Western & Southern Europe · Spain, Portugal and Brazil · Against envy
Figa
A small closed hand with the thumb pushed between two fingers, worn in Spain and Portugal against the evil eye, and carried on to Brazil. The V&A holds a 19th-century Spanish one. Made with a real hand, the gesture can be rude.A Spanish figa at the V&ASpain, 19th centuryThe Victoria and Albert Museum in London holds a 19th-century Spanish figa, carved in coral and made against the evil eye. The hand sign it shows is much older than the charm: it goes back to the Roman manus fica.Source: V&A, coral figa (Spain, 19th century) ↗
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