[AZORES-Genealogy] Re: Azorean Customs/ Jewelry

[Bibi]

Yes, this is an old Portuguese superstion. But I choose to believe the
the thumb postion on our babies is the sign of the cross. and not for
the evil eye doer's.  Although I know for a fact that there are
benzedaria all around the Azores islands... that's how they make their
money.

Bibi

On Sep 10, 2:44�pm, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> In a message dated 9/10/2008 5:15:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time,[EMAIL 
> PROTECTED] writes:
> > Attached (I hope) is a picture Liz C was trying to send through of the
> > jewelry.
> > Cheri
>
> Yep; that's it. My grandmother gave rach of her grandchildren a complete set
> at birth.
>
> John �

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[AZORES-Genealogy] Re: Azorean Customs/ Jewelry

[Marralha]

In a message dated 9/10/2008 5:15:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: 
> Attached (I hope) is a picture Liz C was trying to send through of the 
> jewelry.
> Cheri
> 
Yep; that's it. My grandmother gave rach of her grandchildren a complete set 
at birth.

John   

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[AZORES-Genealogy] Re: Azorean Customs/ Jewelry

[Cheri Mello]

Repost for Liz C at lizcarm24 at hotmail dot com:

Hi all,



My parents are from Pico.  I know people from various islands, the mainland
and Brazil who use the 'figa' charm.  It is indeed used to keep away 'bad
things'.  It is usually on a loop along with the horn, crescent moon and
what looks like the Star of David (Star of David has 6 points).  When I was
a kid people would ask me if I was Jewish because they thought it was a
Jewish symbol.  Apparently it is a version of the Seal of Solomon but it's
actually a pentagram (five points).  The five-pointed star is enclosed in a
circle, with one point up while standing on two points. The Pentagram was
originally used by the Gnostics who called it the Blazing Star.  Christians
knew it as a symbol of the Five Wounds of Christ during the Middle Ages. The
half moon was worn by ancients to safeguard against danger or evil eye. The
horn has evolved in looking like a pepper but it was supposed to emulate the
horn of an African elephant (someone mentioned lucky elephants).  The
crescent moon is an ancient symbol that was also used against evil eye.  It
was a common religious symbol of ancient Egypt but also of Assyria and
India.  The Hebrew maidens in the time of the prophet Isaiah wore
crescent-shaped ornaments on their head.  It is still used in various parts
of Europe an England.  This collection of 'good luck charms' is usually
given to an infant as a gift and pinned to their underclothes or put on a
bracelet.  I live in Toronto and all the Portuguese jewellery stores carry
this item.  I asked my aunt who just came back from Pico and she says they
still sell them there too.  I have attached a picture in case anyone wants
to see what it looks like – it might jog some memories.   I have also
attached a couple of web sites that give the explanation of the evil eye and
it's origin – I am glad I had the chance to explore.

Enjoy 



*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evil_eye*

*http://www.luckymojo.com/evileye.html*

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[AZORES-Genealogy] Re: Azorean Customs/ Jewelry

[augustae]

Mary, that's JUST like the one on our house in southern Spain, except that ours 
is brass; however the older houses do sometimes have painted ones...

Augusta
  - Original Message - 
  From: Mary Bordi 
  To: azores@googlegroups.com 
  Sent: Friday, 05 September, 2008 13:24 
  Subject: [AZORES-Genealogy] Re: Azorean Customs/ Jewelry



  On Sep 4, 2008, at 7:25 PM, augustae wrote:
Sharon... the Spanish have a version of that hand (not forearm, though, 
just 
from the wrist down), but holding a round ball... it's called the hand of 
Fatima (mano de Fatima). It's usually made of cast bronze or iron and is 
used as a door knocker.





  I took this photo of the door knocker in Guimarães or Braga (mainland 
Portugal). I know we were talking about jewelry, but someone mentioned the door 
knocker.  I didn't realize the connection with Fatima. Interesting!


  Mary Bordi



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[AZORES-Genealogy] Re: Azorean Customs/ Jewelry

[David]

The Spanish "mano de Fatima," it should be made clear, does not refer
to Nossa Senhora de Fatima but to Fatima/Fatimah, the favorite
daughter of Islam's Prophet Muhammad.  (For info on her see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatimah)  This stems from the time when
most of Iberia was under Muslim rule, the period of "Convivencia" when
Islam, Christianity, and Judaism coexisted (sometimes well, sometimes
less so) in Iberia.

The other posts referring to the thumb between the fingers are correct
that it is the "figa" (spelling not just phonetic but correct).  The
figa indeed is used to ward off curses, the "evil eye," etc.  It's a
tradition in Luso-Brazilian cultures, and is quite common even today
in Brazil, where one can easily buy carved wooden versions of the
figa.

