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Islamic World · c. 700 – today

Khamsa / Hand of Fatima

Meaning

The khamsa ('five') is the open right hand. For Muslims it is sometimes called the Hand of Fatima, the Prophet's daughter; for Jews the Hand of Miriam. Five also recalls the five pillars of Islam and the five books of Moses. An eye in the palm answers the evil eye directly.

Intent

It is hung in houses, cars and shops, worn as jewellery and given to newborns and brides to repel the evil eye and bring blessing. The Maghrebi phrase 'khamsa fi 'aynek' (five in your eye) is spoken against envy.

Significance

The khamsa is shared by Muslims, Jews and Christians across North Africa and the Middle East, and appears on the flag of Algeria's Kabyle Berbers and even in Israeli army insignia. Its popularity shows protective practice crossing religious boundaries.

History

Hand amulets are ancient, found in Punic Carthage and Mesopotamia. The khamsa as known today took shape in medieval Islamic North Africa and Spain, where the Hand of Fatima on the Gate of Justice of the Alhambra (1348) is famous. It flourished in 19th–20th century Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.

Making yours
3–10 cm pierced, engraved or enamelled silver. Often symmetrical with two thumbs, and set with an eye, fish, birds or a star.
Islamic World: the tradition

Islamic theology distinguishes forbidden amulets (tama'im, charms trusted in themselves) from permitted protection by God's word, so the characteristic Islamic amulet is textual: Qur'anic verses, especially the Throne Verse (2:255) and the last two suras, the Mu'awwidhatayn, along with the Ninety-Nine Names of God, magic squares (wafq) and the Seal of Solomon. Scholars such as al-Buni (d. 1225) wrote manuals of letter and number magic. The hand of Fatima and the blue eye bead came from pre-Islamic Mediterranean practice and remained hugely popular. Talismanic art reached a peak at the Ottoman, Safavid and Mughal courts in shirts, armour, bowls and seals.

