The Hand of Fatima: my constant companion
Travel anywhere in the east — from Turkey through to India — and you’ll be sure to come across the Hand of Fatima.
This intriguing symbol is an ages-old insignia, an amulet, protector and reminder for peoples of different faiths and no faith at all.
Its history is fascinating and multi-layered, weaving its own tale of spirituality and commonality across a diverse geographical and cultural landscape.
It’s something I’ve fallen in love with and, like all good things, want to share with my friends and readers.
A multicultural symbol
This symbol is striking in both its beauty and multiculturalism. “Fatima” refers to the daughter of the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the founder of Islam, yet is also linked to Miriam, Moses’ (peace be upon him) sister and a significant figure in the Jewish faith, and Mary, mother of Jesus (peace be upon him).
https://www.pexels.com/photo/hamsa-with-carved-metal-city-and-bird-illustrations-6207387/
The Hand of Fatima is also known as the Hamsa, a reference to the number five in Arabic. Here in the Islamic world, the five fingers can represent the five pillars of Islam: the declaration of faith, prayer, charity, fasting and pilgrimage.
And in Buddhism and Hinduism, I understand that the Hamsa can represent the energy that flows between the chakras and is used as a tool for meditation.
But the symbol is believed to pre-date these and other religions and philosophies, who later adopted it as a sign of their faith and values.
Transcending barriers
Scholars say the Hamsa originated in Mesopotamia (an area now found in modern-day Iraq, Kuwait, Turkey and Syria) or in Carthage (in present-day Tunisia).
Wherever it originated, it is now known as a universal symbol of protection — and yes, you do feel a shift in energy when you come across it on some market stall or when you slip your Hand of Fatima ring upon your finger.
Indeed, it is sometimes depicted with an eye in the centre of the design, which is understood to ward off that other eye, the evil one.
It can also signify good health, good fortune and good luck — so what’s not to like?
Given its multifaith and multicultural background, I like to think of the Hand of Fatima as a universal and unifying symbol — an olive branch that transcends any barriers of faith and geography.
I also love that it’s connected with strong feminine energy — something to be mindful of and celebrated every day!
My constant companion
In my travels in the Middle East, my Hand of Fatima ring has been my constant companion, a reminder that when life gets challenging, complicated, clouded by homesickness and grief, one need only return to those five pillars for a sense of belonging and grounding.
And in the high-energy, high-maintenance environs I find myself in, I’m amused by how often my ring, bought for just a few dirhams in a local market, is admired.
What I also love about this symbol is that it translates right across to the other half of my life in rural East Anglia. Somehow my Hand of Fatima ring looks just right nestled amongst the roses, resting on a saucer, shining in the benign Suffolk light.
I wonder sometimes too if my paternal grandparents shared my love for this beautiful emblem. Would my grandmother Sarah, born and bred in Kolkata, have worn such a ring?
And surely my grandfather Alfred would have been familiar with the Hand of Fatima, having travelled a long way for a lad from Worcester to India, Egypt and Mesopotamia in his military and civilian careers.
A friend and supporter
So the Hand of Fatima, adopted and adapted by so many people from all over the world, brings together past and present, near and far, representing good vibes only, whichever faith or culture is yours.
It’s there to embrace as your very own personal symbol, a friend and supporter to inspire, comfort and guide you in these changing and sometimes bewildering times.
