Hamsa

What Is A Hamsa?

The Hamsa is a very interesting symbol used in both Islamic and Jewish culture. Most commonly, the Hamsa is made in the shape of a hand with five fingers outstretched. There is, however, the uniԛue Cohanim Hamsa. In this position, the forefinger and third finger are joined from one side, and the ring finger and the little finger are joined from the other side. This forms the Hebrew letter “shin” and is the position of a Cohen’s fingers when he blesses the congregation.

origin of the name

The name “Hamsa” (“Hansa” in Sanskrit, or “Al Khamsa” in Arabic) is from the Semitic root word for five and is a very ancient symbol in the Middle East. Although it is an ancient symbol, the Hamsa is still popular today and is believed to possess magical powers of protection, happiness, and prosperity.

The Hand of Miriam the Prophet

Some say that the Jews were the first to adopt the use of the Hamsa, as a protective amulet against the evil eye. Jewish lore sometimes calls the Hamsa the Hand of Miriam, referring to Miriam, the sister of Moses, or it is more generally called the Hand of God.

Imitation in Islam of the Hand

The Hamsa hand is also a popular talisman with Muslims, who call it the Hand of Fatima, referring to the daughter of Mohammed. To the Muslims, the Hamsa sometimes refers to the five pillars of Islam.

The Hamsa (also spelled “Chamsa” or “Khamsa”) is a very versatile symbol and can be worn as a pendant, can be used as a wall hanging or is sometimes even placed in a car for good luck and protection from evil.

When trying to decide where to hang a Hamsa you may find a lot of answers, but the truth is that it is according to your feelings. Hang the Hamsa where you need its powers of success or where you desire its powers of defense. As well as being worn as jewelry on your body, the Hamsa can be used as wall decor in your bedroom or living room, or you could hang it in your kitchen where everyone would be blessed, or under the mirror of your car, to bring good fortune and prosperity.

As to whether it is appropriate to use the Hamsa with the fingers pointing up or down, it depends upon whether you wish for protection against the evil eye, or for luck and success. With the fingers pointed up, the Hamsa symbolizes a “stop sign” to the adversary, in other words, for protection. With the fingers pointed down, the Hamsa symbolizes God’s goodness and blessings coming down to the wearer or to the room where it is hung. The interpretation of the Hamsa is for the individual who owns it.

The source of the Hamsa from the Jewish Kabbalah

For those interested in numerology, the word “Hamsa” means five, which is a prime number. The number five is a powerful number symbolizing protection, power and good fortune. The fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet is “hey,” which means “Ado-nai” (God). The word “yad” (Hebrew for “hand,” the shape of the Hamsa) has the number 14. If you take the number 14 and view it as 1 plus 4, it equals 5, the number for Ado-nai.

In Chinese philosophy, the number five symbolizes the five senses, five basic colors and five elemental activities — Earth, Fire, Metal, Water, and Wood, and it is linked to the “sefira” Geburah, on the tree of life (Kabbalah).

Metal Hamsa

The Hamsa Shape – a five-fingered palm, an oriental ornament derived from Kabbalistic manuscripts, and widely accepted as a product to evade the evil eye from home, embodying love and blessing and success. On this page you will find ‘hamsas’ of various sizes, beautifully crafted metal in color tones, with special forms of Jewish motifs, pomegranates and grapes, built Jerusalem and the tree of life. You can hang the hamsa on the wall or as a desk stand and enjoy a special artistic decoration for the home, which will add a lot to the look and feel of your family