’s hands were too damaged and gnarled from manual labor to ever paint again.
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Whether the "suffering brother" story is 100% factual or just a nice narrative, Drake’s team tapped into that specific energy. They took a symbol of sacrifice and old-world devotion and slapped it next to a "6."
It was a brilliant move. It gave a mixtape that sounded like a late-night drive through a cold city a sense of ancient, spiritual weight.
Why the Symbol Stuck
In hip-hop, symbols usually die out after a few years. You don't see many people rocking the Roc-A-Fella diamond anymore. But the drake praying hands survived.
Why? Because it’s versatile.
- The "Blessed" Culture: It perfectly captured the mid-2010s obsession with "gratitude" as a flex.
- The Toronto Identity: It turned an area code into a global brand. You can be from London or Tokyo and wear a "6" shirt because Drake made the number mean "home" or "tribe."
- Simplicity: It’s easy to replicate. A kid with a Sharpie can draw it on a notebook.
The Tattoo Evolution
If you track Drake’s ink, you’ll notice he didn't just stop at the emoji. He eventually "leveled up" the tattoo. He had a more detailed, artistic version of the Dürer hands done over the original emoji-style ink.
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It’s a classic Drake move. Start with the pop culture reference, then upgrade to the "high art" version once the world catches on.
Other celebs followed suit. Justin Bieber has a massive version on his leg. It became a staple of the "modern spiritual but not necessarily religious" aesthetic that dominates Instagram and TikTok.
How to Use the Iconography Today
If you’re looking to incorporate this look into your own style or brand, there are a few things to keep in mind so you don't look like you're stuck in 2015.
- Context is everything. The "praying hands" works best when it's understated. A small embroidery on a beanie or a subtle graphic on a heavy-weight tee feels more current than a giant screen print.
- Understand the "6". If you're wearing the hands with the 6, you're repping Toronto. If you aren't from there or don't have a connection, people might call you out on it.
- The Emoji vs. The Sketch. The "emoji" version is kitschy and ironic. The "Dürer sketch" version is moody and serious. Choose the one that fits your vibe.
The drake praying hands isn't just a logo. It’s a weird intersection of German art history, smartphone linguistics, and Canadian rap dominance. It’s proof that in the digital age, a symbol can mean whatever the most famous person in the room says it means.
Whether you think it’s a high five or a prayer, one thing is certain: Drake got exactly what he wanted—everyone talking about it.
Next Steps for Your Wardrobe:
If you're planning on getting the "6 God" hands as a tattoo or buying the vintage merch, look for the Albrecht Dürer inspired sketches specifically. The finer line work ages better as a tattoo and looks more "premium" on apparel compared to the flat, yellow emoji style. Ensure any merch you buy is from the official OVO line or verified vintage sellers, as the market is flooded with low-quality replicas of this specific design.