Knocking on History: The Story of the Hand Door Knocker

I have to confess - one of my favourite films is My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Every time I watch it, I find myself laughing out loud, because so many of the characters remind me of my own family. I especially love the father, Gus, who insists that the Greeks invented everything. It’s such a familiar claim - one I’ve heard many times growing up in a Greek family!

And, to be fair, the Greeks really did invent a lot of things: democracy, theatre, western philosophy, geometry (the list goes on!) and their contributions to human knowledge are undeniable.

But of course, they didn’t invent “everything” and even with the things they are credited with originating, the truth is more complicated. Many of the ideas and traditions we now associate with Greece have their roots further east. As with so many aspects of culture, what we see as “Greek” is often part of a much older and wider story.

This is because Greece has been a crossroads for centuries - home to so many different cultures and colonisers who have all left their mark. Just think of the beautiful Venetian towns of Nafplio, Chania, and Corfu, with their grand squares and arched windows. Or the strong eastern influence that still runs through daily life, from food to music. 

The Hand on the Door

But for me, one of the most striking examples of this complicated web of cultural mixing is the hand-shaped door knocker, something I still see all over Greece. I remember first seeing one as a child with its polished brass hand catching the sunlight on the street.

In fact, these door knockers are so ubiquitous in Greece that it never crossed my mind that they might belong to any other culture. But a few years ago, while travelling in southern Spain, I noticed the exact same hands adorning doors in Andalusia. That was the moment I realised they weren’t uniquely Greek at all. Intrigued, I began reading about their history - and discovered a fascinating story.

This motif, known as the Hand of Fatima (or Hamsa), has its origins in the Islamic world. It was believed to ward off the evil eye and bring protection to the home. As such, it became common across the Muslim world, entering Spain during the Caliphate of Córdoba and later brought into Greece under Ottoman rule. Then, over time, like so with many traditions, it became absorbed into everyday Greek life.

But although the Greeks cannot present themselves as the originators of this motif, it turns out that neither can the Muslim culture make that claim. Because the story of the door knocker stretches back further still, to ancient Mesopotamia, where symbols of the protective hand were already in use thousands of years ago - the image of a hand, after all, is one of the most universal signs of strength, welcome, and protection.

Was it Greek After All?

And yet, when I started researching the history of door knockers in general, I realised my Greek relatives might be right about the Greeks always being there first. Because the idea of knocking to announce your arrival does, in fact, go back to a particularly unsavory practice that was first recorded in ancient Athens. In classical times, wealthy homes in the city used heavy door chains which were then connected to slaves inside the home. Whenever a visitor arrived, they would pull on the chain, alerting the poor slave on the other end who was then forced to answer it. Thankfully over time, the slave part of the system disappeared and the chains evolved into metal rings and then into the decorative knockers we know today.

So perhaps Gus from My Big Fat Greek Wedding was right, after all - in a way, the Greeks really did invent the door knocker!

Collecting the Hands of History

What fascinates me most, though, is how these knockers have changed and adapted over the centuries. Many of the ones I’ve found in flea markets and little antique shops across Greece retain the protective Hand of Fatima design, but others feature faces of women, gods, or mythological figures - something that would never be part of Islamic tradition. These hybrid designs tell a story of cultural blending, where east meets west, and where faith, superstition, and artistry all intertwine.

For me, collecting and restoring these antique hand door knockers is a way of preserving that layered history. Each one is different: some are simple and worn smooth from generations of use, while others are richly decorated with beaded cuffs or faces that look like goddesses from Greek mythology. I love holding them and imagining all the stories they’ve witnessed - the hands that have struck them, the visitors they have announced, the homes they have protected.

A Knock That Tells a Story

These wonderful knockers are not just functional objects but reminders of Greece’s complex, beautiful history. They embody the truth that cultures don’t exist in isolation - they absorb, transform, and reinvent what they encounter. And for me, that makes them even more meaningful.

At The Greek House Interiors, I am proud to bring these antique hand door knockers back to life, so they can continue their journey. They are more than objects: they are part of a story that connects us to the past, to our families, and to the traditions that shape our homes. Explore our antique hand door knocker collection