The Hamsa is one of the most recognisable symbols of all time, with both religious and cultural significance in many parts of the world. No matter what faith you are, it is a sign that symbolises protection and is meant to bring its owner happiness, luck, health and good fortune.

Hamsa Hand Meaning - Hindu and Buddhism

For Hindus and Buddhists, it symbolises the connection between chakras, which is the energy flow in your body, the five senses, and the mudras that affect them.

 Each finger of the Hamsa hand has its own energy:

- Thumb: Fire element, solar plexus chakra.

- Forefinger: Air element, heart chakra.

- Middle Finger: Ethereal elements, throat chakra.

- Ring Finger: Earth element, root chakra.

- Pinkie Finger: Water element, sacral chakra.

 Hamsa Hand Meaning – Islam

In the Islamic faith, it symbolises The Hand of Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet Mohammed. The Fatima amulet is called a Khamsa in the Muslim world, from the Arabic word for five, and is seen as protection against the evil eye.

 Hamsa Hand Meaning – Judaism

In Jewish culture, the hamsa is called the Hand of Miriam, Aaron and Moses's sister. In Hebrew, the number five is "hamesh" and the fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet is "Hey," one of God's holy names. "Hamesh" is representative of the five books of the Torah. In Judaism, it is also interpreted to be the Hand of Miriam, and symbolic of the owner's five senses that are used in the praise of, and connection with, a higher universal power.

Hamsa Hand Meaning – Christianity

The Hamsa Hand is known as the Hand of Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ in Levantine Christianity.

While it’s uncommon to worship any symbol apart from the cross in Christianity, the Hand of Mary is still considered divine as Mary was an ordinary person who became the mother of Jesus Christ.

Owing to this, the Hand of Mary symbol is associated with divinity, compassion, nurturing, care, femininity, protection, and as a bearer of good fortune.

There are two main styles that the Hamsa comes in, with the hand either facing down or facing up:

Hand Facing Down

Facing down, the Hamsa abundance and goodness. It becomes a welcoming sign that invites good things into your life. In this position, the fingers are generally close together, as a sign of invitation for good luck.

Hand Facing Up

If the hand faces upwards, it is a sign against evil. It is representative of protection and repels the negativity of others and protects you from your own negative thoughts, such as envy, hatred, and greed. The fingers may be spread apart to repel evil.

First recorded by the Mesopotamians about 5,000 years ago in writing on clay tablets, the evil eye may actually have originated as early as the Paleolithic age. We also find this figure in Jewish, Christian and Muslim cultures as well as Buddhist and Hindu society. The evil eye is a curse that is believed to be imposed by a malicious glare, usually against an innocent person.

It is believed there are three evil eyes:

- The first are unconscious evil eyes. These harm people and things, without intending to.

-The second intends to harm.

- The third is unseen, hidden evil.

The use of the evil eye symbol on jewellery is thought to reflect the evil glare back onto the person giving it. It is usually also depicted in the colour blue, which stems from its use in Egypt, where glazed mud would become blue when baked.

One of the most well-known symbols from ancient Egypt, the Eye of Horus was a sacred and powerful symbol, shaped to resemble a falcon's eye, along with the distinctive teardrop on the bottom that was used everywhere, from artwork to jewellery to clothes and hieroglyphics. 

Also known as Wadjet, the Eye of Horus was a symbol of Horus, the Egyptian sky god, not too be confused with the Eye of Ra, an ancient Egyptian goddess, which is similar but slightly different. Originally, both the right and left eyes were associated with Horus, but over time, the right eye became associated with Ra, the god of the sun, order, kings, and the sky. 

The eye of Horus symbolises regeneration, healing, and divine protection from the gods while The Eye of Ra symbolises protection that comes from power, violence, and fury.

The story goes that Osiris, king of Egypt, was killed by his brother Set who wanted to become king.

However, unbeknownst to him, Osiris’ wife magically brought him back to life and then became pregnant with Horus. When he grew up, Horus avenged his father’s death, killing his uncle Set but losing one of his eyes in the process.

From this came the belief in a benevolent eye, a symbol that is believed to be all powerful, with the ability to ward off evil.

Sailors often paint the Eye of Horus onto their boats to help them have blue skies and calm seas when sailing and it is also worn as an amulet to protect from harm.

How is it used today?

Today, the Eye of Horus is still used for protection against evil forces and is also believed to bring good health, rejuvenation, energy, and vitality to its wearer.

It is placed in homes to improve safety and security from both physical and emotional dangers. It is also used in magic spells, to keep negative energy away and to attract positive energy.”

Arguably as famous as the Eye of Horus, it’s not surprising that the two are often confused with one another, but they are the eyes of two different Egyptian deities. Originally, both the right and left eyes were associated with Horus, but over time, the right eye became associated with Ra, the god of the sun, order, kings, and the sky. 

The Eye of Ra, also known as the Eye of Re/Rah, is an ancient Egyptian symbol used to represent the goddess considered to be the female counterpart (mother, daughter, and companion) of the sun god, Ra and it is believed to be a force that uses violence to subdue and control its enemies.

Though the eye is an extension of Ra, associated with the disk shape of the sun, it is also an independent entity that can be used to personify a variety of Egyptian goddesses such as Mut, Bastet, Hathor, Wadjet, and Sekhmet.

Though it was typically thought of as a violent, destructive force, the symbol representing the eye was also used for protection and inscribed on amulets and walls.

The many meanings associated with wearing the Eye of Ra

- Fertility and Birth 

The Eye of Ra played the role of a mother, daughter and companion of Ra and was therefore a symbol of procreation, fertility, and birth. Its life-giving power was celebrated in temple rituals of ancient Egyptians.

- Great Power and Strength

Ancient Egyptians relied on her power, compared to the heat of the sun, which could get out of control and become very violent. In fact, the Eye of Ra’s aggressiveness extends not only to humans but also to deities, representing the destructive side of Ra.

- A Symbol of Protection

Ancient Egyptians viewed her as an overprotective mother over her people and land. The Eye of Ra was also regarded as the symbol of royal authority and protection, since it was painted on amulets worn by pharaohs to defend themselves against evil entities, spells, or enemies.