The hamsa (Arabic: خمسة‎ khomsah, also romanized khamsa, meaning lit. "five") is a palm-shaped amulet popular throughout North Africa, and commonly used in jewellery and wall hangings.[1][2] Depicting the open right hand, an image recognized and used as a sign of protection in many societies throughout history, the hamsa provides superstitious defense against the evil eye. It is also known as the hand of Fatima, so named to commemorate Muhammad's daughter Fatima Zahra. Levantine Christians call it the hand of Mary, for the mother of Jesus. In the Jewish traditions , it was also renamed the hand of Miriam for Miriam, sister of Moses but most commonly as Khamsha.