What is a Hamsa?

A hamsa is a type of charm, symbol or talisman that is commonly used by people of the Islamic and Jewish faiths, although members of other faiths might use it as well. Also called a hamesh hand, it looks like a hand that has three fingers pointing upward and the thumb and pinkie finger pointing outward. The palm of the hand is commonly covered with an eye. This symbol is thought to ward off "the evil eye" and offer protection from the hand of God.

The earliest use of a hamsa predates Islam, although the name hamsa is Arabic. Some people connect this symbol to its use by the Phoenicians or Punic people in honor of the goddess Tanit. She was considered the patron of Carthage and a goddess who controlled the lunar cycle. Many people identify Tanit as a possible type for Greek goddesses such as Hera and Athena.

Jews also use the hamsa symbol to ward off the so-called "evil eye." To many Jews, the symbol is connected to the five books of the Torah and is used for many things. Wall plaques, keychains and amulets often feature this symbol. Representations of the symbol might include the words of certain Hebrew prayers as well.

Wearing charms or amulets is technically against Qu’ran law, but in Islamic countries, one can often see plaques or other items that depict the hamsa symbol. Further, some people connect the five fingers of the hand to the Five Pillars of Islam.

Muslims often call this symbol "the hand of Fatima" or "the eye of Fatima," a reference to Muhammad’s daughter. Jewish people might refer to the hamsa symbol as "the hand of Miriam," a reference to the sister of Moses who is said to have watched over the baby Moses and to have ensured that their mother would be his nurse after he was found by Pharaoh’s daughter. Some Christians refer to it as the "hand of Mary," a reference to the mother of Jesus.

Some advocates for peace in the Middle East have begun wearing the hamsa to symbolize this goal. When worn in this fashion, it stands for the common ground shared by Jews and Muslims and the common source from which the Jewis and Islamic religions spring. Instead of being a talisman that is thought to have protective qualities, it becomes a gesture of hope for peace in the war-torn regions of the Middle East.