Pattern

Woman's head shawl (ta'jira)

This beautiful shawl was worn over a woman's head. First the cloth was woven on a loom, then it was dyed, and finally bright patterns were embroidered in coloured thread. The shawl carries a message of prosperity (wealth), fertility (many children) and safety.

Growing up the centre of the shawl is the lucky 'Tree of life' with lucky birds sitting in its branches. Above the tree is a five-pointed 'Hand of Fatimah', which provides protection against the 'evil eye', when people look at you enviously and bring you bad luck. On the left, corn means wealth, and a lucky fish also protects against the evil eye.