The hand-shaped door knockers of Île de Ré

While exploring the villages on France’s Southwest Atlantic coast, I saw lots of beautiful doors, many with interesting door knockers.  On the Île de Ré, the human hand seemed to be a theme, as every block had a few, cast in iron or brass, adorning the doors of homes.  The origin of the hand-shaped door knocker is a mystery.  Some say it is the hand of Fatima, there to ward off evil spirits.  Whatever the reason, I think they are intriguing and beautiful.  Like human hands, many are delicate and graceful, while others are worn and gnarled from use.