Everything about Khamsa totally explained
The
Hamsa (literally "five", ) is a symbol used in
amulets,
charms and
jewelry to protect against the "
evil eye."
An alternative
Islamic name for this charm is the
Hand of Fatima or
Eye of Fatima, in reference to
Fatima Zahra, the daughter of
Muhammad. An alternative
Jewish name is the
Hand of Miriam, in reference to
Miriam, the sister of
Moses and
Aaron. It is a kind of "protecting hand" or "hand of God".
Some associate the significance of the five fingers to the five books of the
Torah for Jews, the
Five Pillars of Islam for Sunnis, or the five People of the Cloak for
Shi'ites. This symbolism may have evolved at a later stage, in view of the fact that archaeological evidence suggests the hamsa predates both religions.
In recent years some activists for
Middle East peace have chosen to wear the hamsa as a symbol of the similarities of origins and tradition between the Islamic and Jewish faiths. The fingers can point up or down.
Arab custom
The hamsa is widespread in Arab countries, and is sold in many different forms especially in the marketplaces of Egypt, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. It is often painted on the fronts of homes. Nevertheless, many Arabs, Christian and Muslim, regard this as a superstition. They believe that only God protects them, and the hamsa is tantamount to
shirk, or idolatry. The symbol may have originated in
Punic religion, where it was associated with
Tanit. Hamsa plaques, often made of turquoise-colored ceramics, are very common in modern Egypt. The Hamsa is a protection or "magical pendant".
Jewish custom
Hamsas are popular as charms and decorations in
Israel and are not considered to have any Islamic connection other than the Arabic name. Among Jews, fish are considered to be a symbol of good luck, so many hamsas are also decorated with fish images. Hamsas are incorporated in wall plaques, mobiles, keychains and necklaces. Sometimes they're inscribed with Hebrew prayers, such as the
Sh'ma, the
Birkat HaBayit (
Blessing for the Home), or the
Tefilat HaDerech (
Traveler's Prayer). Hamsas may be displayed in either directon, up or down according to the taste or decoration associated with the Hamsa.
Popular Culture
The Hand of Fatima has been a traditional symbol to ward against evil in television as well. In the series, Charmed, the symbol was used against the demon Javnah in the second episode of Season One, "I've Got You Under My Skin." Here it was represented as a hand made up of living animals including a snake, turtle, and frog which destroyed the demon.
Further Information
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