The hand of Fatima

The Khamsa or Hamsa, (in Hebrew: “Khamsa” in Arabic: Hamsa means “five”) is an icon in amulets, charms, and jewellery, as a superstitious defense against the evil eye.

An Islamic alternative name for this charm : “Eye of Fatima or the hand of Fatima” , regarding to Fatima Zahra, Prophet Muhammad’s daughter. The other meaning in Jewish is Miriam’s hand , as regards Miriam, the sister of Aaron and Moses. It is a sort of “protection of the hand” or “The hand of God“.

In recent years, several peace activists in the Middle East, have chosen to wear resistance Hamsa the symbol of the origin and the similarities between the Jewish and Islamic tradition. The fingers may point up or down.

Today specimens demonstrate that the hand symbolism originates in the world of sexuality.

In Jewish mysticism, fish are a symbol of good luck, so many khamsas are also decorated with fish images.





(“Fatima’s Hand”, Germany, 2006, Jens Hoffmann)


The Hand of Fatima rock formations near Hombori village stretch toward the sky in Mali. The tallest tower rises 2,000 feet (610 meters) from the desert floor. Lore has it that the formations' name stems from the five towers' resemblance to a hand from the sky.