Blue Door in Tunisia

A khomsa doorknocker is quite common on doors of southern Europe. I have never seen one in Tunisia, but on the other hand Sapphira's mother was French and Catholic. The hand is a sign of welcome and some say symbolizes the hand of the Virgin Mary.

“I unlatched the gate and with the children clutching hands I proudly walked the gently rising brick pathway with its five small steps—steps that years ago as a young girl I had bounded up and down with carefree abandon, the passing years now calling for care in my stride. Steps that led to the solid wooden door, painted bright blue with rows of black iron studs, set below an arch of alternating light and dark stone. It was secure, yet inviting. I raised the black iron hand of the khomsa doorknocker and allowed it to fall sharply—demanding attention.

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