What Is The History Of Evil Eye Or Hamsa Pendant Jewellery?
The hand shaped symbol found in hamsa pendant jewellery is a design in the shape of a hand, often with an eye embedded in the palm portion of the piece. Often this design, used in jewellery, is referred to as evil eye jewellery.
Many people buy this design simply because it is an attractive and exciting design. Still, the design, which has a history going back thousands of years, has a host of symbolism and meanings, increasing its value to wearers who know something of its history.
The hamsa has various meanings. It can mean luck, health, peace, fertility, and prosperity. Some people interpret it as the three extended fingers symbolising God, the Virgin Mary, and Jesus Christ. Others believe that the extended fingers can mean strength, protection, and wisdom.
The symbol has significance for many religions and belief systems originating in the Middle East and spreading out across Africa, Europe and the world. Different groups of people have taken the design to match their own beliefs. No one religion or belief system can lay claim to the design as wholly their own. However, all groups that value the hamsa symbol see the design as a symbol of protection, happiness, good fortune and good health.
The Origin Of The Hamsa Name
The current name for the symbol of five extended fingers is hamsa or sometimes hamza. These spellings are derived from the Arabic word meaning 'five' and 'the five fingers of the hand'. Sometimes the hamsa is known as the Hand of Fatima after the prophet Muhammad's daughter and as the Hand of the Goddess, Hand of Mary and Hand of Miriam according to the wearer's religious beliefs.
0.33ct Diamond and 18K White Gold 'Evil Eye' Hamsa Pendant Necklace
£697.00
£1,167.00
Hamsa symbols are considered a good luck charm in many cultures. The hamsa symbol has never looked better than in this pendant necklace. The pendant is fashioned in 18k white gold. It features 0.33ct of ethically sourced diamonds, hand-cut into… read more
Five Fingers With Thousands Of Years Of History
Archaeologists have traced the first use of the extended palm design back to ancient Mesopotamia, one of the first areas of the world to have a recorded civilisation, situated in modern-day Iraq and Syria. The symbol was found on trinkets, jewellery, and building walls, suggesting it was a powerful symbol as long ago as 1000 BC. Since then, the character has been co-opted by religious groups, including the ancient Egyptians, Islam, Judaism, Christianity and Santeria. The symbol is also used in the Indian religions of Hinduism and Buddhism. In North America, Native American cultures also used a very similar sign, but its symbolism is unknown.
Today, the symbol is a very holy symbol used in religious items and has become a part of everyday Israeli life and, for many people, a symbol of the state of Israel. It has become something of a general-purpose good-luck charm and is used in trinkets, jewellery and even on advertisements, keychains etc. Today Jewish communities in the United States extensively use the symbol to be seen in fine jewellery and interior decorations on wall tiles and other architectural elements.
Meanings Associated With The Hamsa Symbol
It is impossible with such a long history in a few paragraphs to give all the meanings and symbolism associated with this ancient design, so here are just a few. However, we can see that across cultures, there are quite a few similarities.
In the Santeria religion of West Africa, the hamsa pendant is believed to bring good luck and protection from evil spirits. Many people think that the hamsa is the holy symbol of an evil spirit that roams around villages, towns, communities, and homes.
In Jewish tradition, the hamsa has been related to the strong hand and outstretched arm of The Lord, who took the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.
In Islamic culture, the hamsa hand symbolises bravery, power and defence. It is a protective symbol, although the rules around how and if the hamsa can be worn and for what reasons are complex due to the symbolism of the design within Islamic culture and how it is seen and used in other cultures and religious groups.
In Morocco, the Hamsa symbol is called 'Khamsa' or 'Khmisa' and is widely used to protect against bad luck and evil people. The Hamsa design is part of many items of home décor but is most commonly found in jewellery. Most Moroccan women have at least one piece of jewellery that incorporates the hamsa. For many people, the first time they see the hamsa and buy any item containing the hamsa is from markets in North Africa where tourists see the attractive jewellery and trinkets and buy them as keepsakes and souvenirs without knowing anything of their history or significance.
0.60ct Diamond Ruby 18K Yellow Gold 'Evil Eye' Hamsa Pendant Necklace
£917.00
£1,567.00
0.60ct of sparkling and ethically sourced G/SI quality diamonds in a pave setting accentuate a striking tension set ruby at the heart of this classic 'evil eye' hamsa pendant necklace. Handcrafted in the UK with care and attention, the pendant… read more
In Arabic and Berber cultures, the hamsa appears in the emblem of Algeria. The symbol is used to ward off the evil eye and is associated with the saying 'khamsa fi ainek', meaning 'five fingers in your eye'.
In Christianity, the hamsa symbol is sometimes called the Hand of Mary in Middle Eastern Christianity. It is not a religious symbol, in the same way as the cross is. The symbol is associated with compassion, nurturing, femininity and, as in many other cases, good luck.
The Hamsa In Modern Fine Diamond Jewellery
The Hamsa Pendant is a very unique yet very traditional symbol. In many parts of the world, this type of necklace is commonly worn by males and females. They are made of precious metals such as gold and silver and come in different shapes and sizes. Other designs are also available for those who prefer it plain or with an embellished design. At All Diamond, we have created a collection of delicate diamond pendants with many designs, not all of which incorporate the eye.
0.60ct Diamond Blue Sapphire 18K 'Evil Eye' Hamsa Pendant Necklace
£917.00
£1,567.00
A stunning and eye-catching 'evil eye' hamsa pendant necklace handmade in the UK. The pendant features a soothing, tension set, deep blue sapphire with an almost hypnotic look placed at the centre of 0.60ct of dazzling and ethically sourced G/SI… read more
There is no need to hold a particular belief or be of a specific religion to wear these lovely pendants. They have become very fashionable in the western world without any particular connotations except, possibly for good luck and health. We would be thrilled for you to check our collection of British designed and hand-made hamsa or evil eye designs and enjoy the heritage of thousands of years in a very stylish and modern fashion.
