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" <[email protected]> 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 --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Follow the confirmation directions when they arrive. For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership." -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
