Is the Hamsa Hindu? The Khamsa Hand and Its Real Origins

No, the hamsa is not a Hindu symbol. The hand-shaped amulet called the hamsa, or khamsa, belongs to the Middle East and North Africa, where it is used by Muslims, Jews and Christians alike as a sign of protection against the evil eye. The confusion comes from a Sanskrit word that sounds the same but means something entirely different.

Where the hamsa comes from

Khamsa is Arabic for "five", after the five fingers of the open hand. The amulet is often shown symmetrically, with a thumb on each side, and frequently with an eye in the palm. Its exact origins are debated, but one of its best-known historic appearances is the great open hand carved over the Gate of Justice of the Alhambra in Granada, built in the fourteenth century.

Hand of Fatima, Hand of Miriam

Muslims often call it the hand of Fatima, after the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad. In Jewish tradition it is known as hamesh, "five", or the hand of Miriam, after the sister of Moses and Aaron. The amulet came into Jewish use through the communities of North Africa and the Middle East, and today it is as common in Israel as the Star of David; in 2019 the Museum for Islamic Art in Jerusalem devoted an exhibition to its shared life among Jews and Arabs.

Why people think it is Hindu

In Sanskrit, haṃsa is a completely different word, meaning a swan or goose, and it has its own important place in Hindu and yogic imagery. The two words simply sound alike. Modern designs that combine the hamsa hand with the Om sign or chakra imagery add to the confusion, but they are recent fusions rather than a Hindu tradition. Indian art does have its own sacred hand gestures, such as the abhaya mudra, the raised hand of reassurance, but they are distinct from the hamsa.

The hamsa in jewellery

As a charm or pendant, the hamsa carries a shared Middle Eastern and North African tradition of protection and blessing. You can browse AURYN's charms collection, or read about the Turkish evil eye, the hamsa's close companion.