If you live in a town and you enjoy taking a stroll on the weekend, it’s likely that you’ve stumbled across a few jewellery market stalls. Most of these stalls will offer a collection of unique, interesting jewellery, but there is a particular symbol that will appear in just about every one.
That is the hand of hamsa. Taking the form of an open right hand, this symbol is famous across the world, appearing in art illustrations, statues, buildings and, of course, jewellery pieces. The hamsa is a symbol which can pretty much be worn anywhere, but it is most commonly found as a necklace or earring. It is a beautiful piece of jewellery which is often intricately designed, with a single crafted eye sitting in the centre of the palm and a cleverly integrated flower flowing from the iris and up into the fingertips.
Although this design might grab your attention in a local market stall, however, not many people know what the origins of the hamsa actually are. Can anyone wear it, or do you need to follow a certain religion? Is there a meaning behind the hand, or is it just an interesting, ancient symbol which has stood the test of time?
To answer these questions, below are five things you didn’t know about Hamsa jewellery and why it is so popular today:
The Hamsa Is Actually Used In Many Religions
Despite what you might think, the hamsa actually dates back before most religions and has since been adopted in Judaism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. The meaning of the hand is that it is a symbol of divinity, protection and good luck, and it has likely been adopted by these religions as it represents the sentiments and virtues of each one.
It Is Most Commonly Associated With The Jewish Faith
In the modern world, however, the hand of hamsa is probably most associated with the Jewish faith, with the five fingers representing the five holy books of the Torah ( Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). There are many ways it is implemented in Judaism, but for anyone wanting a more detailed idea, then the website nadavart.com has a number of examples.
There Is A Reason The Hamsa Is Normally Silver
When you’re taking a look at hamsa jewellery, you will find that the metal used in the design is predominantly silver. This is because silver represents purity and magical properties, elevating the symbol of the hand and protecting the wearer from ill faith.
The Eye In The Palm Has Meaning Too
The eye in the centre of hamsa is meant to repel the evil eye of others and protect the wearer from their glare. The flower around the iris symbolises the wearer’s purity and enlightenment and it is most commonly designed as a lotus, which grows beautiful petals despite its roots existing in the dirtiest of water.
The Hand Has Different Messages Depending On Its Rotation
You may have noticed people wearing the hamsa upside down, and that’s because it narrates different messages depending on its rotation. If it is the right side up (fingers facing the sky), then it will protect the wearer from negativity and harm from others. If it is upside down (fingers facing the ground), then it is actively inviting good things to come into the wearer’s life, including good luck,fortune and divinity.