The Hamsa, or the Hand of Fatima, is a symbolic hand which represents protection in both Jewish and Islamic cultures. Relating to Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet Mohammed (the founder of Islam), and Miriam, the sister of Moses, this symbol directly correlates back to various religions and cultures.
The hamsa is deemed sacred in the Buddhism, as a symbol of wisdom.
Known as the Hand of Fatima in Islam and Hand of Miriam in Judaism, it's believed to protect against against the evil eye and and all negative energies. The word “Hamsa” means “five,” representing the fingers of the right hand.
For Hindus and Buddhists, the hamsa represents the chakras, the five senses and their associated mudras (hand gestures) that re-direct energy flow throughout the body.
Due to its significance in both Arabic and Berber culture, the hamsa is one of the national symbols of Algeria and appears in its emblem. It is also the most popular among the different amulets (such as the Eye and the Hirz—a silver box containing verses of the Quran) for warding off the evil eye in Egypt.
Although the hand of Hamsa is now synonymous with Judaism and Islam, its original symbol still remains. In this way, it is acceptable for anyone to wear it, no matter whether they are religious or simply trying to ward off evil and bring on good luck.
The Hamsa Hand: A Universal Sign of Protection
The evil eye originated as a symbol but is generally known as bad energy brought by anyone with malice or through evil looks. The Hamsa hand is universally known for uniting the good, dispelling the bad, bringing about positive energy, and thwarting negative energies.
If you feel comfortable wearing an evil eye amulet and the protective hamsa symbol together, then go for it! Some people believe that the hamsa hand also protects against the evil eye, so wearing both may offer extra security to the wearer. However, others feel that the two symbols cancel each other out.
Evil eye jewellery is also said to provide protection from evil forces, while Hamsa jewellery is said to bring good luck. Evil eye jewellery is typically made with blue enamel or glass, and often has a evil eye charm or symbol on it.
Both the Evil Eye and the Hand of Hamsa amulet have protection powers, particularly in regards to warding off negativity and destructive glances. However, they both have unique qualities too. Because of this, people often wear them together to experience and enjoy the magic of both.
Hamza (Arabic: همزة hamzah) ( ء) is a letter in the Arabic alphabet, representing the glottal stop [ʔ]. Hamza is not one of the 28 "full" letters and owes its existence to historical inconsistencies in the standard writing system. It is derived from the Arabic letter ʿAyn ( ع).
As the Ahl al-Bayt is revered by Shia Muslims, the Hand is more popular with members of that sect. The Hand of Fatima is often treated as an exception to the Quran's condemnation of symbolism and superstitious practices, and is used to varying degrees across the Muslim world.
The hamsa is a palm-shaped symbol historically used by both Jews and Muslims in Arab countries as an amulet to ward off evil forces, particularly the “evil eye.” The word is derived from the Arabic word for “five,” and depicts the five fingers of the human hand.
Mudras are a set of hand gestures and finger positions that serve as symbols in Buddhist art, representing the Buddha's various roles and states of mind. Mudras were first seen in statues from. Gandhara.
Hamsa is a Sanskrit term meaning "white swan." In the Hindu tradition, this graceful aquatic bird represents divine Spirit; and, in the practice of yoga, hamsa represents the "life force," or prana, that is summoned by the breath.
Buddha's Hand, likely originating in India more than 2,000 years ago, is considered a religious offering in Buddhist temples. The fruit acts as a symbol for happiness, longevity and good fortune, and is typically given as a New Year's gift.
In the Islamic faith, the hamsa hand symbolizes The Hand of Fatima, daughter of the Prophet Mohammed. Many Jews believe that the five fingers of the hamsa hand remind its wearer to use their five senses to praise God. Hamsa hands often contain an eye symbol, which is a powerful talisman against the evil eye.
The Different Types of Evil Eyes
Unconscious evil eyes: These types of evil eyes cause harm to people and things without necessarily intending to do so. Conscious evil eyes: These intend to cause harm and bad luck. Unseen evil eyes: These happen to be the most dangerous as they represent hidden evil.
Some countries believe it is bad luck to buy an evil eye for yourself while others don't think it is such a big deal. While it isn't their FIRST CHOICE, many don't believe it is bad luck to buy a charm for yourself, they just wouldn't do it if they could have someone else get one for them.
“In our religion, attitudes, behaviours and beliefs that attribute the ultimate influence on anything other than Allah are forbidden. For this reason, it is not permissible to wear evil eye amulets and similar things around the neck or anywhere for the purpose of benefiting from them.”
The symbol of the hamsa itself is not considered to be a marker for any particular religion or belief system, and has not been considered offensive when worn as a tattoo.
The hamsa is an ancient symbol important to multiple religions including Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and Christianity. It represents luck, protection, guidance, feminine power, and faith, among other meanings. Hamsa was approved as part of Unicode 14.0 in 2021 and added to Emoji 14.0 in 2021.
Dating back nearly 2,000 years to Mesopotamia, Fatima's Hand (Hamsa) is an ancient talisman for feminine power often referred to as 'the healing hand'. The hand is worn as a defense against negative energy, deflecting the gaze of the evil eye away.
Anybody can wear the evil eye for protection, regardless of age, gender, spiritual affiliation, or emotional center. Use the symbolism of the evil eye to remind you that you are loved and protected in all areas of your life.