The Hamsa Hand is an ancient Middle Eastern amulet symbolizing the Hand of God. In all faiths it is a protective sign. It brings its owner happiness, health, luck and good fortune, blessings, power and strength, and is seen to deflect the evil eye. The hand can be depicted with the fingers spread apart to ward off evil, or as closed together to bring good luck. Similarly, it can be portrayed with the fingers pointing up as a symbol of protection, or down to bestow blessings.
Early use of the Hamsa has been traced to ancient Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) as well as ancient Carthage (modern day Tunisia). A universal sign of protection, the image of the open right hand is seen in Mesopotamian artifacts.
Other symbols of divine protection based around the hand include the Hand-of-Mary, that was used to protect women from the evil eye and/or boost fertility, promote healthy pregnancies and strengthen the weak. In olden times, women were under immense pressure and expectation to become mothers, therefore child bearing was a necessity. The Hamsa Hand was used as a symbol of good luck to make this happen.
The Hamsa Hand has been present in Judaism dating all the way back to Biblical times, where it is referenced in the Ten Commandments as the "strong hand" of God who led the Jews out of Egypt.
So let the power of the Hamsa Hand shine through these beautiful, Fair Trade, hand painted Hamsa candles and feel good fortune protecting you!