David da Silva Cornell
Miami, FL

On Sep 4, 10:25�pm, "augustae" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Sharon... the Spanish have a version of that hand (not forearm, though, just
> from the wrist down), but holding a round ball... it's called the hand of
> Fatima (mano de Fatima). It's usually made of cast bronze or iron and is
> used as a door knocker.
>
> I'd be curious about any responses you get as my gggrandfather (b. 1816)
> came from Graciosa too (1840s).
>
> Augusta
>
>
>
>
>
> - Original Message -
> From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: "Azores Genealogy" 
> Sent: Thursday, 04 September, 2008 19:48
> Subject: [AZORES-Genealogy] Azorean Customs/ Jewelry
>
> > My grandmother, born on Graciosa Island, always wore around her neck a
> > gold Lady of Fatima holy medal, and a gold replica of a human forearm,
> > (left hand as I recall) with a fisted hand showing the thumb tucked
> > between the index and middle fingers. �Can any of the Azores listers
> > tell me what the Portuguese call that amulet? �What is the
> > significance of such an item in the Portuguese culture? �Is it unique
> > to the islanders?
> > Thanks!
> > Sharon
>
> ---�-
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
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> 6:54 PM- Hide quoted text -
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> - Show quoted text -

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[AZORES-Genealogy] Re: Azorean Customs/ Jewelry

[Mary Bordi]

On Sep 4, 2008, at 7:25 PM, augustae wrote:Sharon... the Spanish have a version of that hand (not forearm, though, just from the wrist down), but holding a round ball... it's called the hand of Fatima (mano de Fatima). It's usually made of cast bronze or iron and is used as a door knocker.I took this photo of the door knocker in Guimarães or Braga (mainland Portugal). I know we were talking about jewelry, but someone mentioned the door knocker.  I didn't realize the connection with Fatima. Interesting!Mary BordiDoor knocker in Portugal  

[AZORES-Genealogy] Re: Azorean Customs/ Jewelry

[Jason Fraga]

This was interesting I just found the following here:

http://bestofbahia.talkspot.com/aspx/templates/tuleSunset.aspx?msgid=76099

"The Figa (fee-gah) is a symbol of one of the age-old myths of Africa, this 
clenched-fist good-luck charm came to Brazil with its XVII century slave trade. 
As its memories paled over generations, belief in its powers to increase 
warriors' fertility also faded, but until nowadays it is prized by brazilians 
for luck, prosperity, and protection. Ranging from delicate earrings to 
meter-tall sculptures, Brazil's attractive figa may be carved from wood or 
stone, crafted from plain or precious metals, and even set with gems. The figa 
can be made into jewelry or sculptures (produced from plain wood or precious 
metals and gems), but the figa is now used purely for luck. The figa tradition 
is that to obtain luck from this symbol the figa must be received as a gift. 
They can be found in Bahia today worn as necklace by bahianas to complement 
their wardrobe or mounted in the home of a schoolteacher."
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[AZORES-Genealogy] Re: Azorean Customs/ Jewelry

[Jason Fraga]

Although I'm the third generation born in the US since our family came over (it 
was all of my great grandparents that came from the Azores 100+ years ago, I 
guess old customs and superstitions die hard.  I remember my Mother talking 
about things like the "quebranto" and how you didn't mess around with things 
like that.  My parents don't speak Portuguese, and things like the quebranto 
and the evil eye were still things that they were aware of from the old timers. 
I guess it's not surprising that the jewelery to protect against things like 
that are still around.

Jay






- Original Message - 
  From: Theresa Entin 
  To: Azores@googlegroups.com 
  Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 9:29 AM
  Subject: [AZORES-Genealogy] Re: Azorean Customs/ Jewelry


  Re: Figa

  I have a charm bracelet from the 1930's -1950's of my Jewish mother in laws.  
It has a gold figa on it along with other things, like my father in laws 
faternity pin, and a Jewish star.  

  My Portuguese mother had one in her jewelery box, that I now have.  I 
remember as a child seeing it in her drawer, but was not allowed to touch it.  
It seemed to have some sort of a secretive meaning at that time.Theresa
- Original Message - 
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
To: Azores@googlegroups.com 
Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2008 11:58 PM
    Subject: [AZORES-Genealogy] Re: Azorean Customs/ Jewelry


Hi Sharon,

I was always told the hand was given to children to ward away evil spirits. 
  I have had one since childhood  as do my daughters and grandaughters. The set 
that I have has a star and a moon also. The story goes that most newborns are 
born with their thumb between their first two fingers to  ward   away any 
curses that might befall them. I bought my latest set in Sao Miguel when I 
visited last year although most Ouriversarios (Portuguese jewelry shops) will 
have them. There are several sizes and they are not very expensive. 

   Joanne

  -- Original message -- 
  From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 

  > 
  > My grandmother, born on Graciosa Island, always wore around her neck a 
  > gold Lady of Fatima holy medal, and a gold replica of a human forearm, 
  > (left hand as I recall) with a fisted hand showing the thumb tucked 
  > between the index and middle fingers. Can any of the Azores listers 
  > tell me what the Portuguese call that amulet? What is the 
  > significance of such an item in the Portuguese culture? Is it unique 
  > to the islanders? 
  > Thanks! 
  > Sharon 
  > 
  > 

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[AZORES-Genealogy] Re: Azorean Customs/ Jewelry

[Theresa Entin]

Re: Figa

I have a charm bracelet from the 1930's -1950's of my Jewish mother in laws.  
It has a gold figa on it along with other things, like my father in laws 
faternity pin, and a Jewish star.  

