In various cultures, the evil eye protects you from those that wish you harm. The theory is simple. It is said that you can get the Evil Eye by way of another person’s glare, praises, or compliments, whether ill-intentioned or not. With such an ardent and widespread belief that a stare held the power to inflict catastrophic misfortune, it’s no surprise that the people of these ancient civilizations sought out a means to repel it.
The eye’s history is far-reaching and intertwines with many people & religions including Judaism, Islam, Hindu, Buddhism & Christianity. Wearing the evil eye symbol is said to “reflect” the power of the evil look back to the other person. Although they date back over 3,000 years, glass beads appeared in the Mediterranean around 1500 B.C. As glass production became more sophisticated, evil-eye beads became popular among the Phoenicians, Assyrians, Greeks, Romans and Ottomans. You can still find the striking image of the cobalt-blue eye all over the world, particularly in the Mediterranean & West Asia.
Here is what the evil eye is called in various countries.
- Hebrew Evil Eye – Ayin Ha’ra
- Turkish Evil Eye – Nazar Boncugu
- Italian Evil Eye – Mal Occhio (a red cornicello is used vs. blue)
- Polish (oko proroka – prophetic eyes)
- Farsi – Bla Band
- Arabic – Ayin Harsha
- Hungarian (szemmelverés – eye beating)
- Scotland – Droch Shuil
- Spanish – Mal Ojo or El Oja
- France – Mauvais Oeil
- Germany – Böser Blick
- Irish – Droch-Shuil
Evil Eye Symbol Meaning in Various Cultures
In Greece, belief in the evil eye dates back to at least the 6th century B.C. It was referenced by several philosophers including Plato, Plutarch & Hesiod. The symbol also appeared on drinking vessels of the wealthy. In ancient Greece, they felt the evil eye could cause misfortune or even physical illnesses. To help prevent what they considered a curse, the Greeks wore a special charm, also called a “mati” or eye, with concentric blue and white circles. They also carried around incense or a cross as protection.
In Turkey, the evil eye has a history of thousands of years of keeping away bad energy. They also believe the “evil eye” is a spiteful glare that can be cast on anyone by a jealous person who believes the other person does not deserve what they have. The consequence? It leaves the person on the receiving end vulnerable to getting hurt, illness, or even death. The Turkish people created the Nazar Boncuk charm, also known as the evil eye. The point of the amulet is to repel evil spirits and keep you safe from harm. It does not bring good luck. It is about protection & security.
Turkish people have them hanging in their houses, shops, offices, and cars as a part of their everyday life. Some builders even place a Nazar Bonuck as part of the foundation of a building or home. Over time, the charm will wear and crack. This isn’t a bad omen. It means the beads have done their job and you’re safe. A replacement is immediate to keep the protection to be sure the evil spirits don’t come back. It is made of blue glass, in one specific oven, comprised of two primary colors, blue and light blue. The darker blue is the color of protection and located on the outside of the amulet. In the middle, you will find a light blue or yellow surrounding the protector or eye which is often black or dark blue.
In India, Hindus believe that jealousy is at the root of the power of the evil eye. This could be either a malicious or even an admirable look that would cause the evil eye curse to fall upon someone. If this happened, their cow’s supply of milk would dry up. This started a tradition where you give milk to someone you admire to counteract the evil eye.
In Egypt, Israel, and other parts of the Middle East the protection from the evil eye looks a bit different. They use what is called Hamsa, also known as the “Hand of Fatima.” The Hamsa is a hand-shaped symbol with an eye in the center of the palm. In Jewish culture, it is known as the “Hand of God” or the “Hand of Miriam.”
In Brazil, the evil eye is referred to as the “fat eye”. They believe that bad luck falls upon those who have received insincere compliments. If you are given a sincere compliment, then all is well.
In Europe it was the same belief that a harsh glance could cause someone bad luck, but it also went a bit further. The evil eye was also associated with witches and people who had a unique eye color, eye shape, or a unibrow were also thought to have the ability to cast the look.
Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Syria, Lebanon, the UAE, Armenia, Iran, India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, and Azerbaijan also have kept the belief alive. Although there was no direct tie to Evil Eye in the U.S., the craze has caught on over the years.
Whether it’s for fashion or just in case it works type of thing, you can find them easily online. From inexpensive hand-made goods on Etsy, to designers such as Tory Burch & Sydney & Evan. Larger stores such as Bergdorfgooman, Macy’s & Bloomingdale have luxury collections made with gold, diamonds & blue sapphires. The way to access the powers and possibilities of the Evil Eye is to firmly believe and buy into its strength. It will also help clear your thoughts and any negative energy.
If you are interested in superstitions, we have plenty of blog posts with fascinating superstitions from around the world including the Super Bowl, holidays, Friday the 13th, and more.
Chinese New Years Superstitions & Traditions
Strange Superstitions Around the World
St. Patrick’s Day Superstitions
Super Bowl Traditions & Superstitions
Christmas Superstitions
Coin Superstitions Around the World
Eye Twitching Superstitions
New Years Superstitions to Travel More
