Description
The Hand of Fatima or the Khamsa (Arabic: خمسة, literally "five") is a protective hand-shaped amulet of Berber-Moroccan origin, popular in the Middle East and North Africa, but also increasingly found in Western Europe. The amulet is hung on pendants on walls and in cars. In some cases, the Hand of Fatima is combined with the Nazar, a ward against the Evil Eye. This tradition is considered superstition and has no origins in Islam. The Hand of Fatima refers to Muhammad's daughter, Fatima Zahra. Some Christians call the amulet the Hand of Mary. In Jewish tradition, it is called the Hand of Miriam.
