You pronounce Hamsa as "HAM-sah," with the emphasis on the first syllable, sounding like "ham" (as in the meat) followed by "sa" (rhyming with "ha"), though some regional variations might have a softer 'ch' sound at the beginning, like "cham-sa," but "HAM-sah" with a clear 'h' is widely accepted.
Asian language professor Monier Williams translates the term from Sanskrit as "a goose, gander, swan, flamingo (or other aquatic bird, considered as a bird of passage [migratory bird] ...)." The word is also used for a mythical or poetical bird with knowledge.
"Māma" pronunciation varies by language but generally involves two syllables, often meaning "mother," with the key being whether the 'a' sounds are long (like in Māori/Urdu) or the second is a short, neutral tone (like in Chinese) or stressed (like in Spanish "mamá"). In English, it's similar to "MAH-muh" or "MA-ma," but for languages like Chinese (妈妈 - māma), the first "ma" is high-pitched, and the second is short and neutral.
The Hamsa, or the Hand of Fatima, is a symbolic hand which represents protection in both Jewish and Islamic cultures. Relating to Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet Mohammed (the founder of Islam), and Miriam, the sister of Moses, this symbol directly correlates back to various religions and cultures.
Often, Hamsas are simply worn on an everyday basis for constant protection. Even for those who hold no superstition or spiritual beliefs, Hamsa jewelry is still a popular choice as a symbol of cultural identity, especially for Sephardic or Mizrahi Jews.
Index finger in Islam
It is used to express the unity of God ("there is no god but God"). In Arabic, the index or fore finger is called musabbiḥa (مُسَبِّحة), mostly used with the definite article: al-musabbiḥa (الْمُسَبِّحة). Sometimes also as-sabbāḥa (السَّبّاحة) is used.
The notion of a protective hand has been present in Judaism dating back to Biblical times, where it is referenced in Deuteronomy 5:15, stated in the Ten Commandments as the "strong hand" of God who led the Hebrews out of Egypt. The hamsa is later seen in Jewish art as God's hand reaching down from heaven.
Whether for yourself or as a thoughtful gift for someone special, the Hamsa is a timeless symbol of love, protection, and good fortune. Embrace its power, wear it with pride, and let it guide you on a path of peace and positivity.
Many Muslims around the globe believe in wearing Hamsa Hand or evil eye bracelets for protection against bad luck and negative energies.
The current name for the symbol of five extended fingers is hamsa or sometimes hamza. These spellings are derived from the Arabic word meaning 'five' and 'the five fingers of the hand'.
Position it on your wrist where it feels most comfortable and visible, ensuring its detailed design is showcased. For a touch of sophistication, a gold hamsa bracelet worn on your dominant hand can serve as a striking focal point, effortlessly catching the light and drawing eyes to its intricate beauty.
To say the same in French, you use le/la même or les mêmes depending on the noun it refers to. Note that it has to agree in gender (le/la) and number (les mêmes) with the object it refers to. Oh, tu as les mêmes chaussures que Noémie !
The French word for grandmother is grandmère but often the nickname mémé is used.
Māori swear words, or kanga, often derive from insults about body parts or actions, with strong examples including Pōkokōhua (boiled head, a strong curse), Pokotiwha, and Pōpō, though context is key, as many terms are neutral in isolation but become offensive when combined or used aggressively, expressing anger or contempt. While Te Reo Māori has ways to express outrage, it's less about specific "bad words" and more about the powerful combination of words, similar to English.
It's "Kia ora" (two words), a common Māori greeting in New Zealand meaning "hello," "be well," or "thank you," wishing life and health; while often pronounced as one word (kee-OR-ah), it's grammatically two separate words, with the capitalization usually seen as a courtesy or automatic formatting. Use it as a warm, all-purpose greeting or sign-off in informal situations.
'Mam' is popular in Munster , 'Mum' is top in Ulster, and some Dubliners love their 'Ma' "Mam" is the most popular form of address for mothers in Ireland.
After defecating, the anus must be washed with water using the left hand, or an odd number of smooth stones or pebbles called jamrah or hijaarah (Sahih Al-Bukhari 161, Book 4, Hadith 27). Many jurists agree that toilet paper suffices in place of these stones.
👉👈 — Shy, nervous (usually in the context of flirting)
The gesture was devised by Star Trek actor Leonard Nimoy as a salute for the alien Vulcan species, and is popular within the science fiction fandom and nerd culture. The blessing phrase "live long and prosper" (written by Theodore Sturgeon) is frequently spoken alongside it.