Depending upon the faith of the owner, a hamsa amulet is either The Hand of Fatima(Muslim), The Hand of Miriam (Jewish) or The Hand of God (Christian), although the icon predates monotheism. "Hamsa" means "five" in Arabic (like 'hamesh' in Hebrew) and the five fingers are reminders of the five pillars of Islam or the five senses of man. The eye guards against the "evil eye," an ancient curse in Arabia, while the open palm represents blessing and providence. Hamsas are usually placed near the doorway of a home to protect it and its occupants from any evil that might cross the threshold, although you can see them around people's necks, in cars, and in any room of the home that might need a little luck.
What I find most interesting is that the superstition was so strong the Jewish mystics in the Upper Galilee took up the tradition from their Arab neighbors. The Hand of Fatima became The Hand of Miriam and the symbolism of five reinterpreted to mean the five books of the Torah.
Today, the hamsa is so en vogue it's impossible to miss in the Jewish Friday craft fairs and Saturday Arab markets. From Wikipedia: "In Israel today, it is a trendy symbol that has become 'an icon of Israeliness and secularity'." The hamsa has been in the background of our own Israeli experience. When we came here in February our apartment was graced with a malfunctioning doorbell in the shape of a hamsa (we did not recognize it at the time). Upon planning our departure from Israel we were presented with one as a good-bye gift. We've probably seen more hamsas than mezuzahs!
Perhaps it isn't so amazing that people from two strong monotheistic religions with no visible representation of God have agreed on this icon of "His" protection. While the great invisible gods Yahweh and Allah remain in conflict, people embrace luck or fortune to keep them safe. In a land of high risk, it doesn't hurt to be lucky.
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