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- Hamsa Healing Waters Necklace
Hamsa Healing Waters Necklace
The Hamsa
The simplest form of this symbol is the hand. The Hamsa has a variety of different spellings which includes hamesh, hamsa, chamsa, and khamsa. It has also been calledas the Hand of Miriam (Aaron and Moses�s sister), and the Hand of Fatima. This palm shaped amulet is popular in North Africa and the Middle East as well as by those who follow the pagan and new age paths. The Hamsa has a special place in Judaism, and has become a sacred symbol in Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Shamanism, and in Jain beliefs.
The Hamsa depicts the open right hand which throughout history has been recognized as a sign of protection against evil. It is said to have originated in Punic Carthage, which in more modern times became Tunisia, and have even been traced back to ancient Mesopotamia. The Hamsa was associated with the Goddess Tanit who was the equivalent to the moon-goddess Astarte. It is also one of the national symbols of Algeria and can be found on it emblem.
In ancient times the Hamsa was painted on walls and doorways for protection, it was especially used in rooms/doors that housed an expectant mother or new born child. Today however it is most commonly used as jewelry and wall hangings. As jewelry the symbol has endured through the ages and was most commonly created from jet and silver, a metal that corresponds to magic and purity. The Hamsa can be depicted either with the fingers closed together to bring good luck or with the finger's spread apart to ward away evil.
The mystical properties of the Hamsa are legendary. as a talisman it is believes to protect the wearer against the evil eye, a malicious stare that is believed to cause bad luck, illness or even death in some cases. A person not wearing the Hamsa can also ward away the evil eye by raising the right hand with the finger's slightly apart, which will blind the aggressor or they can say "khamsa wa-khamis" which translates to "five and Thursday". Thursday is the fifth day of the week and is excellent day magic rites and pilgrimages to the tombs of saints which is said to counteract the effects of the evil eye curse. The Hamsa is not only a protective symbol it is also brings the wearer or home blessings, goodness, abundance, fertility, luck and good health.
Measures 16 in.