Michal Golan Jewelry Hamsa Necklace

Michal Golan Hamsa Necklaces. The Hamsa (also known as the Hand of Fatima, the Hand of Miriam or the Hamesh hand) is a Muslim and Jewish symbol of good luck intended to ward off evil and protect against the evil eye and the envious. The Hamsa is shaped like an open hand stopping or warning an enemy. It represents the belief in the magical, protective properties of the number five in both Islamic and Jewish mysticism. Traditionally, Hamsas have been used as either wall and door plaques or as protective amulets. Hamsas have also generally contained either an eye design (representing the evil eye) or a protective prayer in the center of the palm. It has attained both religious and cultural symbolism. Israeli artist Michal Golan has tried to integrate both the cultural importance and the mystical significations of the symbol in her Judaica line. Although she has invigorated the Hamsa through the use of gems, colors and textures, she has also worked to maintain the original integrity of the Hamsa through the inclusion of traditional eye designs, prayers, and Stars of David in the center of many of her Hamsa designs.