What is the Evil Eye Symbol? Should I be worried? | SymbolSage

Summary

The Evil Eye is a global superstition, believed to be a curse caused by a jealous or envious stare that can bring bad luck, illness, and misfortune. To protect against this curse, people use the blue glass Evil Eye charm, known as nazar boncugu, which originated in Turkey. The charm symbolizes protection and good luck, featuring a design representing the parts of an eye. Despite some misconceptions, the Evil Eye charm repels negative energy. It is widely used in jewelry, home decor, and even as emojis, continuing to grow in popularity as a symbol of protection.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Evil Eye is a widespread superstition believed to cause harm through an envious gaze, resulting in misfortune or illness.
• 😀 The belief in the Evil Eye dates back to ancient times, originating in the Near East around 7000-3000 BCE, and has since spread globally.
• 😀 The Evil Eye curse can be cast unintentionally, and its effects can include bad luck, illness, disaster, or even death for the person targeted.
• 😀 The blue Evil Eye charm, also known as the *nazar boncugu*, is a popular symbol used to protect against the Evil Eye curse.
• 😀 The *nazar boncugu* is a blue glass bead featuring three concentric circles representing parts of an eye: a white eyeball, light blue iris, and black pupil.
• 😀 The Evil Eye charm's blue color may stem from the ancient Greek belief that people with blue eyes were particularly effective at casting the curse.
• 😀 Despite its name, the Evil Eye charm is not a symbol of the curse itself; rather, it represents protection and good luck.
• 😀 The Evil Eye charm is commonly worn as jewelry or placed in homes, offices, and vehicles to shield spaces from negative energy.
• 😀 If the Evil Eye charm breaks or cracks, it is believed to have fulfilled its protective role, and should be replaced for continued protection.
• 😀 The Evil Eye charm is not only a cultural symbol but has also become a global trend, appearing in jewelry, tattoos, home décor, and even emojis.

Q & A

What is the Evil Eye curse and how is it believed to work?

The Evil Eye curse is thought to be caused by a jealous or envious glare. Whether intentional or not, this look can cast a curse on the person it is directed towards, resulting in misfortune, illness, or even death.

Where did the belief in the Evil Eye originate?

The belief in the Evil Eye is believed to have originated in the Near East around the Neolithic period (7000-3000 BCE), later spreading across the Mediterranean and into parts of Central and West Asia, Latin America, and West Africa.

Why do many cultures have superstitions related to the Evil Eye?

The Evil Eye superstition exists because many cultures believe that envy or jealousy can cause harm to others. This belief is rooted in the idea that negative energy from a malicious stare or gaze can cause misfortune to the recipient.

What is the significance of the blue glass Evil Eye charm?

The blue glass Evil Eye charm, also known as *nazar boncugu*, is used to protect the wearer from the harmful effects of the Evil Eye curse. The charm is believed to repel negative energy, bring good luck, and shield individuals from jealousy and envy.

What does the term 'nazar boncugu' mean?

'Nazar boncugu' is a Turkish term where 'nazar' means 'sight' and 'boncuk' means 'bead,' so the term literally translates to 'eye bead.' This refers to the blue glass bead that represents protection from the Evil Eye curse.

What does the design of the Evil Eye bead symbolize?

The Evil Eye bead features a circle of dark blue glass with three smaller circles inside it, representing the parts of an eye: a white eyeball, a light blue iris, and a black pupil. This design is meant to act as a protective force against the Evil Eye curse.

How did the belief in the Evil Eye spread to ancient Greece and Rome?

The belief in the Evil Eye spread to ancient Greece and Rome where it was considered one of the greatest threats to anyone who received excessive praise. Ancient philosophers like Plutarch associated the Evil Eye with envy and jealousy.

Why is the Evil Eye charm traditionally blue?

The Evil Eye charm is traditionally blue because blue-eyed people were historically believed to be the most capable of casting the Evil Eye curse, according to the Greek philosopher Plutarch. This may explain why the bead is blue to protect against such curses.

How is the Evil Eye charm used for protection?

The Evil Eye charm is typically worn as jewelry, such as a necklace or bracelet, to keep its protective power close to the wearer. It is also commonly hung in homes, offices, and vehicles, particularly above doorways, to ward off negative energy.

What should you do if an Evil Eye charm cracks or falls off?

If the Evil Eye charm cracks, breaks, or falls off, it is believed that it has completed its task of protecting the individual from the Evil Eye curse. In this case, the charm should be replaced as it is no longer effective.