Replica of a pendant from Eretz-Israel, early 20th century
The hamsa (meaning “five” in Arabic) is an amulet in the form of an open palm, intended to ward off the evil eye and enhance good fortune. In Islamic tradition, it symbolizes the “hand of Fatima”, the daughter of the prophet Muhammad, as well as the five tenets of Islam (each represented by one of the fingers): faith, prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage. In Judaism, it has come to be associated with the Five Books of Moses and with God’s name (indicated by heh, the fifth letter of Hebrew alphabet).
