At all times, when people were threatened by catastrophes, fatal illnesses, wars or other disasters, they tried to protect themselves and loved ones with the help of otherworldly, higher powers. Conspiracies, prayers, amulets, inscriptions, symbols and many other mystical means have been in use from time immemorial to this day. One of the strongest very ancient amulets is considered to be an item under the strange name "hamsa".
Amulet Description
Even in the Neolithic era, i.e., 8 thousand years BC, people who inhabited the territories of the Sumerian state, the kingdom of Babylon, who lived on the banks of the Nile, hung in their dwellings a small object, in shape very similar to the brush of the right human hand, or rather palm. This is hamsa - an amulet that protects from the evil eye, troubles and misfortunes, evil influence and generally any negative energy.
Oddly enough, completely different peoples believed in him and even depicted almost the same way: parallel thumbs on both edges (2 instead of one, as on our palms), the same 2 following, and the longest between them. Often the palm (hamsa, amulet, not human) was decorated with various mystical symbols, but more on that later.
Religious aspects
No matter how different cultures and civilizations of peoples of different eras and territories differ, there is something in common in their religions, traditions, worldviews and even misconceptions and prejudices. For example, the same amulets. The most ancient hamsa amulet was found by archaeologists during excavations of Mesopotamian settlements. Similar specimens were found in the study of the oldest ancient civilizations - Phoenician, Indian, Greco-Roman and others. First of all, historians, ethnographers, and cultural scientists believe that the hamsa amulet dates back to the mythology of the ancient Phoenicians, in particular to their goddess Tanit (or Tank). She was worshiped by the inhabitants of the Mediterranean, North Africa and other places.
Tanith was considered a warrior goddess, the virgin mother of her people. Hence the hope of her omnipotent protection, and hamsa (amulet). Its significance was precisely in the protection with the help of the Tank, its powerful divine hand, from all sorts of misfortunes. There is evidence that worshipers even sacrificed children in order to pray for the protection of the deity. It was especially popular in Carthage. Later, the Tanit cult merged with the cult of Juno (and Aphrodite) in Greco-Roman mythology. What is interesting: the same amulet exists among the Semitic peoples and the inhabitants of the East, the followers of Islam - the Arabs. They call it nothing other than the "Hand of God."
The roots of the word and the interpretation of the name
Unusually, not only the origin of the amulet, but also the word itself, calling it. Hamsa - an amulet whose photos are presented here - has roots associated with several languages. Modern Arabic, Maltese, Hebrew have a common basis - the Semitic language. Translated from it, the name of the amulet translates as "five." This is a direct association with the very “Hand of God,” which was described above. And with human five!
The common proto-language explains to some extent the presence of an amulet both among Arabs and their original enemies of the Jews. By the way, Muslims associate these 5 fingers with 5 symbols of their faith. However, we already found out that the amulet appeared in deep paganism, before monotheistic teachings and religions. The symbol also dates back to the ancient Indian teachings, to the image of the Buddha. In Eastern religions, he personifies absolute divine protection.
From Venus to Fatima and Mary
If the ancient Phoenicians associated hamsa with Tanin, the Egyptians associated it with their other supreme deities - Isis and Osiris, who gave birth to the god Thor. The sacrifice was dedicated to the tank for children; in ancient Egypt, the hamsa's thumbs denoted the parent spirits who should protect the children. Therefore, amulets are often hung over or even worn on the cots of babies. Yes, and pregnant women amulets were very useful, supporting the good health of the expectant mother, providing easy delivery, plenty of breast milk and healthy offspring.
Besides the “hamsa” itself, that is, “fives,” the talisman is also called the hand of Mary (Miriam) and Fatima. Again, symbolic number 5 is associated with the Jewish Pentateuch of the Holy Torah. And Miriam is the sister of the very prophet Moses who brought the Jews to the Promised Land. Fatima is the daughter of Muhammad himself, the great Islamic prophet. According to legend, her image symbolizes patience, faith, and the palm - 5 pillars of the Muslim faith. In the modern Christian world, the mascot is also very popular. It is believed that he brings happiness.
The appearance of the amulet
Looking at different types of amulets, one can notice that hamsa can be with raised fingers and with their fingers down. And on the palm of the hand are the eye (the all-seeing divine eye), the six-pointed star (David), two fish, and even the female genitalia. This is due to those values that are embedded in the image. To protect themselves from the evil eye and curses, the amulet is worn around the neck with a cross or instead of it. Often special Jewish prayers or Indian blessings are written on the talisman. They also produce hamsa as a pendant for a bracelet, a key chain for machine or other keys. The color of the amulet - blue - joyful, bringing happiness. And it is decorated with gems of the same color.