What is the Hand of Fatima ?

خمسة‎
khamsa

The Hand of Fatima is also known as the khamsa, meaning “five” (as in five fingers of a hand)
The name Fatima refers to Muhammad’s daughter Fatima Zahra.

It is an image of an open right hand and is used as a sign of protection against the evil eye. (The evil eye is a curse or legend believed to be cast by a malevolent glare, usually given to a person when they are unaware. Many cultures believe that receiving the evil eye will cause misfortune or injury.)

This palm-shaped sign is popular as jewellery or wall hangings throughout the Arab world.

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