Tchochkes

 Hamsa symbol

Symbols like the Hamsa are not only beautiful, they add energy to a space when used in design.  Many people have Hamsa collections that they have accumulated over the years.  I recently helped my friend Ruty hang hers and it took us a few hours.  First we broke them out into groups, color, materials and style.  Then we grouped them on a table as they would appear on the wall, we made sure to leave room for new additions.  Then we marked the wall and started hanging them, shown here is the finished product.

This is the blue section on the “Great Wall of Hamsa”.

Here’s another idea for hanging Hamsas.  One of my clients did this all on their own and I was thrilled when I saw it, the white rectangle offers a nice window that highlights the Hamsas against the blue wall.

 I found a few examples of different Hamsas.  The details on these Hamsas reveal their cultural backgrounds.

This round Hamsa has the Star of David worked into the design which reveals its Jewish heritage.

And if your into protecting your body, you can go the Islamic tattoo Hamsa route.

Here’s the hand of the Tibetan Buddists goddess “White Tara”, the eye and the hand are one and the same.

Here in Israel, a group of youths working through the JDC in Hadera felt passionate enough about the Hamsa as a symbol of peace and protection; that they asked the towns mayor for permission to paint human scale Hamsas on the towns soccer field walls.  The project is aimed at uniting Jews and Muslims by “letting the walls speak”. 

The Hamsa is a symbol of divine protection.  Its meaning remains the same in the many cultures that covet it.  The hand symbol, or as it is known here in Israel ”The Hamesh Hand” (hamesh = 5) is a symbol for good luck.  Most commonly it is hung in or near a doorway to protect all those who enter and exit the home.  

Here’s my small collection which is hung near the entrance door inside my apartment… it’s nice to have a little help from my friends! 

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