The Hamsa and Your Success

The Hamsa is a very interesting symbol used infortune and prosperity.
both Islamic and Jewish culture.As to whether it is appropriate to use the Hamsa
Most commonly, the Hamsa is made in the shapewith the fingers pointing up or down, it depends
of a hand with five fingers outstretched. There is,upon whether you wish for protection against the
however, the unique Cohanim Hamsa. In thisevil eye, or for luck and success. With the fingers
position, the forefinger and third finger are joinedpointed up, the Hamsa symbolizes a "stop sign" to
from one side, and the ring finger and the littlethe adversary, in other words, for protection.
finger are joined from the other side. This formsWith the fingers pointed down, the Hamsa
the Hebrew letter "shin" and is the position of asymbolizes God's goodness and blessings coming
Cohen's fingers when he blesses the congregation.down to the wearer or to the room where it is
The name "Hamsa" ("Hansa" in Sanskrit, or "Alhung. The interpretation of the Hamsa is for the
Khamsa" in Arabic) is from the Semitic root wordindividual who owns it.
for five, and is a very ancient symbol in theFor those interested in numerology, the word
Middle East. Although it is an ancient symbol, the"Hamsa" means five, which is a prime number.
Hamsa is still popular today and is believed toThe number five is a powerful number
possess magical powers of protection, happinesssymbolizing protection, power and good fortune.
and prosperity.The fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet is "hey,"
Some say that the Jews were the first to adoptwhich means "Adonai" (God). The word "yad"
the use of the Hamsa, as a protective amulet(Hebrew for "hand," the shape of the Hamsa) has
against the evil eye. Jewish lore sometimes callsthe number 14. If you take the number 14 and
the Hamsa the Hand of Miriam, referring toview it as 1 plus 4, it equals 5, the number for
Miriam, the sister of Moses, or it is more generallyAdonai.
called the Hand of God.In Chinese philosophy, the number five symbolizes
The Hamsa hand is also a popular talisman withthe five senses, five basic colors and five
Muslims, who call it the Hand of Fatima, referringelemental activities -- Earth, Fire, Metal, Water and
to the daughter of Mohammed. To the Muslims,Wood, and it is linked to the "sefira" Geburah, on
the Hamsa sometimes refers to the five pillars ofthe tree of life (Kabbalah).
Islam.The number five is also represented in the
The Hamsa (also spelled "Chamsa" or "Khamsa") isPentagram (five pointed star) and is an emblem
a very versatile symbol and can be worn as afor defense (The Pentagon).
pendant, can be used as a wall hanging or isThe Pentagon in Washington, D.C. is a well known
sometimes even placed in a car for good luck andfive sided building in the shape of a pentagon. The
protection from evil.Pentagon was designed to house the War
When trying to decide where to hang a HamsaDepartment around the time the United States
you may find a lot of answers, but the truth isentered WWII. Ever since it was built the
that it is according to your feelings. Hang thePentagon has been a symbol of power and
Hamsa where you need its powers of success ordefense for the United States and her allies.
where you desire its powers of defense. As wellFrom this article we can learn about the Hamsa
as being worn as jewelry on your body, theand the connection between the Hamsa hand, the
Hamsa can be used as a wall decor in yourHand of God, the pentagram, the Pentagon and
bedroom or living room, or you could hang it inthe Seal of Solomon. They are all symbols of the
your kitchen where everyone would be blessed,number five, the symbol of power, protection and
or under the mirror of your car, to bring goodsuccess.