A rose tattooed in a prominent place is a sign that you are happy in love. Traditionally, this rose is red or pink. A black rose means the loss of a loved one, and a rose with an abundance of thorns means unhappy love.

2. Butterfly

The most wonderful transformation in nature occurs precisely with butterflies: from a caterpillar to a beautiful fluttering creature. A butterfly tattoo indicates that a person is ready for serious work on himself and changes that will lead him to a dream.

Popular

3. Sakura

A sakura flower tattoo in Japan is interpreted unambiguously: you are free and open to new relationships. Sakura is a symbol of sexuality and emancipation, inner strength and fortitude.

4. Ladybug

All over the world, the ladybug symbolizes good luck. Such a tattoo is suitable for those who hope for the best and ... want to get rich: in terms of symbolism, the ladybug attracts money.

5. Angel wings

This amulet tattoo: it is believed that in this way you attract the attention of a guardian angel, who will now always be with you.

6. Lotus

The sacred flower means that you are under the protection of higher powers and have direct contact with the Universe. An excellent choice for fans of Buddhism and supporters of the theory of reincarnation.

7. Hummingbird

A rare version of a tattoo, symbolizing perseverance, incredible vitality and the ability to withstand any blows of fate.

8. Hearts

Contrary to the seemingly obvious meaning, a heart-shaped tattoo means youth, naivety, spiritual purity, innocence and sincerity.

9. Sprockets

Five-pointed stars mean inner harmony, unity with nature and its elements, in particular, many connoisseurs of symbolism make a tattoo of four five-pointed stars as a sign of the four elements: water, fire, air and earth.

10. Sun and moon

The sun is a symbol of a man, the moon is a woman. A double tattoo symbolizes unity, complement, harmony, to which its owner aspires.

11. Dandelion

A dandelion with flying umbrellas is a symbol of the transience of life, such a tattoo suggests that a person appreciates every moment of his life.

12. Arrows and arrows

Only forward! An arrow or arrow tattoo speaks of dedication and ambition.

13. Anchor

Consistency, stability, reliability: the anchor symbolizes a self-confident person who knows exactly what he wants.

14. Giraffe

An exotic version that symbolizes the desire of the owner of such a tattoo to reach all conceivable heights.

15. Snowflake

As there are no two identical snowflakes in the world, the owner of such a tattoo emphasizes her individuality and uniqueness.

16. Key

Curiosity and spontaneity are the secret meaning of a key tattoo. All doors will open for such a person!

17. Dragonfly

Grace, fragility and elusiveness: a dragonfly will give out a subtle nature in you.

18. Diamond

Durability, versatility and high self-esteem: for these girls, a diamond is the perfect choice.

19. Swallow

This bird was of particular importance for sailors: you see a swallow - it’s not far from the ground. The symbolism of this tattoo is similar to the original one: a swallow means hope, affection for loved ones and a kind soul.

20. Crown

Born Leaders! However, in addition to ambition, the crown symbolizes self-control and a high degree of responsibility.

21. Frog

Frogs live both in water and on land, and in Eastern symbolism they mean high adaptability and good luck.

22. Cherry

A single berry is considered a symbol of purity and purity, and a steam room is considered a symbol of strong affection for a partner.

23. Compass

In the sea of ​​life currents, this person will choose the most correct path to the goal. Courage, passion for adventure and self-confidence - this is what a compass tattoo means.

24. Clover

The almost uncommon four-leaf clover is a symbol of belief in miracles, the supernatural and magic.

Hamsa is a symbol of patience and faith.

The amulet of the Hand of Fatima is also known in Islamic communities as Hamsa, and in Jewish tradition as the Hand of Miriam or Palm of Hamesh. The hand of Fatima is an ancient talisman that protects against the evil eye, in the form of a palm with three raised fingers and two symmetrical thumbs on the sides. In general, the hand is a symbol of leadership, management, the personification of the right path, which also acts as a kind of attribute of the image of Fortune. The symbolism of the fingers on the hand can be considered in the context of numerical symbolism. Traditionally, the number five is associated with a person - it is an image of the human body, with its head and four limbs, as well as with its health and well-being.

