More about the Hamsa - What we can't fit on the label

We've been making our Hamsa wall plaque for years.  A number of them decorate and protect our own home, those of our children, other family members and, after 15 years, thousands of homes around the world.

What we do put on the label refers to it simply : This most ancient symbol originates from the earliest Mediterranean cultures.  The Hamsa is used to ward off the evil eye (ayin raah).  Often displayed near a door or window it will protect the bearer or domain.  That's what I can fit onto a 1 x 4 inch label in 9 point font.

Ah. But there's more.  

Hamsa is the Arabic word for the number 5 (the 5 fingers of the hand).  I've had many visitors from Morocco, where it is spelled "Khamsa", tell me that I have misspelled it.  I tell them each time that if I put a K in front of an H in the US it would make the name even more confusing.  It is spelled Hamsa,  Khamsa, Chamsa or Hamesh (Hebrew for 5).  The guttural sound of the the H, Kh or Ch is also quite foreign to most Americans so we just say "Hahm - sa".

The Hamsa has long been thought to bring it's owner happiness, health, strength and prosperity.  Similar to the old western tradition of hanging a horseshoe over a door, it's more an image of folklore rather than religion.  Our design has the eye in the center to deflect or repel the ayin raah or evil eye away from the bearer or domain.  We lived in Greece for a couple of years in the 70's.  Widowed Greek women dressed in black would often pin a tiny blue and white bead to the shirt of my infant son. There and in Turkey the focus is more on the eye than the hand and you will see the blue and white beads representing the eye to protect from ayin raah.  The concept of protection is the same.  As I've done more research on this I see that the "evil eye" is quite often thought of as envy.  The Hamsa with a center eye also protects against the bad luck brought on by the attention and jealousy of others.

There are two prominent Hamsa designs. One, a stylized hand with two symmetrical thumbs (this is our chosen depiction) and the other a more natural hand.  Both may be seen in jewelry, art and architecture with the fingers either pointing down or up.  Known by many names such as : Hand of Destiny, Hand of God.  By some Muslim communities as the Hand of Fatima (daughter of the prophet Mohammed) as a symbol of patience and faith. By some Jewish communities as the Hand of Miriam (sister of Moses). 

Archeological evidence suggests that a downward pointing hand predates both religions and is thought to be associated with Tanit, a supreme deity from Carthage whose hand was used to ward off the evil eye. 

You may have seen a Hamsa as jewelry.  I have visitors show me the Hamsa necklaces that they've brought back from Israel or received from friends that have been traveling in the Middle East.  Many of them say the same thing. "I've had this for years and I've never known what it means.  But I love it".

Traditionally a Hamsa wall plaque is hung inside the home where it would be the first thing you see as you enter.  Many people collect Hamsas and I've discovered that a home can't have too many of them.  We sell quite a few in the fall as children are going off to college.  Also as wonderful housewarming gifts.

The next time you come across one you will be so much more "in the know".  ~ kat