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Khamsa StandardKhamsa StandardIran · Qajar dynasty (1789-1925), c. early 19th centuryFrieze with Geese (Hamsa)Frieze with Geese (Hamsa)Uttar Pradesh · Late 10th centuryFatimas hand (Hamsa)Fatimas hand (Hamsa)Egypt · 1930Un bon gri gri : une main de Fatma [soldats marocains tenant le talisman] : [photographie de presse] / [Agence Rol]Un bon gri gri : une main de Fatma [soldats marocains tenant le talisman] : [photographie de presse] / [Agence Rol]France · 1915Blouse of Sherpako (shamsa or shamja)Blouse of Sherpako (shamsa or shamja)Netherlands · 0fyysinen kuvaus: Epäsäännöllisen pyöreä nahasta ommeltu amuletti, johon toiselle puolelle on kiinnitetty neljäfyysinen kuvaus: Epäsäännöllisen pyöreä nahasta ommeltu amuletti, johon toiselle puolelle on kiinnitetty neljäFinlandLampa, lamp, khamsa amulet from MoroccoLampa, lamp, khamsa amulet from MoroccoMoroccoCasa de Sefarad - flickr(marctasman)Casa de Sefarad - flickr(marctasman)The hand of Fatima (daughter of Muhammad) surrounded by Islamic symbols and used as a good luck charm. Process print.The hand of Fatima (daughter of Muhammad) surrounded by Islamic symbols and used as a good luck charm. Process print.A Muslim pilgrim learns a lesson in piety from a brahman, Khamsa, 1597-98 CE, The META Muslim pilgrim learns a lesson in piety from a brahman, Khamsa, 1597-98 CE, The METAmulet pendant from FinlandAmulet pendant from FinlandFinlandJuJuFestival of Muḥarram: a man carrying a pennant with the hand of Fatima at the top (?). Gouache painting on mica by an Indian artist.Festival of Muḥarram: a man carrying a pennant with the hand of Fatima at the top (?). Gouache painting on mica by an Indian artist.Amulet pendant from FinlandAmulet pendant from FinlandFinlandMedina of Hammamet, Tunesien Januar 2015Medina of Hammamet, Tunesien Januar 2015Amulet pendant from FinlandAmulet pendant from FinlandFinlandMigyassMigyassAmulet pendant from FinlandAmulet pendant from FinlandFinlandPhoto créatif 2014Photo créatif 2014Silver necklace with a Chai Hamsa pendant, March 2024Silver necklace with a Chai Hamsa pendant, March 2024Stickers in Haifa, April 2024Stickers in Haifa, April 2024Stickers in Petah Tikva, May 2024Stickers in Petah Tikva, May 2024Dibujo de la Mano de Fátima (cropped)Dibujo de la Mano de Fátima (cropped)Khemissa amuletsKhemissa amuletsKhamsa and Divan of Khwaju Kirmani, 1438, Shiraz (Sackler, S1986.34) 3Khamsa and Divan of Khwaju Kirmani, 1438, Shiraz (Sackler, S1986.34) 3HamsaHamsa20 th century date QS:P571,+1950-00-00T00:00:00Z/7RihanaRihanaStickers in Ashdod, September 2024Stickers in Ashdod, September 2024HängsmyckeHängsmycke18 th century date QS:P571,+1750-00-00T00:00:00Z/72008 Manish Arora dress with Hamsa motif2008 Manish Arora dress with Hamsa motifAmulet Spain Louvre OA3013Amulet Spain Louvre OA301314 th century date QS:P571,+1350-00-00T00:00:00Z/7 -15 th century date QS:P571,+1450-00-00T00:00:00Z/7Moroccan wedding ceremony in Salé in the beginning of the 20th centuryMoroccan wedding ceremony in Salé in the beginning of the 20th centuryAt the beginning of the 20th CenturyAncien Medina, Tangier, Morocco - panoramio (9)Ancien Medina, Tangier, Morocco - panoramio (9)Buildings in caves Matmata 003Buildings in caves Matmata 003Collectie NMvWereldculturen, TM-3964-78, Versiering voor processiestuk voorstellende de hand van Abbas. Josephine Powell Collection, voor 1971Collectie NMvWereldculturen, TM-3964-78, Versiering voor processiestuk voorstellende de hand van Abbas. Josephine Powell Collection, voor 1971Dibujo de la Mano de FátimaDibujo de la Mano de FátimaDictionnaire des bijoux de l'Afrique (...)Eudel Paul KhamsaDictionnaire des bijoux de l'Afrique (...)Eudel Paul KhamsaGhetto in Bolgna sign-mapGhetto in Bolgna sign-mapHand Of Fatima necklaceHand Of Fatima necklaceInsigne régimentaire du 1er Régiment de TirailleursInsigne régimentaire du 1er Régiment de TirailleursJerusalem Old city (30323564041)Jerusalem Old city (30323564041)Khamsa main porte-bonheur algérienneKhamsa main porte-bonheur algérienneKhomasaKhomasaMain de FatimaMain de FatimaMorocco Hand of Fatima silverMorocco Hand of Fatima silverOpen hands, fragments of glazed pottery.Open hands, fragments of glazed pottery.PawmsaPawmsaPikiWiki Israel 41984 The Carmel Market Tel AvivPikiWiki Israel 41984 The Carmel Market Tel AvivPikiWiki Israel 6842 Nahalat Binyamin Artists FairPikiWiki Israel 6842 Nahalat Binyamin Artists FairSoldats marocains tenant une main de Fatma 1915Soldats marocains tenant une main de Fatma 1915Souvenir shop - Córdoba - 01 - flickr(marctasman)Souvenir shop - Córdoba - 01 - flickr(marctasman)The Grave of Ofra HazaThe Grave of Ofra HazaTunisia-3589 (8001311714)Tunisia-3589 (8001311714)WLANL - 23dingenvoormusea - handje van FatimaWLANL - 23dingenvoormusea - handje van FatimaWLANL - petertf - Handje van FatimaWLANL - petertf - Handje van FatimaWPVisualArtsWPVisualArtsחמסה Khamsa (3)חמסה Khamsa (3)أحرامأحرامخمسةخمسةAsh Sarkar 2021Ash Sarkar 2021

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Anything in the gallery can be made, by hand, in the prescribed metal or yours and, where the tradition names an hour, at that hour or with a plain note that it was not. Numbered. Price on commission, quoted first. I reply within one business day.