In Egypt, Hamsa is very popular among various amulets for warding off the evil eye. This amulet symbolizes blessing, strength and power, therefore it is considered as a powerful talisman against the evil eye. The hand of Fatima is the most common jewelry motif in the eastern region. It is customary to hang this talisman at the entrance to the house, in the car and in other places to protect yourself and family members from the evil eye.

Hamsa received the name "Hand of Fatima" after the only daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, with whose name many miracles are associated. They say that once Fatima was cooking food on the fire, stirring it with a spoon, at this time Ali's husband brought a new wife into the house. Fatima, heartbroken, dropped the spoon from surprise, but continued to stir the food with her hand, feeling no pain. Since then, the hand of Fatima has become a symbol of patience and faith.

Often other symbols are placed in the center of this amulet, which also protect against the evil eye - the image of a fish, an eye or the Star of David. Muslims believe that blue also protects against the evil eye, so most often hamsas are made of this color or decorated with semiprecious stones of various shades, from blue to turquoise. In Judaism, the Ruka Miriam amulet is often decorated with prayers for protection, such as Birkat ha-Bayt (blessing of the dwelling) or Tfilat ha-Derekh (prayer of travelers).

Women especially love this amulet. In Turkey, it is believed that the Hand of Fatima on the necklace brings luck, abundance and patience to women.

This amulet is also popular among Jews. These people believe that the five fingers of the Hamsa amulet always remind a person to use their five senses to glorify God.

In the East, women most often wear the Hamsa amulet on a necklace, and in Russia it is used as a decorative element in houses, on doors, on key chains, and the Hamsa is especially quickly gaining popularity as an amulet in baby carriages.

Many painters and sculptors use the image of Hams in various aspects of their art - paintings, sculptures, wall decorations and amulets.

It turns out that some Jewish activists of the struggle for peace in the Middle East are also using the Hamsa. They wear the Hand of Fatima amulet as a symbol of the traditions of the Jewish faith. Activists supporting the peaceful settlement of the Israeli conflict believe that wearing this amulet underlines the similarities between Judaism and other religions, and the common origins of religions. Consequently, Jews wear the amulet as a gesture of goodwill for hope, peace and prosperity.

Beautiful amulet Hand of Fatima, not only removes the evil eye. It brings happiness to its owner, as well as strength, prosperity, nobility and understanding from friends and rivals. This talisman protects a person from the malevolent actions of others. Take Hamsa to your house, and she will fulfill the most secret desires of the household, and also protect her "master" from any misfortune. We especially advise you to purchase this talisman for couples in love and happy in marriage, as it is not only able to protect the union from envious people, but also awakens desire, enhances feelings and preserves them for many years.

2. Another symbol depicts a bird turning to catch its lost egg. This is a sign of return, which says that it is never too late to turn around and take a new path if you admit your mistake. The second meaning of this sign is based on the following Ashanti proverb: "Look at your past and you will know the future."

4. Symbol of protection and courage.

7. The symbol represents the purity of the soul. This is a sign of spirituality.

9. This sign symbolizes fearlessness and courage, indicates endurance, even if undesirable circumstances arise that complicate the path of life. At the top of the figure, the lines become less frequent, which means that if you confidently walk along the path once chosen, the difficulties will decrease.

11. The badge represents a high honor in the field of Ashanti culture and may be awarded for outstanding merit.

13. This is a sign of mutual responsibility, it personifies cooperation, but at the same time everyone has the right to individuality.

15. This sign should remind you that a serious expression inevitably leads to anger and anger.

17. The stylized hairstyle of the hero symbolizes courage and fearlessness.

19. Motive depicting a sense of duty.

21. The moon and stars symbolize qualities such as loyalty, compassion and trust.

23. Two crossed crocodiles remind of unity in diversity. We are talking here about one of the signs common in Ghana, which calls for solidarity and tolerance.
Another meaning of this figure suggests that one head cannot decide for all.

25. This symbol is directed to the four cardinal points, it indicates strength, endurance and confidence.

27. Generosity, steadfastness and conscientiousness are expressed in this form.

29. Stylized motive for a solid, well-ventilated home.

31. A handful of kola nuts, which symbolize prosperity and abundance.

33. The stylized hairstyle of the servant of the queen-mother symbolizes the willingness to serve.

36. A sign of the invincibility and strength of society, associated with the following saying: “The whisk is bound by the bonds of blood, devotion and care of one for all. Clothes made of many colors, sewn as a sign, as a power. He who is always separated from others may lose his strength, and his beauty will be fragmented and incomplete. "
38. The simplified image of handcuffs reminds that the law stands above a person.

