A pattern featuring a hamsa amulet has been added to the Stitching Cards collection.
Hamsa is an Arabic word meaning “five”. The palm-shaped amulet is popular throughout North Africa as jewelry and wall hangings. The open hand has been used as a sign of protection in many societies throughout history and is believed to provide defense against the evil eye. It is also known as the hand of Fatima, named after Muhammad’s daughter Fatima Zahra. Levantine Christians called it the hand of Mary, for the mother of Jesus, and in Jewish tradition it is known as the hand of Miriam for Miriam, sister of Moses.
The pattern size is 152 mm x 104 mm (6 x 4½ inches).