Hamsa hand : all about this symbol
The Hamsa Hand, also known as the Hand of Myriam, Hamsa or Hand of Mary, is much more than a simple decorative object. This amulet, often represented in the form of a hand with outstretched fingers, has deep spiritual significance in the Islamic religion. The Phoenicians adopted it as a symbol of protection, considering it a good luck charm. Featuring a symbolic blue color, the Hamsa Hand is often transformed into jewelry such as necklaces, pendants, bracelets and rings.
This amulet, turned upwards to symbolize the will of God, has passed through time, becoming an essential element of culture and history. During the month of Ramadan, it acquires particular importance, often used in ritual prayer. The Hamsa Hand, as the sister of Moses, carries with it its own meaning, uniting natural elements in an artistic representation that goes beyond aesthetics to embody faith and protection. From the mural to the earring, it remains a symbol of spiritual power and connection with the divine, evoking a deep, meaningful story.
How to recognize the symbol of the Hamsa Hand ?
Basically, the hand of Fatma is shaped like a human hand, but with a few special features. First of all, when we observe it from the front, we have the impression that it has two thumbs. Moreover, if we make a transversal cut of this hand, and if we join the two parts, we obtain a perfect superposition: what is impossible to realize with a human hand.
In some representations, Fatma's hand is equipped with an eye called " protective eye " or " eye of luck ". It is located in the center of the symbol, just below the three vertical fingers. According to many books, this eye is not there by chance. Its mission is to watch over and protect all those who wear and believe in this symbol.
What is the meaning of the Hamsa hand, also called the hand of Fatima, or Khamsa?
This hand has several names: the khamsa, khmissa, Khomsa or tafust. It is a symbol used as an amulet, talisman and jewel by the inhabitants of North Africa and the Middle East to protect themselves against the evil eye. This symbol is often associated with the Punic goddess Tanit
In Berber language, the term "tafust" means "little hand". The term "khamsa" means "five" in Arabic and Hebrew, referring to the five fingers of the hand, a number that plays a fundamental role in numbering systems. The tafust is also sometimes called Hand of Fatma, Hand of Fatima or Hand of Myriam. Regardless of country or time, this hand gesture is a gesture of love and compassion. The hand pointing downwards symbolizes the divine blessing. The hand pointing upwards is a symbol of protection.
The Hand of Blessing is often referred to as the Hand of Fatima/Fatma or the Hamsa hand. This name evokes a Middle Eastern consonance. This symbol can be found in North Africa, in the Middle East (Egypt) but also in India with the Ahimsa hand. Its most probable origin would go back to the Neolithic period with the cult of the Great Goddess. Indeed, her blessing has always been at the origin of all the rituals elaborated during the ages to receive her benefits.
What does the eye represent?
The eye, organ of sight and perception of the world, has a very strong symbolism. Human knowledge or divine omniscience, protective or punitive, it is used in all civilizations as a symbol to represent the invisible or the unspeakable.
This eye is called "protective eye" or "eye of luck". It is located in the center of the hand, in the palm, just below the three vertical fingers. According to many books, this eye is not there by chance. Its mission is to watch over and protect all the people who wear this symbol and who believe in it. It is usually blue in color.
It reminds us of the eye of Horus in ancient Egypt. The eye of Horus or eye of Udjat is a protective symbol representing the eye of the falcon god Horus
But also to the Greek blue eye, also called matiasma. Do you know it?
When you go to Greece, you will often come across pretty and symbolic blue eyes. You can't miss them because they can be seen everywhere: hanging in cars, stores, houses, in jewelry. These symbols are also called blue eyes, Greek eyes or matiasma in Greek
The symbol of the blue evil eye draws its strength from the belief of the "evil eye". The evil eye is a curse. It is usually cast by an envious person. The consequence is to expose the targeted person to multiple misfortunes. This belief has many followers throughout the Mediterranean basin and is still very much alive today, including among young people. This is partly due to the influence of the former Ottoman Empire which was one of the first countries to popularize the belief of the evil eye.
The Mediterranean peoples therefore adopted protective measures to repel evil. They used talismans called matiasma in Greece, blue eye or Nazar Boncuk in Turkey. They were used as a preventive measure. Because in most cases, when the "evil eye" is cast, the person targeted cannot be aware of the evil that is wished upon him.
