My favorite souvenirs are items that carry significance in the local culture. In Morocco, these are known as the hand of Fatima, named after Muhammad's daughter. In the rest of the Arabic world, they are known as hamsa (or khamsa), which literally means “five” but can also mean “the five fingers of the hand”. The hamsa is a lucky charm of sorts, believed to provide protection against the evil eye. The exact origins of this symbol are unknown, but some Mesopotamian artifacts contained the image of an open right hand. At some point the symbol was also incorporated into Jewish culture where it is known as the hand of Miriam, for the sister of Moses and Aaron.