My Portuguese mother had one in her jewelery box, that I now have.  I remember 
as a child seeing it in her drawer, but was not allowed to touch it.  It seemed 
to have some sort of a secretive meaning at that time.Theresa
  - Original Message - 
  From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
  To: Azores@googlegroups.com 
  Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2008 11:58 PM
  Subject: [AZORES-Genealogy] Re: Azorean Customs/ Jewelry


  Hi Sharon,

  I was always told the hand was given to children to ward away evil spirits.   
I have had one since childhood  as do my daughters and grandaughters. The set 
that I have has a star and a moon also. The story goes that most newborns are 
born with their thumb between their first two fingers to  ward   away any 
curses that might befall them. I bought my latest set in Sao Miguel when I 
visited last year although most Ouriversarios (Portuguese jewelry shops) will 
have them. There are several sizes and they are not very expensive. 

 Joanne

-- Original message -- 
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 

> 
> My grandmother, born on Graciosa Island, always wore around her neck a 
> gold Lady of Fatima holy medal, and a gold replica of a human forearm, 
> (left hand as I recall) with a fisted hand showing the thumb tucked 
> between the index and middle fingers. Can any of the Azores listers 
> tell me what the Portuguese call that amulet? What is the 
> significance of such an item in the Portuguese culture? Is it unique 
> to the islanders? 
> Thanks! 
> Sharon 
> 
>


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[AZORES-Genealogy] Re: Azorean Customs/ Jewelry

[jojo8765]

Hi Sharon,

I was always told the hand was given to children to ward away evil spirits.   I 
have had one since childhood  as do my daughters and grandaughters. The set 
that I have has a star and a moon also. The story goes that most newborns are 
born with their thumb between their first two fingers to  ward   away any 
curses that might befall them. I bought my latest set in Sao Miguel when I 
visited last year although most Ouriversarios (Portuguese jewelry shops) will 
have them. There are several sizes and they are not very expensive. 

   Joanne

-- Original message -- 
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 

> 
> My grandmother, born on Graciosa Island, always wore around her neck a 
> gold Lady of Fatima holy medal, and a gold replica of a human forearm, 
> (left hand as I recall) with a fisted hand showing the thumb tucked 
> between the index and middle fingers. Can any of the Azores listers 
> tell me what the Portuguese call that amulet? What is the 
> significance of such an item in the Portuguese culture? Is it unique 
> to the islanders? 
> Thanks! 
> Sharon 
> 
> > 
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[AZORES-Genealogy] Re: Azorean Customs/ Jewelry

[Cakemom102]

My children who have azorean godparents were all given the little hand when  
they were babies.  I was told it was called a "figa"  (that is a  phonetic 
spelling).  It is to ward of the evil eye and those who would try  to put a 
curse 
on you.  Anyone who has relatives born in the Azores knows  that there were 
and are a lot of superstitions.  It is believed that there  are people who will 
go up to a baby and say  how beautiful they  are and at same time place a 
curse on them that can only be removed  some  woman in the village with a 
special 
power.  This figa is somehow supposed  to protect them from that.  I guess it 
is supposed to work the same way for  adults also.  In a nutshell it is to 
keep a person safe from curses.
 
Mary Ann



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deal here.  
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[AZORES-Genealogy] Re: Azorean Customs/ Jewelry

[augustae]

Sharon... the Spanish have a version of that hand (not forearm, though, just 
from the wrist down), but holding a round ball... it's called the hand of 
Fatima (mano de Fatima). It's usually made of cast bronze or iron and is 
used as a door knocker.

I'd be curious about any responses you get as my gggrandfather (b. 1816) 
came from Graciosa too (1840s).

Augusta

- Original Message - 
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Azores Genealogy" 
Sent: Thursday, 04 September, 2008 19:48
Subject: [AZORES-Genealogy] Azorean Customs/ Jewelry


>
> My grandmother, born on Graciosa Island, always wore around her neck a
> gold Lady of Fatima holy medal, and a gold replica of a human forearm,
> (left hand as I recall) with a fisted hand showing the thumb tucked
> between the index and middle fingers.  Can any of the Azores listers
> tell me what the Portuguese call that amulet?  What is the
> significance of such an item in the Portuguese culture?  Is it unique
> to the islanders?
> Thanks!
> Sharon
>
> >






No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
Version: 8.0.169 / Virus Database: 270.6.16/1652 - Release Date: 9/4/2008 
6:54 PM


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[AZORES-Genealogy] Re: Azorean Customs/ Jewelry

[Cheri Mello]

Sharon,

I don't know about the forearm one.

Fatima is in Portugal the Virgin Mary appeared there in the 19teens.  I know
many Portuguese halls have a festa in honor of our Lady of Fatima.

-- 
Cheri Mello
Listowner, Azores-Gen
Researching: Vila Franca, Ponta Garca, Ribeira Quente, R. das Tainhas,
Achada

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