The blue eye was formalized as a talisman during the decline of the Ottoman Empire in the eighteenth century. It was the first Arab glass artisans who settled in the city of Izmir in present-day Turkey, who saw their art losing popularity in Anatolia. They decided to create a glass talisman in the shape of an eye that would embody the legend of the evil eye. It is a real success and this symbol is gradually integrated into the customs and culture of many countries of the Mediterranean basin.
What does it mean to have the evil eye?
According to Wikipedia, the evil eye is the supposed power of a person's eyes. It symbolizes the envious or jealous look of others. The popular belief is that this look causes bad luck
The "murderous look", or even in Europe in the Middle Ages, with the witches who were known to use the evil eye against all those who had the misfortune to cross their path. Their victims were then struck with various ailments, lost the love of their spouse or were thrown into misery.
Small children and animals are particularly vulnerable to the evil eye. Wherever superstitions related to the evil eye are still alive, it is considered dangerous to draw attention to the beauty of one's children, for fear that the evil eye will cast a jealous glance at them
Amulets or talismans are used to divert the evil influence. They are often in the shape of an eye, like the eye of Horus in ancient Egypt.
These eyes are traditionally placed :
- At the entrance of houses
- On the hull of boats, etc.
If you do not have an amulet, the most immediate response is a symbolic hand gesture called the sign of the horns (closed fist, index and little fingers pointing to form "horns"), which is recommended for deflecting the path of the evil eye.
There are also talismans representing a closed fist with the thumb located between the index and middle fingers. The Romans already had them (some of these talismans were found in the Roman city of Herculaneum). This type of talisman is called a "fig" (name coming from the gesture: the hand "making the fig".
Ancient times used representations of a face to ward off the evil eye. Thus, grotesque or hideous masks appear on tombs, the armour and leggings of warriors, door hammers, fountains, crockery, furniture and all everyday objects. These mascarons also decorate the facades.
In Portugal, children are protected from the evil eye with the help of necklaces holding small complex talismans composed of a crescent moon (against spells), a horn (for good luck), a pentacle and a hand "making the fig" (against the evil eye). The fig is often used alone.
In the Jewish tradition the red thread is used as protection against the evil eye, the symbols of the fig and the fish are also used
Etc etc.
The origins of the Hamsa hand
The eye of the Muslim world, the Hamsa hand is a religious symbol very widespread in the Arab countries. Discover the origins of this protective hand and its many symbols.
The Hamsa hand is a popular symbol. The Hamsa hand is a representation of the hand of Fatma, the daughter of Imam Ali, the fourth caliph of the dynasty of the four "rightly guided caliphs" of Islam.
The Hamsa hand is a very old symbol. It appeared as early as the 3rd century of the Hegira, or the 9th century of the Christian era. It then appeared for the first time in the text of the Gospel of Barnabas.
The Hamsa hand in Islam
In addition to being a symbol very present in the Berber customs and beliefs, the hand of Fatma, also called Tafust, is also found in the Punic religion and the Carthaginian culture, where it was also associated with the goddess Tanit.
Tanit or Tinnit is a goddess in charge, according to Berber and Carthaginian beliefs, of fertility, births and growth. She also represents the feminine beauty
Some tend to associate the sign of the five fingers with the five books of the Torah for Jews, the five pillars of Islam or the five of the cloak (Ahl al-Kisa, namely the Prophet, his daughter Fatima and her husband Ali, and their two sons Hassan and Hussein) for Muslims. This symbolism may have evolved over time in light of archaeological evidence suggesting that the khamsa preceded the birth of both religions. Indeed, this symbol already existed in the Punic and Libyan polytheistic religions where it was associated with the goddess Tanit
Who was Fatma?
Fatima Zahra, or Fatima the Resplendent, the Brilliant, is the daughter of the Prophet of Islam Muhammad and his first wife Khadija, born in Mecca at an uncertain date, in 604, 6052, 609 or 615 according to sources, and died in Medina around 632.
