The Significance of the Hamsa Motif Across Abrahamic Faiths
By: Dr. Ido Lahav Noy, Curator
Across the Abrahamic religious traditions, the image of an open hand has attained a profound symbolic meaning, representing protection, fertility, prosperity, and a connection to the divine. In addition to the visual symbol, this iconic motif is sometimes manifested in textual form as “Hamsa” or the number 5, believed to safeguard the owner against hazards while simultaneously attracting blessings, well-being, and auspicious circumstances to their lives.
The use of the hand motif can be found across Jewish tradition. For example, the biblical story of the Garden of Eden recounts how Adam and Eve fashioned coverings from fig leaves after eating the forbidden fruit and realizing their nudity (Genesis 3:7). Their purposeful selection of this botanical form, resembling the human hand with five fingers, bears symbolic importance. Additionally, the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery is attributed to God's direct involvement, described as bringing the people out “with a strong hand and an outstretched arm” (Deuteronomy 5:14). This imagery underscores God's power and intervention in human affairs.
Jewish art has often depicted God and His supernatural power through the imagery of the open palm. Examples include the wall paintings found in the ancient synagogue at Dura Europos (Syria) and the mosaic depicting the Binding of Isaac in the synagogue at Beit Alfa (Northern Israel).
Birkat Kohanim, the Jewish priestly blessing, is another example of the symbolic power of the divine hand. During this blessing, the Kohanim (priests) raise their hands with spread fingers, forming the shape of the Hebrew letter shin (ש), representing Shaddai, one of the names of God. This gesture signifies the transmission of divine blessing from the Kohanim to the congregation, invoking protection, grace, and peace upon those receiving the blessing. The hands are raised with palms facing downwards, symbolizing the outpouring of divine blessings onto the recipients.
The number five also holds a deep typological significance in Jewish tradition. The Hebrew letter heh (ה), the fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, is used in reference to God's ineffable name. This one-letter name, known as the Monogrammaton, frequently appears on amulets and talismans. The use of the Monogrammaton alludes to Abraham and Sarah, whose names were altered by adding heh, signifying their covenant with God and thus changing their destinies (Genesis 17:5, 15).
A connection between the Hebrew letter heh, the number five, and concepts of divine protection and fertility is related to the biblical figure of Joseph. In one of the rare mentions of Joseph in the Book of Psalms, the letter heh is added to his name (Psalms 81:6). Jacob's five-word blessing to his son Joseph, known as “Ben porat Yosef, ben porat…” (“Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine by a fountain; its branches run over the wall” Genesis 49:22), has been considered since Talmudic times as a protective formula for fertility as well as against the evil eye (Berakhot 55b).
Christian tradition also includes using the human hand and the number five to some extent. For example, in the miracle of the loaves and fishes, Jesus is described as miraculously using five loaves of bread to feed 5,000 people. Another example is the Five Holy Wounds, which were the five wounds inflicted on Jesus' body during his crucifixion—four wounds on his hands and feet and an additional wound on his side caused by a Roman soldier's spear (John 19:34).
Islamic tradition features the number five and the open hand with its outstretched fingers prominently: five is the number of fundamental pillars of Islam (witnessing, prayer, charity, fasting, pilgrimage); five is the number of daily prayers; and five are the holy names: Muhammad, Ali, Fatima, Hassan, and Hussain. The symbolism of the palm and the significance of the number five are closely associated with Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad, the wife of Ali, and the mother of Hasan and Husayn. The open hand shape, resembling a hand, is sometimes called “Fatimah's Hand” and is more commonly known as the hamsa. These symbols draw inspiration from the gesture of an open hand, believed to ward off evil, which is sometimes symbolized by the evil eye.
The use of the hamsa as a motif and an object has become widespread in North Africa, among both Muslims and Jews, where shared tradition regarding Joseph forms a shared cultural bridge between the two traditions. Under Ottoman rule, the hamsa served as a widely recognized and accepted mystical element among the Arab inhabitants of the land of Israel, as well as Sephardic Jews and the small communities of Jews that came from the lands of Islam. With the departure and expulsion of Jews from Arab countries in the second and third quarters of the twentieth century, the hamsa traveled the globe. Today, the hamsa has become one of the most common motifs in Jewish and Israeli folk and popular culture.
The Amuletic Powers of the Hamsa
Belief or disbelief in the magical power of the hamsa in contemporary society reflects the influence of the modern era, characterized by the ascendancy of empirical science, rational inquiry, and evidence-based knowledge. During this time, many cultural elements, such as beliefs in the efficacy of certain rituals or talismans, practices related to folk medicine, and customs associated with magic or fortune-telling, have been marginalized or dismissed, as science has sought to explain previously inexplicable phenomena. Science has also shed light on aspects of human psychology such as the placebo effect, which has prompted contemplation on the efficacy of traditional remedies compared to medical interventions.
Despite the advances of science, belief in the supposed magical properties of objects such as the hamsa continues to offer comfort and a sense of control in times of adversity. Much like childhood vaccinations, the hamsa is perceived as providing enduring protection, seamlessly integrated into various facets of life. The hamsa is worn close to the body, affixed to clothing, placed within homes, and carried on journeys, serving as a constant shield against the evil eye. Particularly in traditional societies, the need for the hamsa's protective influence is heightened during significant life events and rites of passage such as childbirth, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, engagement, and marriage. These transitional moments signify shifts in status, rendering individuals vulnerable to potential threats. In this context, the hamsa is used as a tangible source of security and reassurance.
As for today, the boundaries between the rational and the irrational have become increasingly blurred. The hamsa, with its associated meanings, has garnered acceptance among a diverse array of people. Some passionately adopt it, firmly convinced of its protective powers, while others adopt a more pragmatic attitude. In a world of uncertainty, the hamsa provides its owner with hope, resilience, and protection, offering solace to anyone who seeks its sheltering embrace.
Hamsa and Women: Exploring the Deep-Rooted Connection
In traditional Jewish societies, the connection between apotropaic objects such as the hamsa and women is deeply rooted in cultural and spiritual beliefs, reflecting women's significant roles within the community and family structure. Women are not only regarded as bearers of life but also as central figures responsible for nurturing, protecting the family unit, and preserving family and household harmony, making talismans and amulets an integral part of their daily lives.
The need for the hamsa's protective influence becomes particularly pronounced during significant Jewish life cycle events and rituals. Transitional moments such as childbirth, engagement, and marriage ceremonies signify profound shifts in women's statuses, potentially exposing them to perceived risks or adversities. During these transformative occasions, the hamsa serves primarily as protection against evil, harm, or bad luck. It is also used to attract positive benefits such as good luck, offering a comforting presence amidst vulnerability.
Often, women—grandmothers and mothers—take on the responsibility of commissioning and gifting these objects to their loved ones, reinforcing their role as protectors and caretakers of their families. Passed down from mothers to daughters, the hamsa embodies the continuity of tradition and the enduring strength of women in upholding cultural heritage and spiritual values within their families and communities.