Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Hamsa Symbol & Onyx for protection.




The khamsa (Arabic: خمسة ‎, Hebrew: חמסה‎, khamsa lit. five, also romanized hamsa and chamsa) is a palm-shaped amulet popular throughout the Middle East and North Africa. The khamsa is often incorporated in jewelry and wall hangings, as a superstitious defense against the evil eye.It is believed to originate in ancient practices associated with the Sabaeans and Nabataeans.
Another Arabic name for the hamsa (or khamsa) is the hand of Fatima, commemorating Fatima Zahra, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad.Today specimens demonstrate that the hand symbolism originates in the world of sexuality.Hamsa hands often contain an eye symbol. Depictions of the hand, the eye, or the number five in Arabic (and Berber) tradition is related to warding off the evil eye, as exemplified in the saying khamsa fi ainek ("five [fingers] in your eye").Another formula uttered against the evil eye in Arabic is khamsa wa-khamis. Due to its significance in both Arabic and Berber culture, it is one of the national symbols of Algeria, and appears in its emblem.(The Moors of The Berber States)

The khamsa is the most popular of the different amulets to ward off the evil eye in Egypt — others being the Eye, and the Hirz (a silver box containing verses of the Koran). The Hand (Khamsa) has long represented blessings, power and strength and is thus seen as potent in deflecting the evil eye. It's one of the most common components of jewellery in the region.

In all faiths it is a protective sign. It brings it's owner happiness, luck, health, and good fortune.

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