Hamsa

A hamsa is a charm, symbol or talisman used by both people of Islamic and Jewish faiths. It is thought to ward off the evil eye and offer protection from the hand of God. The hamsa, also called the hamesh hand, looks like a hand with three fingers pointing upward and the thumb and pinky pointing outward. The palm of the hand is commonly covered with an eye.

Earliest use of the hamsa predates Islam, though the name hamsa is Arabic. Some connect the hamsa to its use by the Phoenicians or Punic people in honor of the goddess Tanit. She was considered the patron of Carthage, and a goddess who controlled the lunar cycle. Many identify Tanit as an early possible origin for Greek goddesses such as Hera and Athena.