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If you've ever been to Turkey you couldn't have missed seeing what it known as the 'evil eye' symbol. You will see it everywhere. It adorns the entrance to most homes, businesses and restaurants, and is to ward off evil energies.
The belief in the evil eye has existed for thousands of years and is deeply embedded in different cultures, particularly around the Middle East, North Africa and West Asia.
As with most symbols, even very old symbols, the evil eye talisman has been popularly incorporated into modern jewellery design and evil eye jewellery is worn by people worldwide, not just by people around the Middle East and Turkey where the symbol originated and is still part of the culture today.
But what exactly is the evil eye symbol and what does it mean?
In this article, we will explore the meaning behind the evil eye, its origins and the best way to wear it.
What is the Evil Eye?
The Evil Eye myth is that thoughts of bad will, or a malicious glare, can be aimed against another and cause harm. The evil eye is malevolent thoughts targetting someone, with the victim being mainly unaware that they've been the subject of someone's ill will.
It is thought that these bad feelings, thoughts and evil eyes towards someone, often stem from jealousy. There is a belief that the evil looks were a curse that carried power and caused harm or misfortune - the evil eye curse.
The Evil Eye and Hamsa Hand Symbols
The Evil Eye as well as the Hamsa Hand became a remedy to counteract and ward off any harm that may originate from these harmful looks. The Hamsa Hand is a palm-shaped amulet originates from the same areas of the world.
Both offer similar protective powers it was believed.
Another part of the superstition in keeping the evil eye away was that people were wary of talking about their everyday life successes. In doing so, they believed, could provoke another to aim the evil eye at them. There was a strong fear of inviting bad luck or actual disaster.
This idea also expressed itself in resistance against excessive praise, for fear of inviting ill will from others.
In past times when, even more than now, personal or familial wealth amounted to things which could be easily destroyed by others or by nature itself - as in their crops, property, and animals - this made people very superstitious and many rituals were carried out to offset this.
The Design of the Evil Eye
The eye-like symbol of the evil eye logo or amulet traditionally had a blue background or a circle with concentric blue colours. This, of course, looks particularly striking set in sterling silver, yellow or rose gold, hence its prolific use in jewellery design, whether it be a complete evil eye necklace or the addition of an evil eye charm to a bracelet.
We all love good-luck charms and, as superstitious beliefs go, this is a good one - worn by all ages and backgrounds for the protection is may bring.
Evil eye amulets are one of the strongest symbolic images and, as such, are a great choice in jewellery design. The palm-shaped amulet of the hamsa is another good choice.
The power of the meaning of the evil eye was such that it is believed that carrying or simply displaying this amulet, deflects the negative effects of bad intentions and prevents physical and mental illness or loss.
Whilst the evil eye originated around this region, the belief in the protective measures of the evil eye talisman has spread across many cultures and countries.
The History of the Evil Eye Symbol
The evil eye talisman (or Nazar which is its correct name) is a famous symbol made up of a human eye symbol, usually in a circle or eye shape, and often coloured light blue.
This ancient symbol, used by many different cultures, can also be made of four concentric circles of varying shades of blue - from light blue to dark blue with a black centre in a white surround.
The most well-known Evil Eye amulets are the Turkish boncuk a light blue glass round with a black dot in a white centre and these are found all over the Middle East. Even Jewish culture has incorporated the talisman
The evil eye talisman is used to reflect evil spirits and so acts as protection against any misfortune or injury.
Hence, the symbol is not the Evil Eye but an amulet for protection from the bad luck or curse of the Evil Eye. It protects the carrier from the harmful look or malevolent glare of another. This is a very important distinction.
Some believe the sign will ward off evil by reflecting the negativity to the sender.
As evil eye talismans gained in popularity and were believed to carry such amazing powers of defence against evil forces, belief in the powers of the symbol grew. Evil eye beads became more easily made, and a great many cultures believed in the symbol - indeed approximately 40% of the population of the world believed in its protective powers.
Now, many thousands of years later, as tourism has increased in Turkey and celebrities have been seen wearing the evil eye jewellery, the evil eye beliefs are becoming well-known in the West.
How Old is The Evil Eye Symbol?
Evidence of the Nazar glass beads dates back to 1500 BC in ancient Greece. The evil eye amulet was written about as being used on cups in 500 BC.
Belief in the evil of others goes back throughout history and the evil eye myth dates back a very long time.
Who Uses the Evil Eye Symbol?
Eye-like symbols date back many thousands of years. Romans and Greeks believed in the Evil Eye and hence used protective evil eye to deflect an evil gaze.
As the symbols were originally made in clay or Egyptian glazed mud and then began to be made in glass. The protective symbol began to be made in glass beads which were easier to produce and its popularity spread further afield.
It was used in many areas and religions around ancient Greece and the Mediterranean, West Asia and Eastern Europe. It's also found in parts of and South America.
Newborn children were often protected against evil intentions by being given evil eye bracelets - small bracelets with eye-like symbols on.
What Does Evil Eye Jewelry Mean?
The evil evil amulet is believed to ward off jealousy and prevent haters from harming you. It is said to offer protection from 'evil eyes', meaning a malevolent glare from those who envy you or wish you bad luck.
The symbol has been used for thousands of years for this reason to ward off mean intent communicated through a look.
Other Evil Eye Amulets
It's not just the eye symbol that is said give protection against someone's bad feelings towards you. The Hamsa Hand is also used, particularly around Italy.
Gold Hamsa Hand with Blue & White CZ
Also in Italy, the Cornicello, also called the Italian Horn or, more commonly, the Horn of Plenty was also believed to bring good fortune and give protection.
In Egypt the Eye of Horus was a similarly protective amulet and, for over two centuries, was an amulet of protection. The Eye of Horus symbol looks a little like the Evil Eye with an eye sign but it also includes an eyebrow and the top part of a cheek.
Evil Eye Jewelry
The gorgeous blue and distinctive look of this amulet is ever-popular in jewellery design. It's an obvious choice - we wear our jewellery against our body and carry it with us as we move around our life. Many talismans, signs and symbols which are meaningful to us are woven into jewellery design.
Our jewellery is often on show and displayed outwards to others (who may be giving us the evil eye without our knowledge).
Whilst this particular symbol, with its indigo blue colour, is very distinctive, evil eye bracelets can be quite discreet and worn stacked with other bracelets and so can be incorporated into modern life quite easily.
Celebrity culture as it is today means that many celebrities have been spotted wearing an evil eye pendant or bracelet and this only increases the symbol's popularity.
Is It OK to Wear Evil Eye Jewelry?
Designed as protection against negativity or a curse believed to bring harm, evil eye jewellery is OK to wear - whether it be an evil eye pendant or an evil eye bracelet with a dainty emblem on, in this day of social media and many people feeling judged, this amulet can give peace of mind.
Celebrities Who Wear Evil Eye Jewelry
Megan Markle has famously been seen wearing an evil eye bracelet and pendant. Gigi Hadid is another celebrity who has been spotted wearing an evil eye amulet, as has Jennifer Anniston,
To Sum Up...
The evil eye meaning, created to ward off the evil intent of another, has a rich significance.
Many cultures have had an evil eye history and pursue protective measures to counteract a curse believed to be transmitted through an evil look.
From its earliest known evidence thousands of years ago, to modern life designs worn by famous people or the ordinary person, the iconic symbol is incorporated into items for the home, garden and jewellery.
Signs and symbols with deep significance give our life meaning and also make thoughtful gifts for those we care about. The idea expressed in the evil eye meaning as protection from mean or a malevolent glare being as relevant today as it always was.
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