The hamsa (meaning “five” in Arabic) is an amulet in the shape of an open hand, intended to ward off the evil eye and enhance good fortune. In Islamic tradition it is called the “Hand of Fatima,” after the daughter of the prophet Muhammad, its fingers symbolizing the five tenets of Islam: faith,‎ prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage. In Judaism, it has come to be associated with the Five Books of Moses and with God’s name, indicated by the letter heh – the fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. 

This hamsa is modeled on part of an amulet meant to protect the mother and child. The original was made in 19th-century Kurdistan, then under Iranian rule. Beautifully designed with inlaid colored stones, it will make a delightful addition to your house or office walls.