Hamsa

The hamsa (, also romanized khamsa, meaning lit. five) or hand of Fatima (also called the hand of Miriam) is a palm-shaped amulet popular throughout the Middle East and North Africa. The hamsa is often incorporated in jewellery and wall hangings as a superstitious defense against the evil eye. It is also known as the hand of Fatima, commemorating Fatima Zahra, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad. Jews retained the name hamsa, but renamed it the hand of Miriam, referencing the sister of the biblical Moses and Aaron, so as not to name it after the daughter of the prophet of Islam.

The hamsa's path into Jewish culture, and its popularity particularly in Sephardic and Mizrahi Jewish communities, can be traced through its use in Islam. In Islamic tradition, the hand of Fatima "represents the hand of God, divine power, providence and generosity." It is one of the most common components of silver and gold jewellery in the region. Raising one's right hand with the palm showing and the fingers slightly apart is related to this curse meant "to blind the aggressor." Another formula uttered against the evil eye in Arabic is khamsa wa-khamis.

The number five in Islam is connected to the open hand, the pentagram of the five senses, marriage, the Five Pillars of Islam and the hand of Fatima.

With the establishment of the State of Israel, the widespread use of the talisman by Jews who came there from Islamic countries declined precipitously. Its association with superstition was out of place in the secularly conceived state and its 'Easternness' was looked down upon in the Western centric Ashkenazi cultural milieu that dominated. A popular 'good luck' charm, it appears on necklaces, keychains, postcards, telephone and lottery cards, and in advertisements. It is also incorporated into high-end jewellery, decorative tilework and wall decorations.

Five (hamesh in Hebrew) represents the five books of the Torah for Jews. It also symbolizes the fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, He (letter), which represents one of God's holy names. Many Jews believe that the five fingers of the hamsa hand remind its wearer to use their five senses to praise God.

There are two main styles of a hamsa hand: the stylized hamsa hand with two symmetrical thumbs, and hamsa hands that are not symmetrical and shaped like actual hands. Either hamsa hand can be worn with the fingers pointing up or down.

The renewed interest in Kabbalah and mystical Judaism is a factoring in bringing the hamsa pendant back into vogue. In Jewish mysticism, fish are a symbol of good luck, so many hamsas are also decorated with fish images. Sometimes hamsas are inscribed with Hebrew prayers, such as the Sh'ma, Birkat HaBayit (Blessing for the Home), or Tefilat HaDerech (Traveler's Prayer).

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Category:Amulets Category:Fatimah Category:Islamic symbols Category:Islamic culture Category:Jewish mysticism Category:Jewish symbols Category:Judeo-Islamic topics Category:National symbols of Algeria