I first discovered the Mano Figa when I received a charm collection from my Great Aunt Margaret. Margaret was a strong woman ahead of her time and she widely traveled the world. She collected charms from her travels and going through her collection, I discovered a gold Mano Figa charm. I have always been fascinated by the symbology and use of hands in jewelry and in decorative objects in general, so this charm really captured my attention. I started wearing it on a chain on its own as a good luck charm. Later, I had this particular charm and some of my other favorites from my Great Aunt’s collection made into a charm necklace. Researching the meaning behind these charms from Margaret’s travels delighted me and I started my own collection of vintage and antique pieces. This is what eventually led to me start Thistle & Bess, which began as an Etsy shop specifically selling vintage and antique jewelry. Mano Figas were one of my favorite things to search for and sell in our shop. It seemed fitting as we celebrate our 5 year anniversary and launch our own jewelry line that the Mano Figa Charm be our very first piece. The one that we created is based directly on the vintage charm that my Great Aunt collected on her travels to Sicily.
I wear my Mano Figa as a symbol of female power and strength and as a talisman for good luck and protection. The cheeky side of me also really enjoys that some cultures view this as an obscene gesture as well. I hope that you wear it in strength and prosperity.
