Origin of Hamsa

Origin of the Hamsa Hand

Archeological evidence suggests that the hamsa symbol originated as part of an early Middle Eastern religion, and was used as a protective symbol for an ancient Middle Eastern goddess. The hamsa hand has always been associated with a female entity offering protection from evil and misfortune.

The word “hamsa” or “hamesh” has been derived from a Semitic root and means five. There are five digits on the hamsa hand, but the number five has additional symbolic meaning in the
Jewish tradition. The five fingers represent the five books of the Torah, and the fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, Heh, which represents one of God’s holy names.

Many Jews believe that the five fingers of the hamsa hand remind its wearer to use their five senses to praise God. Hamsa hands often contain an eye symbol, which is a powerful talisman against the evil eye.

The hamsa hand is known by many names—hamsa, hamsa hand, hamesh, hamesh hand, khamsa, and chamsa. It is also called the Hand of Miriam, named for Moses and Aaron’s sister.
There are two main styles of a hamsa hand: the most popular is the stylized hamsa hand with two symmetrical thumbs, but there are also hamsa hands that are not symmetrical and shaped like actual hands.

Either hamsa hand can be worn with the fingers pointing up or down, and both are believed to offer its owner happiness, peace, and prosperity, as well as protection from the ayin ha'ra, or the evil eye.