Mano Figa Protective Necklace

Ward off evil with this sterling silver mano figa pendant.

The gesture of the thumb protruded between the pointer finger and middle finger has a variety of different meanings dating back nearly 8,000 years. The specific symbolism that gave rise to the charm that we refer to as a Mano Figa (fig hand, properly, ‘mano fica’) originated in Etruscan Italy.

The Mano Figa is an ancient fertility symbol, with variations spanning thousands of years across cultures. An ancient representation of sexual union, it’s commonly considered an “obscene” gesture and is used most frequently as a slang reference to female genitalia. The name derives from the Italian word for the female vulva, fica, meaning fig. It's also commonly used to ward off the evil eye, insult someone, or deny a request.

In ancient times, it was worn as an incantation to The Goddess, a call for fertility, virility and good times. Because the gesture carries such an array of meaning, it's easy to give it the significance you choose.

Hand carved in wax and cast in sterling silver, these hands add a sweet little touch to your everyday jewelry collection.