What is a Hamsa Hand? (Also Spelled Hamesh, Chamsa, Khamsa)
 The
hamsa is an ancient Middle Eastern amulet symbolizing the Hand of God.
In all faiths it is a protective sign. It brings it's owner happiness,
luck, health, and good fortune.
The hamsa hand is known by many names—hamsa, hamsa hand, hamesh, hamesh
hand, khamsa, and chamsa. It is also called the Hand of Miriam, named
for Moses and Aaron’s sister. There are two main styles of a hamsa hand:
the most popular is the stylized hamsa hand with two symmetrical thumbs,
but there are also hamsa hands that are not symmetrical and shaped like
actual hands.
Either hamsa hand can be worn with the fingers pointing up or down,
and both are believed to offer its owner happiness, peace, and prosperity,
as well as protection from the ayin ha'ra, or the evil eye. The renewed
interest in Kabbalah and mystical Judaism has brought the hamsa
pendant back into vogue, and many artists are using the image of the
hamsa hand in various aspects of their art including hamsa
jewelry, paintings, sculptures, wall
hamsas, and amulets.
Origin of the Hamsa Hand
Although the hamsa hand has been symbolic in Islam and Judaism for centuries,
archeological digs in the Middle East provide evidence that the hamsa
pre-dates these religions and originated with the Phoenicians and was
used as a protective symbol for an ancient Middle Eastern goddess. The
hamsa hand has always been associated with a female entity offering protection
from evil and misfortune.
Hamsa Hand Symbology
The word “hamsa” or “hamesh” means five. There are five digits on the
hamsa hand, but the number five has additional symbolic meaning in the
Jewish and Islamic traditions. Five (hamesh in Hebrew) represents the
five books of the Torah for Jews. It also symbolizes the fifth letter
of the Hebrew alphabet, "Heh", which represents one of God’s
holy names. It symbolizes the Five Pillars of Islam for Sunnis, and the
Five People of the Cloak for Shi'ites.
In the Jewish religion, the Jewish hamsa hand also symbolizes the Hand
of God. Many Jews believe the hamsa pendant symbolizes the Hand of Miriam,
the sister of Moses and Aaron. 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. It is
most often worn as a hamsa necklace, but can be found as a decorative
element in houses, on key chains, on other jewelry items, and is quickly
gaining popularity as an amulet in baby carriages. In addition to averting
the gaze of the evil eye, it brings its wearer or owner happiness, luck,
health, and good fortune.
Hamsas for Peace in the Middle East
In recent years, activists for peace in the Middle East have adopted
the hamsa hand. Because hamsa hand symbology is believed to predate most
modern religions, those who actively support a peaceful resolution to
the ongoing Israeli conflict believe that wearing the hamsa hand highlights
not only the similarities of Judaism and Islam, but also the similarities
of the origins of the religions. The hamsa symbol is believed to originate
from an ancient Middle Eastern religion, and some Jews and Muslims wear
the hamsa as a gesture for hope, peace, and prosperity in Israel and other
areas of the Middle East.
Jewish Gift Place is proud to carry a large hamsa
pendant selection including a hamsa
necklace collection, a wall
hamsa collection, hamsa
earrings, and hamsa
bracelets. They are made from sterling silver, gold, pearls, and semi-precious
stones. Hamsa
jewelry is a meaningful and wonderful gift for any occassion, whether
it's a housewarming gift, a Bat Mitzvah gift, Hanukkah gift, anniversary
or birthday gift. Each hamsa pendant sold by Jewish Gift Place comes with
a card that includes the Hamsa prayer above, and a brief explanation of
the meaning of the Hamsa hand.
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