Hand of Fatima: history and meaning of this famous symbol
There are some symbols that we often see in everyday life, but of which we do not know the true meaning. For example, it may happen to notice a pendant with a particular shape as an insert in a bracelet, a necklace or a pair of earrings or see a tattoo with an original design on a person, without however recognizing what is hidden there. One of the most popular emblems of recent years is certainly that of the Hand of Fatima, whose history has very ancient origins and is linked to the theme of femininity, beauty, fertility and love.
What is the Hand of Fatima
The Hand of Fatima is a symbol that represents an open hand with the five fingers clearly visible. The index and ring finger have the same height, as well as the thumb and the little finger arranged symmetrically facing outwards, while in the center stands the middle finger slightly longer than the neighboring fingers. Very often this amulet is decorated in the manner more original: splashes of color, images with religious or natural references, engravings and stones of various types, depending on the culture in which it is inserted and its purpose, since it can be used both as a jewel and as an emblem of protection for the " interior of a house.
However, there are two particularly famous variants. The first is that derived from the Muslim religion, or the Hand of Fatima with an eye in the center of the palm, which is called the Eye of Allah. The second is the Hebrew version which features a Star of David in the middle.
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The origin of the Hand of Fatima
The Hand of Fatima is also known in the world by the name of Hand of Miriam, Hand with the Divine Eye, Hamsa or Khamsa, term these "last which mean"five", a very important number for the Jewish, Christian and Muslim religion. From here you can already understand how to reconstruct in detail the history of this symbol and amulet is not easy, because its already very ancient origins cross different aspects in various cultures .
According to the most accredited theories, the Hand of Fatima dates back to the Sumerian cult of Inanna and the Assyrian-Babylonian cult of Ishtar. In both religions, these were the goddesses in charge of love, fertility, beauty and representatives of the fertility of the Earth. Later, this particular symbol would be taken up by the Jews, renamed Hand of Miriam, in honor of the sister of Moses and Aaron, and, later, it would also spread among the Arab populations as an emblem of power.
Over the centuries, the meanings attributed to Hamsa they take on specific nuances according to the cultures from which it is adopted, but they always remain points of contact. In fact, in the different religions, the Hand of Fatima remains an expression of the presence of God, who sees and oversees everything. For this reason, the open hand is used as an amulet of protection from the evil eye and negativity.
The significance of the Hand of Fatima for the Jews
As we have mentioned, for the Jews this symbol is called Hand of Miriam, the sister of Moses. For the Jewish religion, five is a sacred and extremely important number. Thus, the five fingers represent the books of the Torah, namely Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, and according to some they would also indicate both HE, the fifth letter of the alphabet which coincides with one of the names of God, and the five senses which are essential to pray to the fullest.
Jewish culture has strongly influenced the Christian one, especially in the East. In fact, the Christians of those areas have assimilated the Hand of Fatima to "another female divinity, no longer Miriam, but the Virgin Mary.
The Hand of Fatima for Muslims
In the Muslim religion, the Hand of Fatima takes on more than one meaning because in its origins history and legend are mixed. In fact, if on the one hand it is thought that the five fingers represent the five pillars of worship, that is prayer, faith, pilgrimage to Mecca, almsgiving and fasting, on the other hand it reconnects Hamsa to the story that sees Fatima and her husband Ali as protagonists.
Fatima was the daughter of Mohammed and had married a cousin of her father, Ali, with whom she was deeply in love. One day, however, while he was preparing dinner, the husband returned home in the company of "another woman, a concubine with whom he would spend the night. Fatima was so shocked by that scene that she did not notice that she had dropped into the pot. the spoon with which he was stirring the boiling soup and continued stirring with his hand. The pain of the impending betrayal was stronger than the burn. The man tried to help his wife by healing the wound, but he did not give up. "idea of spending the night with the new bride. However, Fatima spied on them while they kissed and the pain she felt gave her an uncontrollable cry that wet her husband's shoulder. It was that tear that awakened Ali, making him understand the love that wife felt for him and refusing to indulge in passion with the concubine.
The symbolism of the Hand of Fatima today
We have seen how we can find the Hand of Fatima on various occasions: from a pendant on a necklace or bracelet to an accessory for the home or as a tattoo. Today Hamsa it is above all a symbol of patience, luck and joy: showing it off or taking it with you is a way to protect yourself from the negativity and envy of other people. Furthermore, referring to the legend of the daughter of Mohammed and Alì, it is considered as an amulet in terms of love: it would help those who wear it to a happy life as a couple, increase injuries and ensure healthy pregnancies. Not surprisingly, Muslim women usually wear this silver pendant, metal of the prophet, as a protection from the evil eye.
Precisely because of this very particular and complex story, Hand of Fatima themed jewels are one of the most popular gifts of recent years, especially for a woman. Giving a bracelet or earrings with this symbol as a gift means wanting to protect the person who is honored with the gift. It is therefore not surprising that it has become the perfect gift to be exchanged between mother and daughter or as an emblem of affection between sisters and friends. In reference to the Muslim culture, this jewel is often found in silver, a metal that would ward off negative influences and that would evoke the qualities of fertility, constancy and patience.
Finally, there is a curiosity about the "position" of the hand. The image with the fingers pointing upwards has the meaning of strength, power and blessing, while the one facing downwards is typical of the version with the eye in the center, on which it focuses attention. In this case, the talisman takes on the most typical meaning of lucky charm.
