Hamsa Hand necklace in copper

Hamsa or Khamsah means five and looks like five fingers on the palm of the hand. It is used as an amulet to ward of evil eye. It is also referred to as the Hand of Miriam or Hand of Fatima. Religions such as Judaism, Islam and Christianity consider Hamsa holy. I have to been looking to purchase a Hamsa pendant or amulet for a long but somehow been unsuccessful in my quest. As a Hindu who strongly believes in Karma and Karma bayan (effects of Karma), I do not prefer to wear amulets that have been made for others or worn previously by others. Therefore, I did not want to buy a used amulet and the new pieces look too clinical. After much thought, I made one myself, for myself. Here it is my Hamsa Hand necklace in copper.

Evil eye amulets in jewellery

As personal adornment, worn intimately close to the body,  jewellery works as a perfect conduit for sympathetic magic. Since adornment beautifies and that beauty attracts the evil eye, what can be better than jewellery to drive the evil that it entices. Do check out this post on Spiritual symbols as jewellery if you are interested to read more. Apart from amulets in the shape of hand, horseshoe, crescent, etc., beads of several kinds are used to keep evil at bay. You can find more about the evil eye beads here.

Hamsa Hand as a motif for well-being

A human hand has momentous capacity. We eat, clean, build, put away and even destroy things with our hands. We hug someone, pat and touch those whom we love with our hands. Hands are used to grant blessings, protect and offer aid. Further, it is also used to beg for mercy and thank the benefactor. Hence, hand as a motif is important in several ancient cultures. In Hinduism and Buddhism, the upward raised hand known as the Abhaya Hasta is the symbol of protection. In North Africa and Central Asia, it blocks evil. Hands with fingers facing downwards is a symbol of blessing in most cultures. The Hamsa hand motif is used as a door knocker, latch or a decorative wall hanging, next to the door or facing the door as well.

Hamsa Hand necklace

A Hamsa hand is typically made using silver or gold but I chose to make mine in copper. A metal Hamsa is engraved with motifs that signify water to counteract the fire of the evil eye. At other times, it is studded with a stone in the center to represent the pupil or an eye motif is placed at the center emphasising the “like-for-like” magic. Words from scripture and holy names may also be engraved on it. Since I wanted to make a powerful amulet that would protect me, I went for three out of four.

My copper sheet out of which I cut out the Hamsa hand had a delicate wave like texture. I used Liver of Sulphur to paint the edges of the amulet to give it an aged look. Angling for a smudged kohl look (kohl smudging and disappearing is a sign of energy shift) I also painted an eye with the same patina. To give it a golden glow, I applied the Yarrow resin tint on the hand. I glued a prong set glass stone (set in silver) in the center to represent the eye. I wanted to do a cold connection wire joint but I since I wanted to wear the piece for a webinar I was hosting, I ran out of time and used glue which I never do. Then, I joined both the hand and the connector together with an antique bronze chain using yellow agates and Czech crystals beads that I bought in Paris.

Here is me wearing the Hamsa Hand necklace with a Handloom Chanderi saree as I was hosting a webinar for the 7th National Handloom day on August 7th. I was feeling unwell for 2 days before the event. Hence, I wanted something that would offer me that protection and sense of well-being and the Hamsa did just that. If only there was an amulet to stop nagging thoughts that cause anxiety and depression, then I would make and wear that too. Well the whole world would want one!

I hope you found it interesting
Cheers