(A) Particular finger positions or gestures of the hand, common to their age and civilization, delivered a message that was instantly recognized by those who understood the symbolism.
(B) Since ancient times hands have been used in cave paintings, drawings, sculpture and fine art as symbols of communication.
(C) European religious paintings represented the Holy Trinity by the extended thumb, index and middle fingers of a hand.
(D) Ancient Egyptian and Semitic art, for example, depicted celestial power by a hand painted in the sky.
Choose the correct option.

After reading all the sentences it can be inferred that hands and finger positions were recognized by those who understood the symbolism in ancient times.

Option B introduces this idea and hence it is the introductory sentence of the passage. Option A further establishes how, particular finger positions delivered a message that was recognized by those who understood the symbolism. Hence, it should logically follow B.

Options D and C gives two examples of such symbolism. Here, D should precede C because, D has the term "for example" in it.

The correct order of sentences is therefore BADC