An amulet is an object that has a protective, or apotropaic, purpose. Using hands as amulets is an ancient practice. Let us explore some of the different hand amulets that have been used to protect against evil over the last few thousand years.

Mano Pantea — The mano pantea is wild. Translating roughly to “pantheistic hand,” this amulet is a maximalist’s dream. It’s like someone said, “If frogs and turtles and scarabs and serpents and bells and pine cones all individually have protective qualities, what if we stuck them all together and put them on a hand???”

In the mano pantea, the hand itself faces upright and the fingers are in the position of “sacerdotal benediction”: first two fingers and thumb extended. The hand is covered on both sides with an assortment of amulets, each of which has a specific symbolic meaning and all of which possess protective qualities against the evil eye.

Each hand has a different collection of amulets, but common ornaments include: a semi-circular frame in which a woman nursing a child is depicted; a bird; a whip; a scarab; a frog; serpents; a caduceus two-handled vase; crocodile; weighing scales; a tortoise; a pine cone; a fig tree; a bee; a knife; a distaff; a strigil; a horseshoe-like figure with rings at the ends; bells; cymbals and representations of various figures.

Importantly, the mano pantea was used as an amulet — not as a votive, meaning that is was meant to be kept and displayed, not given as a spiritual offering.

It’s a lot to unpack. The House recommends The Evil Eye by Frederick Thomas Elworthy to those seeking a deeper understanding.

Mano Cornuta — (Horned Hand, variant of Corno, Cornuto & Cornicello ) The mano cornuta is a hand gesture used as an act of reproach and a potent symbol against the evil eye. When the mano cornuta is intended to avert the evil eye, the “horned hand” gesture is pointed toward the person with either hand and accompanied by saying or silently mouthing: “horn, horn, horn” or “cornuta, cornuta, cornuta,” if you prefer. When the horned hand is raised vertically toward one’s own forehead, it represents the “exalted horns.” When it is pointed toward the chin, it implies conjugal infidelity to the husband, branding him Cornuto (“horned”) — an insult of being a “cuckold” (or as the kids say today, a “cuck)” a reference to the cuckoo bird’s habit of laying its eggs in another bird’s nest. More on that here. Those seeking a deeper exploration of the horned hand and its connection to the evil eye are invited to read more here.

To make the gesture properly, the thumb is folded over the middle and ring fingers. With thumb extended, it is the sign for “I Love You” in ASL.

Mano Figa (aka Manofica, Mano Fica) — The mano figa (fig hand) is an obscene sexual gesture that is used to protect against — you guessed it— the evil eye! Figa means “fig” in Italian, and figa is a slang term for female genitalia, due to the alleged resemblance to the fruit. In the upward direction, it is a gesture of defiance, similar to “up yours.”In the downward direction, the mano figa takes on a phallic property and becomes a representation of the all-powerful protective horn. When using this gesture, say, “May the evil eye do no harm.”

You will sometimes see a closed hand or a fist described as a “mano figa” but it is technically not a figa unless the thumb is inserted between the index and middle finger.

There is one contemporary artist who makes the most magnificent, beautiful lampwork figas and The House strongly encourages you to check out her work. The mano figa is also a common element of a Brazilian amulet called the penca de balangandan.

Azabache — The azabache is a Latin-Caribbean charm against the evil eye. Made of a black, semi-precious material called jet (or sometimes “black amber” because it is actually a form of fossilized tree resin), the azabache is either carved into a round bead or into the shape of a hand (mano de azabache), worn with red cord as a necklace or bracelet.

Charms and bracelets made of azabache are popular with Christian pilgrims along the road to Santiago de Compostela because many Spaniards believe the stone brings good fortune and protects from evil. Its use in Santiago has been traced back to the 11th century, and today pilgrims in Santiago can find a vast selection of jewelry made of azabache from Asturias.

The azabache is frequently used as a charm of protection for babies in Latin-Caribbean communities.

Hamsa (aka khamsa, Hand of Fatima or Hand of Miriam) — The Hamsa is an amulet against the evil eye in Christian, Muslim and Jewish culture. The“hamsa” (literally 'five' in Arabic) is a hand with five outstretched fingers and an eye in the center of the palm.

Why does the hand have two thumbs? The House promises to research that point, but for now the answer is “symmetry.”

Should the hand face up or down? It depends on what you desire. Facing up, it has apotropaic properties, meaning that it protects against evil. Facing down, it invites abundance, fertility and answers to your prayers. This blog post does a great job of explaining the origins and meaning of the hamsa.

Hand of Glory — Last but not least, the Hand of Glory is the preserved hand of a man that has been hanged. Various grimoires explain that the best way to pickle a hand is in an earthenware jar with salt, saltpeter and long peppers. The hand is then placed in the sun or in an oven to dry. Thus prepared, hands of glory can be used to hold candles rendered from dead men’s fat, and while the hand is being used in this manner, it is said to have magickal properties.

And for those who are still curious about hands, pop over to The Bonheur Blog, where you can read about the “Vulcan Salute” and compare the use of gestures of benediction in Judaism and Christianity.