Symbolism

Here we can see the hand on a leather key satchel. And there is one tucked away in the keychain as well. The five fingers are sometimes clearly recognizable, and sometimes more abstract. Within Islam, the five fingers represent the Five Pillars of Islam, the Shahada (Declaration of Faith), Salah (Prayer), Zakat (Almsgiving), Sawm (Fasting) and Hajj (Pilgrimage). These are the five fundamental religious obligations for every Muslim.

The evil eye is thought to possess the power to curse anyone towards whom it directs its angry gaze, unbeknown to the person being targeted. Many cultures believe that being gazed at by the evil eye can cause diseases, injuries or even death. This fear dates back to ancient Greece and Rome, but even today, there is a strong belief in the evil eye amongst Hindus, Buddhists and South-European Christians. The hand watches over the one wearing it, and protects them against evil. Occasionally, the hand is also worn as a lucky charm in times of hardship or sickness.

I also used to come across the hand when I visited friends or family. Many of the objects in my aunt’s house depicted the hand. Whether on a pretty silver pillow or on this leather satchel, I could always find the hand someplace.

Some years ago, our Turkish neighbor, a lady who had long passed the age of 80, gifted our family a silver plate with the hand on it. In the middle of the hand was a blue eye. Now, more than ten years later, I am finally realizing why we received that plate. It was a symbolic gift to protect us against the evil eye. As well-intended as it was, the hand is not without controversy.