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| Hamsa T-shirt |
| The Hamsa or Khamsa is a symbol used in amulets, charms, jewelry, door entrances, cars, and other places. An alternative Islamic name for this charm is the Hand of Fatima or Eye of Fatima, in reference to Fatima Zahra, the daughter of Muhammed |
An alternative Jewish name for it is the Hand of Miriam, in reference to
Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron as well as the Hamesh Hand. It
serves as an ancient talismanic way of averting and getting protection from
the evil eye, or more generally of providing a "protecting ,hand" or "Hand of
God". It appears, often in stylised form, as a hand with three fingers raised,
and sometimes with two, thumbs arranged symmetrically.
Some sources link the significance of the five fingers to the five books of the
Torah for Jews, the Five Pillars of Islam for Sunnis, or the five People of the
Cloak for Shi'ites. This significance may have been attributed after the fact,
as considerable archaeological evidence suggests that the hamsa hand
predates both religions.
In recent years some activists for Middle East peace have chosen to wear
the hamsa as a symbol of the similarities of origins and tradition between the
Islamic and Jewish faiths. The fingers point up or down usually.
Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron as well as the Hamesh Hand. It
serves as an ancient talismanic way of averting and getting protection from
the evil eye, or more generally of providing a "protecting ,hand" or "Hand of
God". It appears, often in stylised form, as a hand with three fingers raised,
and sometimes with two, thumbs arranged symmetrically.
Some sources link the significance of the five fingers to the five books of the
Torah for Jews, the Five Pillars of Islam for Sunnis, or the five People of the
Cloak for Shi'ites. This significance may have been attributed after the fact,
as considerable archaeological evidence suggests that the hamsa hand
predates both religions.
In recent years some activists for Middle East peace have chosen to wear
the hamsa as a symbol of the similarities of origins and tradition between the
Islamic and Jewish faiths. The fingers point up or down usually.
Hamsas are popular as charms and decorations in Israel and are not
considered to have any Islamic connection other than the Arabic name.
Among Jews, fish are considered to be immune to the evil eye, so their
images are often found on Hamsas. Hamsas are often made in the form of
amulets, wall plaques, keychains, or motifs on other objects, and often
feature doves. They are also frequently inscribed with Hebrew prayers
depending on their use, such as the Sh'ma, the Birkat HaBayit (Blessing for
the Home), or the Tefilat HaDerech (Traveler's Prayer).
considered to have any Islamic connection other than the Arabic name.
Among Jews, fish are considered to be immune to the evil eye, so their
images are often found on Hamsas. Hamsas are often made in the form of
amulets, wall plaques, keychains, or motifs on other objects, and often
feature doves. They are also frequently inscribed with Hebrew prayers
depending on their use, such as the Sh'ma, the Birkat HaBayit (Blessing for
the Home), or the Tefilat HaDerech (Traveler's Prayer).