hamsa
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
Borrowed from Hebrew חַמְסָה (khámsa), from Arabic خَمْسَة (ḵamsa, “five”), used among Jews of Arabic origin for the fingers on the hand.
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
hamsa (plural hamsas)
- The Hand of Fatima.
- 2020 November 25, Tanya Dukes, “Gilt-y Pleasures: Holiday Gift Ideas for the Jewelry Lover”, in The New York Times[2], →ISSN:
- Variously associated with qualities ranging from warding off evil to promoting fertility, the open hand of the hamsa is thought to have originated in Mesopotamia and is recognized the world over.
Translations edit
Hand of Fatima — see also Hand of Fatima