HAND OF FATIMA

A folk motif.

European name for the khamsa (from Arabic, "five"), the hand with five fingers extended. It can be found today throughout the Middle East in women's jewelry, flat-weaving, embroidery, door-knockers, automobile ornamentation, and so on. Precursors include the Punic "Hand of Baal" and the Roman V-shaped amulets (possibly representing the Roman numeral five), all for protection from the evil eye.

laurence michalak

Hand of Fāṭima (Arab., yad Fāṭima, also known as al-kaff, ‘the palm’). Decorated hand or palm, common in Islam as a charm. It has no connection with Fāṭima, the daughter of Muḥammad.