Hamsa (Hand of Fatima) amulet

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Overview

Hamsa (Hand of Fatima) amulet made from a light silver coloured metal (likely to be aluminium). It is in the shape of a hand with a thumb and closed fingers and has a circular loop at the base of the hand through which a chain or string could be threaded for suspension.
On one side of the hand, the border has a zigzag pattern, inside of which is a central star made up of two squares, known as the Star of Lakshmi. The squares have the same zigzag border as the outside of the hand. The centre of the star has a flower or sun motif. The area surrounding the star features decorative leaves on a stippled background.
On the other side of the hand has an Ottoman motif - crescent moons and stars - at the base near the loop - and Arabic text in both vertical and horizontal lines inscribed into the metal.
The item appears to be quite crudely made by hand rather than machine made or stamped.

Historical information

The Hamsa hand is a universal sign of protection, power and strength that dates back to ancient Mesopotamia. It is known as the Hand of Fatima in Islam and the Hand of Miriam in Judaism, and is believed to protect against against the evil eye and and all negative energies.
The word “Hamsa” means “five", representing the fingers of the right hand. For Hindus and Buddhists, it symbolizes chakras, energy flow in the body, the five senses and the mudras that affect them.
Each finger connects to an element and chakra: thumb - fire element, solar plexus chakra; forefinger - air element, heart chakra; middle finger - ethereal elements, throat chakra; ring finger - earth element, root chakra; and little finger - water element, sacral chakra.
The hamsa hand can be displayed in two ways. When it faces down, it opens you up to all of the abundance and goodness of the universe, as well as bringing fertility and answers to prayers and manifestations. The fingers are often closed together to bring good luck. When facing up, it is a universal sign of protection against evil.
The Star of Lakshmi represents the eight different forms of the goddess Lakshmi in Hinduism. Lakshmi is highly regarded as the goddess of fortune, wealth, and abundance.

This particular hamsa has a hole at the base of the hand, indicating it may have been suspended downwards. The fingers are closed. When purchased, it was described as an amulet given to a Turkish soldier who fought during World War One in the hope that he would return home safely. This supports the good luck theory.
It appears to have been made from aluminium. British historian, Guy de la Bédoyère, believes it may have been made from a Turkish water bottle (originally manufactured in Germany) as trench art by a soldier, but this is not proven.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00564

Item type

Material

Width

40 mm

Height or length

77 mm

Depth

1 mm

Inscriptions and markings

Inscribed Arabic characters on hamsa:

"بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
نصر من الله وفتح قريب

يعوذ من شر كل شيء
بسم الله الذي لا يضر مع اسمه شيء في الأرض ولا في السماء وهو السميع العليم"

Translation (English):

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Help from God and a near victory

(He) seeks refuge from the evil of all things
In the name of God, with whose name nothing on Earth or in the heavens can cause harm, and He is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing

Keywords

Ottoman Empire

Good Luck Charm

Religious

Primary significance criteria

Artistic or aesthetic significance

Scientific or research significance

Social or spiritual significance

Comparative significance criteria

Interpretive capacity

Rare or representative

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