The Hand (Khamsa), particularly the open right hand, is a sign of protection that also represents blessings, power, and strength, and is seen as potent in deflecting the evil eye.
The
hamsa (
Arabic:
خمسة
khamsah, also romanized
khamsa, meaning lit. "five") is a palm-shaped
amulet popular throughout the
Middle East and
North Africa, and commonly used in
jewelry and wall hangings. Depicting the open right hand, an image recognized and used as a sign of protection in many societies throughout history, the hamsa is believed to provide defense against the
evil eye. The symbol predates Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In Islam, it is also known as the
hand of Fatima, so named to commemorate
Muhammad's daughter
Fatima Zahra. Levantine Christians call it the
hand of Mary, for the
Virgin Mary.
Jews refer to it as the
hand of Miriam in remembrance of the biblical
Miriam, sister of
Moses and
Aaron.
In Islam, the hamsa is called the Hand of Fatima, in honor of one of the daughters of the Prophet Mohammed. Some say that in Islamic tradition the five fingers represent the Five Pillars of Islam. In Old-Turkish this sign is called: 'pence-i al-i aba', with 'pence' meaning 'hand' or 'five', referring to the household of the Islamic prophet Muhammed.
The Hand (Khamsa), particularly the open right hand, is a sign of protection that also represents blessings, power, and strength, and is seen as potent in deflecting the evil eye.
I'm in love with this beautiful symbol and have jewelry and art work.