My treasures

This year I chose to focus on amulets as cultural treasures of the Mediterranean countries, mostly Turkey, Greece or Spain, but also among citizens of Israel, who brought it as legacy from the countries they immigrated from.

An amulet is an object that has the power to protect its owner from danger or harm. Therefore, it can be wear or hang as decoration on the walls or doorways.

I focused on four very common icons and tried to explain what it means.

Hamsa

The Hamsa is a palm-shape amulet. "Khamsah" is an Arabic word that means "five", but also "the five fingers of the hand". The hand, particularly the open right hand, is a sign of protection that also represents blessings, power and strength, and is seen as potent in deflecting the evil eye. The hand can be depicted with the fingers spread apart to ward off evil, or as closed together to bring good luck.

Hamsa is the most popular amulet that was transformed into jewelry, either neckless or bracelets, offer various kinds of blessing to those who wear them.

 

 

 

Horse shoe

Horseshoes have long been considered lucky. This ancient structure was tended to believe can protect the house and its tenants against evil eye. Opinion is divided as to which way up the horseshoe ought to be nailed. Some say the ends should point up, so that the horseshoe catches the luck; others say they should point down, so that the luck is poured upon those entering the home. Either way, those who believe it can protect them, hang them on their home's entrance door.

 

 

 

Garlic

Garlic is known for its pungent smell. It is also known for its efficiency to strengthen our immune system. It is unclear how and what made it powerful against the evil eye and removing negative energies. Facts are that those who believe in its power use to hang garlic bulbs, tied to a braid made of natural fibers, in their hoses for good luck.

Like other superstitions, so about garlic, a person would need "to do something" to feel he has a way to influence and change his fate. It is said though for it to work, it must be given to you not bought.

 

 

 

Evil eye

There are two most famous "evil eye" in the Mediterranean region:

The Eye of Horus is an ancient Egyptian symbol of protection, royal power and good health. It was also bind to resurrection. Although it's antiquity, its power still exists today and is the ultimate sign of protection.

A nazar (blue bead) is an eye-shaped amulet, originally from Turkey. It is called so because a typical nazar is made of handmade glass featuring concentric circles shapes in dark blue, white, light blue and black. It is believed to protect its owner from evil spirits and the jealousy. This is the reason why it is so popular to wear as neckless or bracelet.

 

Shoshi Rimer

 

 

 

 

 

 

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