The Hamsa Hand is a symbol that is commonly found in the Middle East and North Africa, and it is believed to bring good luck, good fortune, good health, happiness, and protection from the Evil Eye.
The Hamsa hand is typically depicted as a hand with three extended fingers and two thumbs that are held together, and it is often shown with an eye in the center of the palm.
Here are 5 holy facts about the Hamsa Hand, also known as the Hand of Fatima, the Hand of Miriam, Hand of Mary, Hamesh, Hand of the Goddess, Hamesh, and Khamsa.
What Does the Hamsa Mean?
The Hamsa hand is a symbol that is believed to bring good luck and protect against evil.
The Hamsa Hand is believed to have powerful protective powers and is often used as a talisman to ward off negative energy. It is also seen as a symbol of faith and is often used in a variety of contexts, including as a decorative element in artwork and jewelry.
In addition to its protective qualities, the Hamsa hand is also associated with good luck and is believed to bring blessings and positive energy to those who carry it.
How Old is the Hamsa Hand?
While Christianity began in 30 AD, and Islam in 610 AD, the Hamsa Hand was used by the people of Carthage (modern-day Tunisia) in 800 BC.
With recent archeological discoveries dating the use of the Hamsa back to 1500 BC in ancient Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq).
In erstwhile Carthage, the Hamsa symbol represented goddess Tanit, who held the meaning of life. While in Mesopotamia, the Hamsa represented goddess Ishtar (also called Inanna), who was the queen of heaven and believed to bestow love, beauty, sex, justice, and political power.
A Symbol of Protection.
When the five fingers of the Hamsa Hand are pointing up, the Hamsa will protect the wearer from negativity and harm from others.
It will also help control the wearer’s own negative emotions, fears, greed, hatred, and insecurities.
The fingers may also be spread apart as a sign meant to repel evil.
A Sign of Welcoming.
If the Hamsa Hand faces downwards, then the Hamsa represents an abundance of goodness.
It becomes a welcoming sign that invites good things into our life, including good luck, good fortune, good health, and happiness.
In this position, the fingers are generally close together, as a sign of invitation for good luck.
Hand with Eye Meaning.
The Hamsa Hand can often be seen with the Evil Eye Symbol at the center of the palm. This is the Evil Eye of protection, meant to repeal the Evil Eye of others and protect the wearer.
The Evil Eye is a belief starting in antiquity that willingly or unwillingly others can cast an ‘evil eye’ of jealousy, envy, or malice on a person or a personal object, which brings them harm or misfortune.
The belief in the ‘evil eye’ spans across centuries, civilizations, religions, languages, and cultures. Known by different words and different symbols, but nearly the same interpretation.
The Hamsa Hand is a Near Universal Symbol.
The Hamsa Hand is often depicted with other religious symbols including the Eye of God or the all-seeing eye, the Star of David, Crescent Moon and Stars, as well the Holy Cross.
The Hamsa Hand can also often be seen with a Lotus Flower, a symbol of purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration, and rebirth. As even with its roots in the dirtiest of water, the Lotus produces the most beautiful flower.
As well as with the Fish or Fish Tail, a symbol of fertility, rebirth, good luck, health, happiness, strength, and endurance. It is claimed that fish are resistant to the Evil Eye as they are always underwater, not visible directly to the human eye.
Bring Home All The Hamsa Blessings!
The Hamsa Hand is often used as a decorative element in artwork and jewelry, and as a talisman to ward off negative energy. It is also sometimes worn as a charm or amulet for good luck and protection.
It is also common to see the Hamsa Hand depicted with floral or other decorative elements, such as intricate patterns or gemstones. It is also hung in the doorway of expecting mothers and newborn babies.
The Hamsa symbol is most commonly carved into or formed in silver, a metal believed to represent purity and hold magical properties.
A unique commonality between Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
Before the alphabet, words, sentences, and languages, there were symbols. Owing to its origins in prehistory, the Hamsa Hand is a near-universal symbol across the world today, adopted by many major religions.
Known as the Hand of Fatima in Islam, the Hand of Mary in Christianity, the Hand of Miriam in Judaism, and also present in the ancient religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
The Khamsa or Hamsa has stood with mankind as a symbol of divinity, protection, good luck, and good fortune throughout the centuries past, transcending modern-day countries, religions, and cultures.
Known as the Hand of Mary.
While the Hamsa Hand is not a traditional symbol in Christianity, it has been embraced by some individuals within the Christian faith as a symbol of protection and good luck.
Some Christian believers may see the Hamsa Hand as a symbol of the hand of God, and may view it as a reminder of the presence and protection of God in their lives. It is also possible that some Christian believers may see the Hamsa Hand as a symbol of the divine feminine, and may associate it with the Virgin Mary or other female figures in the Christian tradition.
However, it is important to note that the Hamsa hand is not a universally accepted symbol in Christianity, and its meaning may vary depending on the individual context in which it is used.
Also Known as the Hand of Miriam.
In Judaism, the Hamsa Hand is sometimes referred to as the Hand of Miriam, after the sister of Moses in the Jewish tradition.
The Hamsa Hand is seen as a symbol of protection and good luck, and it is believed to bring blessings and positive energy to those who possess it. Some Jews may also see the Hamsa hand as a symbol of divine intervention or as a reminder of the presence of God in their lives.
The Hamsa hand is commonly found in Jewish homes and synagogues, and it is often used as a decorative element in artwork and jewelry. It is also sometimes worn as a charm or amulet for good luck and protection.
"Hamsa, Hamsa, Hamsa, tfu, tfu, tfu” is a common expression in Israel, meant to spit out bad luck!
Known as the Hand of Fatima.
In Islam, the Hamsa hand is known as the Hand of Fatima, after the daughter of the prophet Muhammad. It is a symbol of protection and good luck, and it is believed to bring blessings and positive energy to those who possess it.
In Islamic folklore, Fatima's hand or the Hand of Fatima is said to symbolize patience, abundance, faithfulness, and brings power, blessing, and good luck.
The Hamsa of Hand of Fatima is commonly found in Islamic homes and mosques, and is a popular symbol within the Islamic faith. The Arabic word for Hamsa is also five, which is said to represent the five pillars of Islam, namely Profession of Faith, Prayer, Alms to the needy, Fasting, and Pilgrimage.
There is also an ancient saying in Arabic, “khamsa fi ainek” which translates to “five fingers in your eye”, concerning warding off the evil eye.
Known as Varadamudra and Abhayamudra.
In Hinduism and Buddhism, the Hamsa Hand facing down is known as the Varadamudra, a symbolic gesture often seen in religious paintings and statues symbolizing the gifting of boons, granting of wishes, and mercy.
While the Hamsa Hand facing up is known as Abhayamudra, a symbol of protection from evil, self-ignorance, and a symbol of peace, benevolence, and the dispelling of fears.
Hamsa is also associated with the number five, which relates to the five chakras through which energy is believed to flow in a human body. As well as the five senses of a human body, and the five mudras or symbolic gestures made by hand and fingers, that facilitate the flow of energy within a body.