Considered by Muslims as al-Zahra, the shining one, she is one of the most symbolic female characters of the Muslim religion. she is one of the most symbolic female figures in the Muslim religion. "The shining one", that is to say the bearer of a light that is communicated to her by God and that makes the heavens shine.
The symbol of Fatma's hand in Buddhism
The posture of the blessing hand is found throughout Asia, where it is called the blessing mudra. There are many mudras that can be seen on all statues of Buddhist or Hindu deities. The most representative is that of the green Tara with her hand open facing the meditator and often with the tip of the thumb and forefinger joined (mudra of sublime generosity) or me mudra of the Chinese goddess Guan Yin with her hand open downwards or upwards.
Among Hindus and Buddhists, the hand of Fatma corresponds rather to the interaction of the chakras and the 5 senses. There is a flow of energy in the human body, and each finger represents an energy.
Example of a Buddhist Fatma's hand
- The thumb represents Fire or the solar plexus chakra
- The index finger represents Air or the heart chakra
- The middle finger represents the element of quintessence or the throat chakra
- The ring finger represents the earth or the root chakra
- Finally the little finger represents water or the sacred chakra
Symbolism of the number 5
For North African Jews, the number 5 is associated with the fight against the Ain, the "evil eye", that of the envious look, the thought of jealousy that must be countered with an amulet. The wide open hand opposes the evil eye.
For Muslims the symbolism of Fatma's hand is different. For Muslims the origin of Fatma's hand and the number 5 is linked to the prophet Mohamed.
"In Fatima's home lived her father, the Prophet Mohamed, Fatima, her husband Ali and her two children, Hassen and Hussein. They gathered under the same sheet and Fatima joined them. Muhammad raised his right hand and prayed. Then the Archangel appeared and said: God wants to free you from your defilement and thus purify you, and the Archangel Gabriel (Djibriel) joined them under the sheet."
The hand transmits power, protection, offering, or the law of the Prophet. Symbol of the gift and the written language. The hand is one of the oldest known mythological representations in the world of Islam, still playing the role of protector against the evil eye.
The number 5 refers to the 5 dogmas or fundamental precepts of the Prophet's law.
Hamsa hand brings good luck
The hand pointing downwards is a sign of divine blessing.
The hand pointing upwards has a protective power.
Whatever the country or time, this hand gesture is a gesture of love and compassion. The hand of blessing is a symbol of possible divine intercession. But the usefulness of a symbol depends on the person who wears or uses it and the interaction they create with it.
Who carries Hamsa hand?
One could be tempted to assimilate this symbol to certain cultures but this is an illusion. Because in the end all symbols bring us back to the same point: God. God, the universe or whatever you want to call it. What you have to understand with symbols is that they inexorably bring us back to the center, to us. They are wonderful aids that accompany you on your path of evolution.
What are the benefits of the Hamsa hand?
Hamsa hand is one of the most famous and used of all talismans
A talisman can be defined as an object, usually a ring or an inscribed stone, which is believed to have magical powers and to bring good luck. The origins of the word seem to go back to the mid-17th century to an Arabic word, tilsam, possibly an alteration of the Greek telesma, meaning "completion of a religious rite", from telein, "to complete, perform a rite", from telos, result, end. The etymology of the word, the study of its origin, gives us good clues to define its meaning.
Some people believe that an amulet is used to protect oneself, to repel negative energies, while talismans are used to attract positive energies and empower those who wear them. These objects can be items displayed or kept in your environment, such as your home or workspace, or can be worn on you, such as jewelry.
Where to place a Hamsa hand?
In some cultures it is customary to place a Hamsa hand on the front of the house.
As a decoration you can place a Hamsa hand painting in your living room or bedroom. There is no contraindication as with other symbols that would generate too much energy in a bedroom for example.
You can also place a Hamsa hand suncatcher in your living room or in your bedroom near the window so that the sun's rays come to tickle the crystal and flood your room with happy halos of light.
Where to buy a Hamsa hand?
At Mandalashop, we will propose this symbol on different supports so that it will brighten up your daily life. So stay tuned for our next news!
We arrive at the end of this article. I hope you liked it
Do not hesitate to comment, to share and to subscribe to our newsletter to be informed of the next publications.
Source:
The power of symbols at Éditions Trajectoire