The Evil Eye: What it is and How to Protect Oneself
Meaning and history of the evil eye
The evil eye, or mati (μάτι as it is known in Greece), is an ancient curse that many people still believe in to this day will meet in many cultures around the Mediterranean sea Turkey, Greece, and all the way to India. The first known instances of the evil eye date back to the sixth-century b.c. where ancient peoples drew the eye on cups and other items. The evil eye meant that the person who cast the curse was jealous of the other person’s wealth, beauty, fame, among other things. The evil eye was, and is still, believed to cause the recipient to experience a string of bad luck or disaster. People can sometimes curse others with an evil eye without realizing they are doing it. The evil look is thought to have immense powers. Nowadays, the evil eye can be found depicted on many talismans, charms, and other jewelry items. It is believed that by wearing these items, a person can protect themselves from the curse of the eye. These items are usually a deep blue in color, reflecting the beautiful waters around Greece. An evil eye talisman will usually have a blue eye with a circle of darker blue around it. Sometimes, these evil blue eyes will be painted on ships to ensure safe passage.
What is the evil eye used for?
People need an evil eye because it will protect them from the evil eyes of others. The talismans can deflect any evil eye that may be cast the wearer’s way. These reflecting talismans are Greek in origin, and many Grecian people wear them to protect themselves.
Methods of protection against the evil eye
Amulets and talismans are not the only way people can protect themselves from the evil eye. However, they remain the most popular, particularly in modern times. There are several other methods of protection out there that historians recommend. There are many different methods that residents of Greece did to ensure that the evil eye would not get to them. Some people carried incense to ward off any curse, while others carried small crosses as a preventative measure. It was also common practice to sleep with small, protective items under one’s pillow. Women who had just given birth made sure to do this. The evil eye was thought to be particularly dangerous towards infants. Some of the items that people slept with include rings, garlic, nails, and, in some instances, indigo stones. These same indigo blue stones are used to make the protective talismans that many people wear. Sometimes, protection from the evil eye required Greek citizens to perform more drastic measures. For example, some villages would catch and skin a bear, then burn its fur in an elaborate ritual.
There are several suggested places to hang an evil eye talisman to adequately protect oneself. The most common place to hang an evil eye is around one’s neck or bracelet, which is another reason why jewelry has become so popular. By hanging an evil eye in this method, a person can assure themself of constant protection. It is also a good idea to hang an evil eye in one’s home or office. It is common to hang or display them over doorways and entryways, so everyone who enters the home is safe. There are also evil eye wall hangings that can be placed in rooms around the house. If you like, you can try an evil eye ornament and put it on a tree or bush on your property. It is also an excellent idea to hang an evil eye talisman around the rearview mirror in one’s car. Driving can sometimes be a risky activity. Having an evil eye talisman in one’s car means that the driver and passengers are always protected. The evil eye is mighty and has been respected by cultures for centuries. People who have become afflicted with the evil eye curse usually experience a range of symptoms that are hard to explain at first. Their mood may suddenly change and become poor, or they may even feel like an actual weight on their shoulders.