40. This sign embodies such qualities as vigilance, resourcefulness and joy.

43. This motive combines virtues such as justice and honesty.

45. This sign represents intelligence and cunning.

47. The stars remind: "We are all God's children."

49. The sign tells about wisdom, about understanding the relationship of things in the universe. It also indicates cautious behavior.

51. With the help of this sign, they show the firmness and strength of the hero, confident in himself.

53. Simplified image of a drum. It can be a military drum or a drum that announces the time. In ancient times, Ashanti's time was determined by the length of its own body, and in some places it was reported by a drum beat.

55. Symbolic image of the conflict as a warning against hypocrisy and falsehood.

57. Executioner's knife in a simplified image.

59. Union with God and trust in divine leadership.

61. This symbol reminds that the future is built on the past.

62. A sign of perseverance and readiness.

Hamsa is an ancient talisman, an amulet that protects against the evil eye, it is the “hand of protection” or “Hand of God”. Note that, in general, a talisman is an object that carries magical symbols. Its purpose is to protect its master or endow him with supernatural powers. The very same word "talisman", which goes back to the Greek root "teleo", means "to achieve, complete, put into action."

Hamsa is a stylized image of a hand. But this is not an anatomical copy of the palm, but three raised fingers in the middle with two symmetrical thumbs on the sides.

The origin of the hamsa, as a hand that averts the evil eye, as a symbol of blessing, good luck and happiness, is unknown. This motif is found everywhere - in Asia, in Africa, in America, but more often the symbol is perceived as an oriental, the name of which in both Arabic and Semitic goes back to the concept of "five".

The Arabs consider the hamsa as their own, call it “the hand of Fatima,” the only daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, and paint a Muslim crescent on it. They say that once Fatima was cooking sweets in the garden, stirring halva over the fire, and her husband Ali entered the house with a new, second, wife. Fatima, struck in the heart, dropped the spoon and continued stirring the hot halva with her hand, not noticing the pain. Since then, her hand has become a symbol of patience. Hamsa is also considered a symbol of the five pillars of Islam: faith, prayer, pilgrimage, fasting, mercy.

The Jews, in relation to the hamsa, also claim the primacy and call it “the hand of Miriam,” the sisters of Moses and Aaron. The "All-Seeing Eye" in the center of the palm is the embodiment of the Providence of God.

In Judaism, it is also known as "YAD HA-HAMESH" ("Hand-five"), and it is associated with the five books of the Torah, and therefore is often decorated with protective prayers, such as "Shema Yisrael", "Birkat ha-Bayt" (blessing dwellings) or "Tfilat ha-Derekh" (prayer of travelers).

The palm-shaped amulet symbolizes the letter "Het" - the fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. "Chet", which is also one of the sacred names of God, corresponds to number 5. Many Jews believe that the five fingers of the hamsa remind its owner of the need to use all five senses to glorify the Almighty. "Chet", like "hi", also means "life". Here we can trace a connection with the Ukrainian "hi zhive". And the expression "raised high" means that life is in full swing.

In addition, the number five is traditionally associated with a person - it is an image of a human body with four limbs and a head, with its health and well-being. (An interesting addition: the Russian name for the small fish is "hamsa" - from the same root "five", it is caught in a net with a 5 mm mesh).

A raised palm greeting meant a wish for a good life in Palestine. Roman soldiers borrowed this greeting from the Palestinians, and Mussolini revived it.

In general, images of a hand, an eye or the number five in Arab and Berber traditions are associated with averting the evil eye, damage, as explained in the expression - khamsa fi ainek (“five in your eye”) - “five fingers in your eye!”. Another formula against the evil eye in Arabic is khamsa wa-khamis.

The Phoenicians associated Hamsa with the "hand of Tanit", the wife of Baal or the Lord, the moon goddess, the patroness of Carthage.

In Cyprus, she was associated with Aphrodite.

This symbol was popular both in Ancient Egypt (the hand of Atut provided fertility, helped to leave the body of the creator god of men and women), and in today's Morocco.

