A
motif in
Arab world: a downward hanging
hand, often taking form in
jewelry, a door knocker, or as a wall hanging to ward off the
evil eye. It has two thumbs, that is, the hand is typically
symmetrical with the
pinky finger and
thumb appearing of equal length and width. The Hand of Fatima typically does not have an
eye in the center of the palm.
Named after the daughter of Mohammed, although in pre-Islamic Arabia the moon goddess was named Fatima. Also known as the hamsa hand, or the hamesh hand in Jewish culture.
A grouping of five
stone spires in the
Sahel near Hombori,
Mali.