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Hamsai
the Hamsa hand is one of the most widely used protective
symbols. The name Hamsa is from
the Arabic word for “five” relating to the five fingers. It is a common
symbol among both Jews and Christians as the five fingered hand of God, or alternately as
the hand of; the Virgin. Both Jews and Christians adopted it from the Arab speaking Muslims of
North Africa who in turn adopted it from the Berbers. The Phoenicians used
the symbol in association with their moon Goddess Tanit. But the earliest versions
are Babylonian; as a universal sign of protection. The image of the open right hand is
seen in Mesopotamian artifacts in the amulets of the goddess Ishtar |
