Ancient Symbol Hamsa: It’s Meaning And History Explained
Ellen Lloyd - AncientPages.com - Hamsa is an ancient, powerful symbol that is often carried as an amulet to invoke the hand of God, or to counteract the Evil Eye. Tracing the roots of this ancient symbol is not easy because Jewish, Christian, and Muslim scholars cannot agree on the interpretation of Hamsa.
Depicted as an eye embedded in the palm of an open hand, the Hamsa symbol has had numerous other names throughout the ages. Some scholars think the symbol is of Pagan origin and was later adopted by other religions. It’s possible the Hamsa symbol originates from Mesopotamia, ancient Egypt, or Cartage, where a Punic and Phoenician goddess Tanit was worshipped.
Hamsa Symbol Protects From Harm Caused By The Evil Eye
Hamsa is a universal protective sign and we encounter it in faiths. It is believed the symbol brings its owner happiness, luck, health, and good fortune. Hamsa offers protection from harm caused by the evil eye. As previously mentioned in Ancient Pages, there is an ancient, superstitious, and almost universal belief that certain people possess the supernatural power to cause disaster, illness, calamity and even death.
They have the ability to do it with a gaze or stare that gives an unpleasant emotion. The evil eye is widely feared in many parts of the world.
This is why the Hamsa symbol can be found today throughout the Middle East. 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. There are Hamsa bracelets, necklaces, pendants, door-knocker, and many other objects depicting the powerful symbol.
By wearing it or keeping it at home, people believe they can protect themselves from negative influences that are otherwise outside their control. The hand can be depicted with the fingers spread apart to ward off evil, or as closed together to bring good luck.
Hamsa Symbol Used By Jews, Muslims And Christians
The Hamsa symbol is especially popular among Jews and Muslims. The Hamsa is variously known as the Hand of Fatima (Mohammed’s daughter) and the Hand of Merriam (Moses’ sister) suggests, which is why the amulet carries significance to both Jews and Muslims. It is also sometimes referred to as the Hand of Mary representing Mary, mother of Jesus.
The word, "Hamsa," derives its name from the five fingers on the hand. The earliest use of a Hamsa predates Islam, although the name Hamsa is Arabic. It is one of the national symbols of Algeria and appears in its emblem.
According to one theory, ancient Egyptians carried an amulet with two fingers that represented Isis and Osiris and the thumb, their child Horus. The amulet was used to invoke the protective spirits of parents over their child.
Other researchers suggest that between 1550 – 330 B.C., the Phoenicians used an image of the hand to represent Tanit, patron goddess of their capital city Carthage and controller of the lunar cycle. Some have suggested Tanit may have been one of the Greek goddesses such as Hera and Athena.
Examples of Hamsa - Credit: Wikipedia
In Hebrew, the number five is "hamesh" and "Hamesh" is representative of the five books of the Torah. It also symbolizes the fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, "Het", which represents one of God's holy names, and further reminds Jews to use their five senses when praising God. Some Sunnis interpret the five fingers of the Hamsa as representing the Five Pillars of Islam.
Today, many Jews and Arabs wear the Hamsa to demonstrate the common ground shared by them and the common source from which their religions spring. In the modern world, Hamsa has become a symbol of hope and peace.
Written by - Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com
Copyright © AncientPages.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of AncientPages.com
Expand for referencesMore From Ancient Pages
-
‘Blue Highways’ Helped Middle Stone Age Humans Who Survived The Toba Supereruption 74,000 Years Ago
Evolution | Mar 26, 2024
-
7,800-Year-Old Clay Female Figurine Unearthed In Ulucak Mound, Turkey’s Izmir
Archaeology | Aug 17, 2022
-
Cup Of Jamshid – Holy Grail Of Ancient Persia Offered Immortality And Visions Of The Future
Featured Stories | Jan 16, 2019
-
Controversial Artifacts Linked To Cradle Of Civilization In The Americas Result In Scientific Disagreement
Artifacts | May 14, 2018
-
Sacred Number Six And Its Symbolic Significance In Ancient Cultures
Ancient Symbols | Dec 27, 2017
-
Ptolemaic Workshop For Repairing And Construction Of Boats Unearthed In Sinai
Archaeology | Feb 21, 2019
-
Yak Milk Consumption Among Mongol Empire Elites – New Study
Archaeology | Apr 1, 2023
-
The First Conservationists May Have Been Early Pacific Islanders Who Started The Practice 3,000 Years Ago
Archaeology | Sep 29, 2021
-
This Is One Of The Oldest Pieces Of Cloth In The World And It’s Made Of Bast Fibers!
Featured Stories | Aug 26, 2023
-
Chogha Zanbil: Huge Ancient Still Existing Ziggurat Dedicated To God Inshushinak
Featured Stories | Mar 10, 2016
-
Previously Uncounted Copies Of Newton’s Groundbreaking ‘Principia’ – Discovered
News | Nov 11, 2020
-
Thousands Of Ignored ‘Nummi Minimi’ Coins Found In Ancient Marea, Egypt With Hidden Fascinating History
Archaeology | Dec 10, 2023
-
Rare Find Provides New Insight Into Etruscan Life Under Rome
Archaeology | Sep 3, 2022
-
Ancient Warming Event May Have Been Trigged By Changes In Earth’s Orbit
Archaeology | Dec 13, 2022
-
Rare Well-Preserved 2,500-Year-Old Dagger Linked To The Keeladi Civilization Discovered In Tamil Nadu, India
Archaeology | Aug 13, 2021
-
Mystery Of Ancient Sami People Buried Underwater – New DNA Breakthrough
Archaeology | Jun 12, 2019
-
1700-Year-Old Iron Trident Found In The Ancient City Of Assos, Turkey
Archaeology | Nov 1, 2023
-
Antediluvian Discoveries In Britain, Germany And France That Could Re-Write History
Featured Stories | Jan 4, 2019
-
Nefertum – God Of Lotus Blossom, Perfumes, Aromatherapy, Beauty In Egyptian Mythology
Egyptian Mythology | Apr 17, 2021
-
Puzzling Jewellery From Grave Of High Status Viking Woman Delivered At Museum’s Door
Artifacts | Jul 23, 2022