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Art of the Day: Wednesday December 15, 2004

HAMSA 2

- by Rossanna Nagli

This week's theme: Happy Chanukah!

This week finds us in the midst of the Festival of Lights. After the victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks and religious oppression, it was necessary to rededicate the Temple in Jerusalem. After searching, only one flask of oil could be found with which to light the Menorah. This flask, enough for one day, lasted for eight. In celebration of these events, for eight days, the candles of the Menorah are lit. Happy Chanukah!

-Melissa Morton

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In popular use for over fifteen hundred years, the Hamsa (Chamsa), from the Semitic root meaning five, is a representation of the protective hand of God. Hand amulets are common in many cultures as talismans to ward off the evil eye and appropriately many Hamsas have a single eye embedded in the center of the palm to depict God’s watchful presence. This ancient symbol is used as a protective amulet by both Jews and Muslims. It is usually worn around the neck or hung on walls or over doors. SOLD