The Hamsa (also known as Khamsa) is a hand shaped amulet used for protection by both Jewish and Muslim people. Its name comes from a Semitic root and literally means “five”. The Hamsa is usually shaped in the form of a symmetrical hand, with thumbs on both side, and not in the anatomically correct way.
Judaic Hamsa…
In Judaism, The Hamsa is also known as “YAD HA’CHAMESH” (The hand of five) or “The hand of Miriam” after the sister of Moses and Aaron. It is also connected to five books of the Torah.
Hamsa for protection…
The Hamsa is used to ward of the evil eye and can be found on the entrances of homes, in cars, on charm bracelets and chains and more. It is also common to place other symbols in the middle of the Hamsa that are believed to help against the evil eye such as fish, eyes and the Star of David. The color blue, or more specifically light blue, is also considered protective against the evil eye and we could see many Hamsas in that color or with embedded gemstones in different shades of blue. In Jewish use, Hamsas are often decorated with prayers of a protective fashion such as the Sh’ma Prayer, the Birkat HaBayit (Blessing for the Home), or the Tefilat HaDerech (Traveler’s Prayer).