According to archaeological evidence, amulets were very common in the ancient cultures of biblical lands. These are pendants or other kinds of objects used by people to protect themselves from negative energies, evil and injuries, and also to attract good luck. One of these amulets, used in pendants, bracelets or tattoos is the Jamsa (Arab) hand, also known as Fatima’s hand.
hand of Fatima: meaning and origin
The Fatima’s hand, also known as Miram’s hand, Hamsa, Jamsa or Khamsa, is a very popular symbol around the world. Its first known use can be traced back to the Phoenicians, a civilization that spread throughout the Mediterranean region between 1550 and 350 BC This culture used the figure of the hand to represent Tanit, who was the patron goddess of Carthage, its capital city, and controlled the lunar cycle.
Over time, the hand that represented the goddess Tanit, was used as a protective amulet against evil and misfortunes, especially for the so-called the evil eyewhich is one of the oldest fears of humanity.
The symbol of the hand of Fatima thus reached other cultures and, in principle, was adopted by the ancient community of Sephardic Jews based in the Iberian Peninsula, where it was called “Hand of Miriam”, in relation to the sister of the characters. Biblical accounts Aaron, who became the first High Priest, and Moses, who led the Israelites out of Egypt.
Miriam played an important role in the story of Moses and was highly respected. The story tells that it was due to the virtues of Miriam that the Israelite people were always able to find water during the forty years that their journey through the desert lasted, on their way to the promised land. So, the hand of fatima meaning became protection, luck and happiness.
It was associated with the number five, which is “Hamesh” in Hebrew, in order to represent the five books of the Torah or Torah, which make up the so-called Pentateuch.
A very interesting characteristic of the hand of Fatima is that the ring and index fingers are shorter than the heart, but they are the same size between them. This feature can be interpreted differently according to each religion. For example: the Islamic religion links the five fingers with the five basic principles of Islam, while the Jewish religion links it with the five books of the Torah, the Pentateuch.
LEGEND OF THE HAND OF FATIMA
On the other hand, the Hand of Fatima is associated with an Arabic legend that refers to Fatima az-Zahra, daughter of Muhammad, founder of Islam. According to this legend, one day Muhammad’s cousin brought a concubine, Fatima, to his house while his wife was preparing dinner.
The pain invaded Fatima’s heart so much that she cut her hand and burned it and did not feel any pain. Ali realized her mistake and consecrated herself to Fatima forever. Since then, many young women of ancient times associated this amulet with achieving patience, peace and fortune, being one of the best known amulets in the world over the years.
The symbol of the eye in the hand of Fatima
In addition to the traditional symmetrical hand, one of the most widespread forms in which we can find this amulet is with a large eye in the palm of the hand.
It is the “eye of Fatima”, although it is also considered the “eye of God”, in whose symbol religious meanings are inscribed that differ according to the religion that adopts the symbol.
It is considered that this eye sees everythingnothing escapes his vision and constantly watches over, protecting whoever possesses the Hamsa from all evils, misfortunes and misfortunes.
The protections and benefits of the hand of Fatima
Protection
against envy
jealousy
the evil eye
Bad luck
The diseases
Natural disasters
catastrophes
The accidents
scams and thieves
The wrath
The attacks
The fights and arguments
financial ruin
betrayal and infidelity
Benefits and gifts of the hand of Fatima
Patience
The happiness
comprehension and understanding
The loving and harmonious home
Good luck
material good fortune
prosperity
Abundance in all senses and planes
fertility
The Fidelity
stable and lasting love
good business
study and knowledge
How to use the hand of Fatima?
The Fatima or Hamsa hand can be used with either the up or down hand, depending on cultures and beliefs.
In Islamic culture, the position of the fingers of the hand does not have particular significance, while in other cultures it does, with a particular charge in the spiritual if the hand points up or down.
Fatima hand: meaning when it is facing up
When the Hand of Fatima is used with the fingers pointing up, it basically acts as a exclusive protection against any evil that may come to the person or placemainly the ills derived and originated by other human beings, such as envy, jealousy, anger, the already mentioned evil eye, among others.
Fatima hand: meaning when it is down
Here, in a similar way to the horseshoe placed as an amulet, the protection of the hand adds other attributes and is no longer oriented so much to protect, to care, but to generate attributes and blessings.
In this sense, the meaning here of the hand of Fatima is that it continues to protect against evil, but its function in this position is aimed at endowing people with certain virtues, such as patience, as well as bring and keep in their lives happiness, love, good luck and even material prosperity.
The down hand is more geared towards attracting good things than repelling bad things.
Shapes and designs of the hand of Fatima
This amulet can be found in many different forms and ways of using it. There are those who use it decoratively in their homes, in large paintings or drawings as a general protection for a home.
Others, the vast majority, use it personally, in a small and portable, either by means of pendants for the neck, necklaces, earrings, key chains, varied jewels. There are even those who, for permanent protection, tattoo the hand of Fatima on their skin.
And you, what do you think of the meaning of the Hand of Fatima?
Sources:
How to be lucky
Aleteia