The Hamsa
The
Hamsa (also known as
Khamsa) is a hand shaped amulet used
for protection by both Jewish and Muslim people. Its name comes from a
Semitic root and literally means "five". The Hamsa is usually shaped in
the form of a symmetrical hand, with thumbs on both side, and not in
the anatomically correct way. Though it is widely used by both Jewish
and Muslim people, its origins pre-dates both religions and is
attributed to the goddess Tanit who was a Phoenician lunar goddess,
worshiped as the patron goddess at Carthage.
Islamic Hamsa
In Islam, the Hamsa is also known as "
The
hand of Fatima", after the Prophet Mohammad's only daughter,
who's also related to many miracles such as rain making. The story
tells that one day Fatima was busy stirring a pot when her husband Ali
came into the house with a new wife he had just married (Muslim men are
allowed to marry 4 wives). Struck by grief and sorrow, Fatima let the
ladle slip from her hand and continued stirring with her own hand, not
noticing the pain. Her hand has since become a symbol for patience and
faith. The Hamsa is also said to symbolize the five pillars or tenets
of Islam.
Judaic Hamsa
In Judaism, The Hamsa is also known as "YAD HA'CHAMESH" (The hand of
five) or "
The hand of Miriam"
after the sister of Moses and Aaron. It is also connected to five books
of the Torah.
Hamsa for protection
The Hamsa is used to ward of the evil eye and can be found on the
entrances of homes, in cars, on charm bracelets and chains and more. It
is also common to place other symbols in the middle of the Hamsa that
are believed to help against the evil eye such as fish, eyes and the
Star of David. The color blue, or more specifically light blue, is also
considered protective against the evil eye and we could see many Hamsas
in that color or with embedded gemstones in different shades of
blue. In Jewish use, Hamsas are often decorated with prayers of a
protective fashion such as the Sh'ma Prayer, the Birkat HaBayit
(Blessing for the Home), or the Tefilat HaDerech (Traveler's Prayer).