In Islam the story tells us about the daughter of Muhammad, Fatima, who was in the middle of preparing food and was surprised by the early return of her husband Prophet Ali one day. His unexpected return was due to the arrival of a gorgeous, young concubine. Fatima was deeply hurt but kept her cool and continued preparing the family meal. She was preparing Halva, a traditional sweet dish made with sesame seeds, on a hot frying plan and influenced by the sight of her husband and the new arrival used her hand to stir absent mindedly.

Fatima's hand became a symbol in the Muslim world and Middle East. For hundreds of years the Hand of Fatima was worn as the symbol for loyalty and forbearance. Hamsa necklaces and Hamsa bracelets are used to bring good luck and protection to the owners. Some sources link the significance of the five fingers to the Five Pillars of Islam, the core principles of Sunni Islamic faith, though this significance may have been attributed after the fact to a symbol that was around well before Islam.

In recent years some peace activists in the Middle East have chosen to wear the Hamsa as a symbol of the similarities of origins and tradition between the Islamic and Jewish faiths.

So much is dependent upon the existence of the sun, its symbolic meanings are endless. Primarily, the sun is a symbol of expansion, growth, energy, and creativity. Rising the sun is a symbol of new beginings, setting indicates and ending or transition and mid-day indicates going full force in creative endeavors.

The Sun Symbol is found in all cultures throughout history. Considered by most peoples as a cosmic power, it’s not surprising we see the sun emblazed upon countless artifacts and writings. Ancient Chinese culture recognized the sun as the Great Male Principle – the ultimate Yang. These symbolically appreciative people also personified the sun as a cosmic eye viewing out upon its dominion during the day.

      Alchemically, the sun is sol and is esoterically symbolic of the mind or intellect. Gold is      considered the material of the sun in outwardly symbolic practices of alchemy.

The planetary sign of the sun (a circle with a dot in the center) is also an alchemical symbol of origin signifying completion of the Great Work. Furthermore, this sun symbol represents the Self in its relation to the cosmic whole.

     This is also the case in astrology where the sun is symbolic of the Self that is expressed outwardly  the self that shines openly to our friends, family, co-workers, etc. The sun position at our time of birth gives special illumination as to our characteristics. It's as if the sun shines upon our symbolic selves and makes us most visible to the world

In Christianity the sun is the house of Archangel Michael (Gabriel lives within the moon), and is also a symbol of the Christ, or Christ-like attributes. In ancient Egypt the sun is associated with the Horus, Ra and Osiris. Horus represents the rising sun, Osiris the setting sun, and Ra represents the sun’s zenith. Again we see the sun symbolism in association with eyes or vision as the sun is the eye of Zeus in Greek mythology. Likewise, in Hindu mythology the sun is the eye of Varuna, and is also considered the “divine rejuvenator.”

The sun resonates with male energy in most cultures. However, Celtic perspective places feminine power within the sun’s rays. Likewise, ancient African, Japanese, Germanic, and some Native American tribes all hold the sun as a feminine energy. Animals can also be considered as sun symbols. For example, the eagle was a symbol of the sun rising in its glory and power over their cities. The tiger is the sun in its setting aspect

Our ancestors have long considered the sun as the center of humankind’s existence. Modern mankind tends to overlook this priority, and perhaps takes for granted the life-affirming essence the sun exemplifies.

Throughout nature we find a cavalcade of energetic counterparts: Light/Dark, Male/Female, Increase/Decrease, etc., and the moon takes her place in the balance as the counter part to the sun. The sun is symbolic of the fraternal (male, yang) aspect of guidance; and so logically the moon stoically stands as the maternal (female or yin) influence. More intriguing than gender, is the means by which the moon wields her force and influence. She is considered a luminary, but she produces no light of her own accord. She is reliant upon the sun’s light to reflect (mirror) her image to our earthly eyes. This method of projecting light makes the moon a symbol of subtlety. Clarity, reflection, and indirect deduction are gained by passive means. Where the sun will boldly bear down its blaze upon a given philosophical subject – the moon softly enfolds our attention – illumining our psyche in a gossamer glow that is more open to esoteric impressions.

Astrologically speaking the moon is ruler of the sign of Cancer and governs the realm of intuitive thinking as well as emotions. The moon is a symbolic soul mate to water, and shares this affinity with Cancer as we learn Cancer’s foundational element is water. In animal symbolism, the moon shares an association with water (and her influence over the tides) makes her matron of all sea creatures – specifically those with shell coverings. Her domain doesn’t stop at the sea however, because the moon is also queen of the night, her kingdom includes all nocturnal creatures too.

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