And if we turn to Jainism - one of the ancient Indian philosophical teachings that arose in the 6th century BC, then we will also see a slightly changed hamsa - in the emblem of Jainism, the image of an open palm expresses the idea of ​​non-violence, ahimsa.

And here is what is reported in the "Encyclopedia of Signs and Symbols":

Hand is a symbol of management, leadership; the personification of safety and the right path, It acts as one of the attributes of the allegorical image of Fortune.

Associated with the symbolism of power, domination; personifies strength, loyalty. The initial meanings of this image are associated with the personification of protection, power; it is then used to express trust, friendliness, devotion and patronage.

In the Indo-Iranian tradition, the epithet "long-handed" arose, which had a pronounced religious meaning. It was compulsorily attached to rulers and even gods. Dolgoruky means able to stretch out his hand for protection, patronage and healing: this is an epithet of Vishnu, Mithra, Varuna, the heroes of the epic; Zarathushtra was called long-handed. From here comes the naming of the ancient Russian princely family. In Hebrew, one word means both "power" and "hand".

In heraldry and emblems, a hand emerging from the clouds signifies divine providence; it is the hand of God the Father. One of the regalia of medieval rulers was the “hand of justice”.

In Japanese Buddhism, the thousand-armed Kannon becomes an image of all-encompassing compassion and help. In general, the presence of many hands of the gods conveys their various aspects and functions.

Often, different meanings are assigned to the right and left hands. In the biblical tradition, it was believed that for blessing God is the right hand, and for punishment - the left.

Let's return, in fact, to the hamsa ... As a separate amulet (keychain or pendant), the hamsa can be worn with your fingers both up and down. It is believed that attached to a red "kabbalistic" thread, it has more power.

Hamsa can also be an element of decor - costume or furniture; it is executed in the form of wall images, made of metal, ceramics and other materials.

It is believed that the blue or blue color of the hamsa is better protected from the evil eye, therefore we often see amulets of this exact color or decorated with semiprecious stones of different shades - from blue to turquoise.

Often in the center of the hamsa other symbols are placed - protecting from the evil eye, ensuring good luck: images of fish, a magic square (4x6), the Star of David, a month or an onion, as the symbol of the Moon among the Egyptians (after all, its halves in the cut resemble the Moon in different phases).

And yet, the hamsa with an eye is most often encountered, which in ancient Egyptian was called the "Holy Eye of Horus (God of Heaven)". In such an amulet, a double, and therefore the most effective, symbol of the best human existence is embodied - it combines omniscience and omnipotence. Here we also note the color - it is the blue Eye that is considered the best shield against curse and evil eye.

In ancient Egypt, it could be found everywhere: carved on sarcophagi, steles, sides of boats ... Then it was believed that Ureus, or a snake, located on the bridge of the king's nose as a "burning Eye", is capable of scattering all opponents. Note, however, that there is some difference between the right and left divine Eye. So the left (lunar) Eye, in fact, was the Eye of Horus, or the Eye of Healing, while the right Eye (solar, Urey) was more associated with magic and protection.

For Native Americans, according to some assumptions, the eye in the hand symbolized the ability of foresight. Almost 50 years ago, anthropologist Clarence Moore drew attention to the presence of the "symbol of open eyes in the palm" in both Mexico and the southeastern United States.

In Buddhism, it is a symbol of compassionate wisdom. Here, Tara, the bodhisattva and goddess of compassion, is addressed as the embodiment of all the enlightened ones, as a consoler and protector, showing mercy and love to all beings, comparable to a mother's care for her children. In the images of Green Tara, we see her left hand at chest level in a gesture of protection (abhaya mudra), with the Eye in the center of the palm. And the "All-Seeing Protector" amulet is still used in Tibet to drive out fear and oppression.

And in conclusion, we present the protective "Prayer of Hamsa":

Let no sadness come through this gate, - Let no sadness come through this gate,
Let no trouble come to these walls, - Let no trouble come to these walls,
Let no conflict be in this place, - Let there be no conflict in this place,
Let this home be filled with the blessing of joy and peace - Let this home be filled with the joy of blessing and peace.

