The Spiral, reflects the universal pattern of growth and evolution. Coop keyholes the back of the Hamsa so it can be displayed in either direction. My (Katrina) personal feeling is with fingers up it represents protection, fingers down pours blessings upon the household.

It can be displayed with the fingers pointing up or down. In addition to being a sign of protection, the Hamsa also represents blessings, power, and strength. This symbol can also represent the Goddess whose hand wards off evil intent and radiates love as a downward gesture of non-aggressive open-handedness, making it an early peace symbol! In using the Hamsa, an energy of peace prevails in all beings simply because the power of the hand radiates the cosmic connection between the hand of action and the heart of peace. A universal sign of protection, the image of the open right hand is seen in Mesopotamian artifacts in the amulets of Istar and Inana and in the Buddha’s mudra (hand gesture) of teaching and protection.To Egyptians, the Two thumbs are often said to represent Osiris and Isis, and the fingers representing the offspring of that union.

Early use of the hamsa has been traced to ancient Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq). The symbol predates Christianity and Islam. Following its incorporation into Jewish tradition via its widespread use in the Islamic world, it was also renamed the hand of Miriam for Miriam, sister of Moses. Levantine Christians call it the hand of Mary, for the mother of Jesus. It is also known as the hand of Fatima, so named to commemorate Muhammad’s daughter Fatima Zahra. MEANING: Depicting the open right hand, The Hamsa (Chamsa, Khamsa) is an image recognized and used as a sign of protection in many societies (Muslim, Christians, Egyptians, North Africans, and Jews) throughout history, the chamsa provides defense against the evil eye.

Khamsa closed hands