Traditional Doorway in the Medina (Kairouan)

This traditional door in an alley in Kairouan features beautiful artwork in plaster, blue-white combination oft seen in the regions surroundding the Mediterranean. Peer closely and you will see the "hand of Fatima" door-knockers traditionally used to ward off the evil eye. Historically, wealthy homes had two knockers: a smaller, finer female hand, and a larger, heavier male hand. A female visitor would use the female hand, and a male visitor would use the male hand, allowing the lady of the house to know if she could open the door, as she could not open it for a man.