The hamsa (Arabic: خمسة, romanized: khamsa, lit. 'five', referring to images of 'the five fingers of the hand'),[1][2][3] also known as the hand of Fatima,[4] is a palm-shaped amulet popular throughout North Africa and in the Middle East and commonly used in jewellery and wall hangings.[5][6] Depicting the open hand, an image recognized and used as a sign of protection in many times throughout history, the hamsa has been traditionally believed to provide defense against the evil eye.