MEANING: Depicting the open right hand, The Hamsa (Chamsa, Khamsa) is an image recognized and used as a sign of protection in many societies (Muslim, Christians, Egyptians, North Africans, and Jews) throughout history. The chamsa provides 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. The hamsa's path into Jewish culture, and its popularity particularly in Sephardic and Mizrahi Jewish communities, can be traced through its use in Islam. This "favorite Muslim talisman" became a part of Jewish tradition in North African and Middle Eastern Jewish communities. Jews retained the Arabic name hamsa, but renamed it the Hand of Miriam, referencing the sister of the biblical Moses, so as not to reference the daughter of the prophet of Islam.
The Star of David, also called the Shield of David or the Magen David, is a recognized symbol of Jewish identity and Judaism. There are many ideas about the symbolic meaning of the Star of David. Some Kabbalist thought that the six points represented God's absolute rule over the universe in all six directions: north, south, east, west, up and down. They also believed that the triangles represented humanity’s dual nature – good and evil – and that the star could be used as protection against evil spirits. The structure of the star, with two overlapping triangles, has also been thought to represent the relationship between God and the Jewish people. The star that points up symbolizes God and the star that points down represents us here on earth. Yet others have noticed that there are twelve sides on the triangle, perhaps representing the Twelve Tribes. In addition to being a sign of protection, the Hamsa also represents blessings, power, and strength. It can be displayed with the fingers pointing up or down. My (Katrina) personal feeling is with fingers up it represents protection, fingers down pours blessings upon the household. Coop keyholes the back of the Hamsa so it can be displayed in either direction.
SIZE: 11.5 tall by 10.5 wide
THE CARVING: Our carvings are single pieces of western red cedar, designed and carved to be wall hangings. Each carving begins as a 1 X 12-inch cedar board. While we use power tools (Scroll Saw, Rotary shaft Tool, handheld detail sanders, etc.), we use no lasers, CNC machines or computer-operated cutting machines. All work is done with our hands and eyes…
We cut the 2-dimensional blanks with scroll and jig saws (double-sized custom orders have to be cut with a jigsaw). Carving is done with rotary shaft tools and disc grinders. The 80-grit sanding is the final phase of the carving process, removing the nicks and gouges from the carving tools, and finishes the shaping of the weave. The next 2 sandings with 120 and then 220 grit finishes the smoothing and polishing. They are finished with Clear Danish Oil to seal the piece, bringing out the grain and the color.
