Khamsa – Moroccan Good Luck Hands

Good luck! Create a Moroccan good luck hand or Khamsa using Crayola® markers in fun, new ways.

• 1.

  Khamsa’s are hand-shaped good luck charms. They originated in Morocco and have spread across a number of neighboring cultures. The word "khamsa" means five in Arabic, and refers to the five fingers in a hand.

• 2.

  Khamsas are typically made of metal and may incorporate intricate designs and precious stones or gems. Look at pictures of khamsa jewelry and art. What images are commonly incorporated?

• 3.

  Create a khamsa by tracing your hand with the fingers slightly spread apart on a piece of construction paper. Use scissors to cut out the hand shape.

• 4.

  Use a colored pencil to lightly sketch a design on the hand. Be sure your design incorporates some traditional shapes and patterns.

• 5.

  Use a marker to trace over the design. Add interest to your project by using thick and thin marker lines. Make thick lines by drawing with the side of the marker and thin lines by drawing with the tip. Create different effects by drawing squiggly, jagged,

Benefits

• Students research Khamsa, the Moroccan good luck hand symbol.
• Students observe different designs used in Khamsa and discuss the shapes and patterns.
• Students create an individual Khamsa using a variety of marker techniques.

Adaptations

• Make your Khamsa look more realistic by painting the construction paper silver and embellishing the design with sequins and beads.
• Research the varied geography of Morocco - from the fertile coastal regions to the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara desert.
• Explore the diverse art of Morocco. Learn about traditional wood, ceramic and textile arts.
• Learn to count to five in Arabic. You have already learned khamsa or five as part of this lesson.