The palm shaped decoration called “Hamsa” can be seen all over the Middle East and North Africa, mainly used as decoration and jewelry.
You may have seen one hanging from a the mirror of a car, inside a business, or perhaps noticing a tattoo on someones body. This is not just a new age symbol but an image that dates as far back as far as 2,000 years.
What Exactly Is A Hamza?
The sole purpose of this ancient emblem is to protect you from negative energy or people wishing harm against you. The person who holds this emblem close to them will be protected at all times. Is this pseudoscience or something that actually wards off evil?
Origin Of The Hamza
The history of the Hamsa dates back to ancient Mesopotamia (Middle East) or modern day Iraq. This sacred symbol was considered the hand from God that plays a role of protection from the person who wears it – the presence of God is around as it protects from other negative forces.
A symbol is commonly used within the Muslim, Jewish and Christian religions signifying the same purpose of protection, but have different meanings. Within the Jewish community this symbol is called the Hand of Miriam who is the Prophet Moses’ sister. Within the Muslim religion, this is the hand of Fatima or Khamsa. This main feminine figure of the hand could symbolize the Virgin Mary.
Hamsa both means the letter Five in Arabic and Hebrew, hence the five fingers on the emblem. During the Mesopotamia period, women where under a lot of pressure from the communities to become mothers, as the sole purpose of the women was to have an active role in the child’s upbringing. The symbol was then used to encourage a positive healthy fertility and lactation. The Hamsa became a tool of protection to ward of unseen dangers, promote good health and evil energies around them.
Does Hamsa Actually Work?
As I am sure you already know that their isn’t any scientific proof that backs up the claim that Hamsa actually wards off evil – but some swear by it’s protective abilities.
The power of the mind has been a mystery ever since the beginning of understanding and we still are scraping the surface. The power of the mind is one of the most powerful energy we can harness within. With this invisible power together along with your intention, can create success or failure, happiness or depression, opportunities or obstacles.
But what happens when people with a bad intentions or energy come close to you? Well it turns out by wearing it reminds us not to worry because God will always be watching us no matter who does us wrong. Sort of like a reminder of metaphysical insurance of constant protection.
Hamsa Hand Dream Meaning
Dreaming of the hamsa suggests you are under complete spiritual protection. Did you know that the hamsa has also been said to represent the five books of the Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
The hand might be metaphoric for something coming in fives or five of something. Hands appear in dreams as symbols of help and guidance.
Hamsa In Ancient Egypt
According to Egyptian mythology, the Sky god, Horus, explains to his people they can never escape the eye of conscience. This eye will always be open, it sees all human activity. Horus has the ability to see by the sun and moon which are his eyes, complete vision that doesn’t rest, from day and night.
The Eye of Horus can also be translated to the Sun god Ra. Seth according to ancient Egyptian text, who represents ego and greed, tried to take out Horus’s eye so Horus offered his eye to his father Osiris.
Do you ever Notice some Hamsa hands have two different styles of use. The first is like a regular hand, and the other has two symmetrical thumbs. You will oven see the hamsa with the two symmetrical thumbs as it is more popular. One can either use it facing down or up or hand from your business or house, for wealth and protection.
Hamsa In The Bible
Often these books are referred to by “The Five Books of Moses”. It can also be translated to “The Hand of Miriam”, Miriam was the sister of Moses and Aron.
Moses was the one who led the Israelites out of Egypt, and Aron was anointed the first High Priest. Miriam was very well respected and had a very active role during that time. The story has it that Miriam power and strength had guided the Israelites to water during the 40 years of wondering in the desert to find the promised land.
The fish symbol on the Hamsa is also veered as good fortune. A fish lives in water and is immune to the bad energies of humans on earth. This would be the eye that protects one from the negative forces. The hand itself is said to be strength around the eye that moves away the evil.