Hamsa
"What we ask of the heavens is often in our hands." - William Shakespeare
The word hand derives from manifestation (from the Hebrew iad) and means power, which can be achieved. The hand is a symbol of action, represents power, ability and dominance.
The left hand is associated with the female and the receiving, while the right hand is related to the male and the giving.
The symbol Hamsa is represented by a flat and open hand and we will now know its various representations, meanings and ways of using this talisman.
The Hamsa talisman was already used in Eastern Antiquity as a symbol of protection, even before it was used in Islam and Judaism.
Hamsa was a Phoenician symbol, associated with Tanit, protector-goddess of Carthage, whose hand removed evil.
Then the symbol was adopted by the Arab culture and by the Jews.
At present, the Hamsa symbol, used by both Jews and Islamists, has been used by peacekeepers in the Middle East as a means of mobilizing for the end of conflicts in that region.
HAMSA: WHAT IS THIS SYMBOL?
The origin of the word Hamsa derives from Arabic: خمسة, chamsa, which means, literally "five", allusive to the five fingers of the hand.
Its representation has the appearance of the palm of the hand with five extended fingers.
The symbol Hamsa is used as an amulet against the evil eye, to ward off negative energies and attract good vibrations.
There are several representations of the Hamsa talisman.
In the variations of the Hamsa symbol, there are some distinctions, with various designs and transcriptions, such as:
√ eye;
√ pigeon;
√ fish;
√ star;
√ words, like SUCCESS, in Hebrew.
The religious meaning of the Hamsa symbol is in its meaning: a hand that stops (it prevents evil and conveys power, strength and protection, attracting good.
The Hamsa talisman is a religious expression of blessing and protection for the wearer.
HAMSA in Buddhism
The Hamsa symbol also appears in Hinduism and Buddhism and is named Abhaya Mudra, denomination of a mudra (sacred posture of the hand).
The right hand extended upward is related to spiritual elevation and reverence for the Divine, which represents faith and spiritual strength.
Abhaya in Sanskrit means "fearlessness" (lack of fear).
It is a mudra (handstand) used by Hindus and Buddhists.
This mudra appears in the representation of Shiva Nataraja (Hindu god).
To do this mudra, one should place the left hand extended with the palm inwards and pointing to the ground in front of the chest, and the right hand extended with the palm outwards and pointing to the ceiling in front of the chest.
The positioning of the hand upwards is related to the sky and to that all associated (spiritual).
And the hand down is associated with the earth and everything related to it (physical).
The Greek eye, too, is a symbology of Arab origin and was assimilated by the ancient Greeks.
The representation of the Greek eye in the center of the palm of one hand symbolizes the all-seeing eye and is associated with the Omniscience of the Divine Source and Creator, reinforcing the protection and spiritual meaning of this symbol.
Now that we know the Hamsa talisman, we can take advantage of the meaning that this symbol transmits to us and with our right hand, in a gesture of peace, respect and gratitude, to revere the Spiritual, the Life and the Soul of each being!
Our hands can be our talisman, it all depends on how we use them!
Sources:
https://infogalactic.com/info/Hamsa
https://conceitos.com/hamsa/
https://www.greenme.com.br/significados/6023-hamsa-lenda-significado-mao-de-fatima