2023-06-07 07:16:29
If you are on the way to oriental markets, you will often see pendants with the “Hand of Fatima”. It is used in Muslim cultures as a good luck charm and talisman. Its effect is even more effective in combination with the black eye.
Brings luck: Fatima’s hand and the black eye
Those: pa/Godong/Pascal Deloche
AOn a trip to Istanbul, through North Africa or in the Middle East, one often sees the symbol of a mostly finely chiseled open hand. It is the hand of Fatima, which is particularly popular as a pendant for jewelry in the Muslim cultural area. And of course this world-famous talisman is also a common motif on oriental souvenir markets.
The Hand of Fatima is a symbol and object with many layers of meaning that has been reinterpreted and adapted to different cultures over the centuries. As a distance gesture, it is a magical means of defence, at the same time as a blessing hand it is a symbol of strength and luck. It works against evil itself, more precisely against the jinn, these are spirits that one has to take a lot of consideration for in Islam, because one can keep them under control with defensive actions.
Fatima’s hand is also very effective against the evil eye. However, so does her black eye, which is often depicted in the palm of her hand. It’s called Nazar, the Arabic word for look. Both amulets are particularly effective in combination with Fatima’s Hand.
The “Hand of Fatima” wards off danger
The term “Hand of Fatima” comes from a rather derogatory term from colonial Algeria. At the time, a great many Algerian women wore the symbol as jewelry, which inspired the French colonialists to come up with this generic name. In Arabic, Fatima’s hand is called Hamsa, Khamsa or Chamsa. It means five, a magic number with many religious traditions. The five fingers can form the name Allah, they also stand for the five pillars of Islam, and the five daily prayers until sunset can be read.
Fatima was one of eight children of Muhammad and the only one who gave him Hasan and Husain male offspring who did not die in infancy. Her husband was Ali, who Mohammed prevailed over other competitors. The power struggles among Muslims over the successor to Mohammed and the split between Sunnis and Shiites underlie this dispute over the legitimate successor to the Prophet. Fatima herself did not live to see this, because she died very young, less than 30 years old, in the year 632, a few weeks after her father.
Belief in the evil power of the evil eye is found in many cultures and probably dates back to prehistoric times. Many written traditions come from the Sumerians and Babylonians of Mesopotamia and the ancient Egypt. It is assumed that the evil eye arises from envy. Children are also exposed to this danger, which is why the offspring are often protected with hand amulets.
Exactly when a magical effect was ascribed to the motif of the hand has not been fully researched. As a protective or blessing symbolic power, representations of an open hand can be found in Stone Age caves. In Christianity, the blessing hand of Mary is known as a gesture of proclamation. In Judaism there is the hand of Miriam, the older sister of Moses and Aaron.
Today the symbol is mainly used in Muslim cultures as a good luck charm and talisman. Extreme Salafists reject it as irreligious idolatry. Since the hand is mainly used to ward off external dangers, it should also be worn so that it is visible to the outside world.
However, there is also the opinion that it is most effective when it is worn close to the body for as long as possible. That’s why the motif is also called Tattoo very popular. But not only people wear the amulet, farm animals traditionally have chains with the hand of Fatima hung around their necks to protect them from diseases. So, as a tourist, you can do the same.
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