SYMBOL OF PATIENCE

The Karoo Desert is widespread in southern Africa. The scorching reddish soil of the desert looks like a hard concrete cover. It is hard to believe that any plant is capable of breaking through this seemingly insurmountable obstacle. Well, if something alive somehow gets out to the surface, I think it won't last even a few hours here. But no! In some places, lonely bizarre plants loom against the reddish background of the desert landscape. Almost twelve meters in height, unusual trees with thick, reddish, like the soil, trunks, they grow for decades in this lava-hot environment. Their branches are bare, leafless, almost unbranched. Only the ends are decorated with bunches of long, narrow, but fleshy and juicy leaves.

You look at this brave conqueror of the desert and think: how can such a hero, hardened in trials, not endure anything? Unless he will not resist the cold northern snows and severe frosts. It turns out that he perfectly tolerates our far from tropical climate, faithfully carries his service in our seemingly alien lands.

It is difficult to establish who and when first brought to us a greenish-gray leaf of this original inhabitant of sultry Africa, but you can now meet his numerous descendants in almost any apartment. Here, of course, not the heroes of the distant southern desert will appear before you, but only small indoor plants with fleshy green stems and thick leaves, all studded with thorns. However, this is still the same brave conqueror of the desert, now taking over from us the additional mission of a home doctor. They call it aloe. If aloe had to give up its appearance, then it retained its amazing healing properties in new conditions.

As a remedy, aloe was known to the ancient Greeks 2500 years ago. For a long time they were forced to pay fabulous sums for its leaves. On the advice of the philosopher Aristotle, Alexander the Great specially organized a military campaign and conquered the island of Socotra, where aloe has long been successfully grown. To maintain and develop the culture of aloe, the island had to be populated by Greeks, and the natives were turned into slaves. Since then, aloe has been gradually spreading in Europe, including as a salable medicinal product. Aloe has long been worshiped in Egypt, China, India. This plant was especially highly appreciated by the Arabs, who considered it a symbol of patience due to its ability to remain without water for a long time.

The main value of aloe is the thickened and hardened juice of its leaves - sabur (from the Arabic "sabr" - patience). Sabur is known in medical practice as a laxative used in the form of infusions, extracts, pills. In small doses, it is used to stimulate appetite and to improve digestion. In our medical institutions, aloe is also used for burns, the treatment of ulcers and wounds that do not heal for a long time, and many eye diseases. Academician V.P. Filatov brilliantly used aloe in the field of tissue therapy, who introduced into medical practice a preparation from the leaves of this healing plant.

In its homeland, the aloe tree blooms annually with orange-reddish flowers, collected in beautiful compact panicles. Considering the structure of the flower, botanists attributed aloe to the lily family. Its flowers are very fragrant and, after pollination, form small black-brown fruits with large, maple-like lionfish. Desert winds pick them up and carry them away from their mother trees. The seeds are quite unpretentious, germinate in desert conditions, but aloe reproduces well vegetatively: side shoots and cuttings, branches and even leaves.

In our indoor conditions, aloe rarely blooms, under especially favorable conditions, and does not form fruits at all. Hence its second name - agave: that is, it grows for 100 years, but does not bloom and does not bear fruit. An interesting experience of growing aloe was carried out by the agronomist Spiridonova in Sukhumi. The plant planted in a box grew on her in the summer in the open air, and in the winter on an unheated glass veranda. In the 17th year, the tree first delighted the hostess: in December, yellowish-red tubular flowers appeared on the central stem. They reached full bloom in January. Since then, aloe blooms every winter and has already risen in height by more than 3 meters.

In addition to tree aloe, as botanists call the most common species of this plant in our country, about 200 more species and forms are known in its homeland. Some of them have established themselves not only as medicinal plants, but also as fodder and fibrous plants. Durable and soft carpets, burlap, nautical ropes are made from the fibers of the latter.

In our area, in addition to the tree aloe, only three or four species close to it grow, but a small family of distant African settlers has spread with us more than any other indoor plants. In the humid subtropics of the Caucasus (Adjara), aloe can also be found in open ground on plantations of medicinal plants. 5-15 tons of fresh healing leaves are harvested here annually from each hectare.

At the All-Union Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, a new therapeutic agent has been obtained from aloe - its emulsion. It helps well in a number of diseases, primarily in the prevention and treatment of radiation damage to the skin. The drug completely relieves pain from areas of the skin that have been deliberately exposed to X-rays and other radiation. Who knows how many still undiscovered healing substances are hidden in the fleshy stems and leaves of this native of the distant desert?