Spiritual meaning of the Hamsa symbol + How to Use it for Good Luck & Protection

Have you ever seen a Hand of Hamsa on a piece of home decor, jewelry, or even a yoga mat or a t-shirt? It’s almost guaranteed you’ll come across one if you visit a spiritual goods store; these decorative hands, usually designed with intricate, artistic designs inside their lines, are actually an ancient spiritual symbol.

The Hand of Hamsa, however, does not belong to one singular religion; it’s actually found in countless world religions! Below, we’ll get into: what is the Hand of Hamsa? What does it mean? and how can use it for Good Luck and Protection?

What is the Hand of Hamsa?

The Hamsa is a palm-shaped amulet that has an open eye in the middle of the palm. The word Hamsa comes from the Hebrew word ‘Hamesh‘ which means five.

Also known as Hamsa, Jamsa, Khamsa, the Hand of Miriam, and the Hand of Fatima, this multi-named cultural symbol dates back to ancient Mesopotamian times and has been used by many societies throughout history as an amulet for protection against the evil eye, as a charm of fertility and luck, and as a bearer of good fortune.

Since its origin, there have been many variants in the designs and usage of this symbol. Early depictions of the Hamsa hand were minimal, and not all symbols showed an open eye in the middle. At times it was made out of clay without any detailed design, and other times it was carved in Jet, a gemstone, and made from silver, a metal known for its purity and metaphysical properties.

There are also variations in the fingers, with some depictions showing a natural hand and others, two symmetrical thumbs on either side, forming a crest. You may have also seen this symbol with the fingers spread apart and facing upwards, and some closed together, facing downwards.