The phenomenon known as ‘’The Evil Eye’ has captured the fascination of societies and civilizations for centuries. This was a strong and rather fixed belief in the ancient societies that, even in today’s societies, people strongly believe that the evil eye works excellently. So, for the people who want to ask, what is this Evil Eye that we often hear of? What is its origin and its importance to the practice of this belief? Let me explain every single detail about this belief and how it helps people to ward off negativity around them.
History of the Evil Eye
The roots of the evil eye can be dated back to the earliest times when some of the first records were given in Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome. These societies were also of the view that casting an evil eye toward the other was capable of bringing pretentious harm, calamity, or even death. Again, the Evil Eye was not confined to the Mediterranean but appeared in Middle Eastern, African, Asian, and, of course, the Americas.
In ancient Greece, the term for the Evil Eye was “Baskania. “The persons who are blessed with good things in life are most likely targets of the Evil Eye. Likewise, ancient Romans used to wear charms and talismans which they believed would protect them from the “Malocchio”, or the Evil Eye.
Functions of the Evil Eye
Silver Nazar RakhiThe Evil Eye can be often depicted with a blue eye emblem or some kind of talisman. This one is called ‘’Nazar’’ in Turkish and is probably one of the most famous protective symbols against the evil eye. The blue colour is assumed to bring back the energy of the envious gaze; hence, guards the wearer against any harm.
So, when it comes to other cultures, the talismans to ward off the evil eye have different names like the Chieri in Italy. For instance, the Hamsa, or the Hand of Fatima also called Sharia, is a hand-shaped icon often decorated with an eye in the palm which is common among the Middle Eastern and North African societies. The Hamsa is used to possibly protect an individual and possibly bring them good fortune, on the back of negating the effects of the Evil Eye.
Read More: Benefits of Wearing Evil Eye jewellery for Protection
Evil Eye as a Concept
The Evil Eye is a well-established superstition that constitutes part of many cultures and is still felt to correct diverse aspects of culture, including traditions, arts, and design in rings. The aesthetic appeal of the Evil Eye is derived from its appearance as a symbol of the destructive ramifications of jealousy and people’s instinct to safeguard themselves.
In some cultures, the Evil Eye is used to discourage people from over-achieving or drawing attention to their success or they will receive the Evil Eye. This faith focuses on togetherness and, especially, respect, as people are encouraged to open their doors to others and abstain from provoking the sensation of jealousy within other people.
The Evil Eye also points out that the social relations among people within society are tight and merge with each other. Such is the case, where even a smile – the subtle command of a glance – is sufficient to inflict a significant amount of harm; the scale of which serves as a constant reminder of the importance of social cohesion, and the understanding that one’s words, deeds and thoughts are capable of positively and negatively influencing those around us.
Read More: Evil Eye Jewellery: Fashion or Protective Symbol?
Modern Interpretations and Uses
Oxidised Silver Evil Eye Pendant with Chain
Today the charm for Evil Eye is considered to be used not only for protection but also for style. There is a common use of jewelry, clothes, and accessories with the Evil Eye motif, and these items are worn by people of different origins. It is beneficial to understand that the current variant represents an interpretation of the ancient representation of power and symbolizes the combination of history and the appearance of the present in its form.
Thus the Evil Eye has not only been a part of fashion nowadays but remains an essential component of culture and spirituality. People still use amulets and charms to protect themselves and their loved ones from harm, and the belief in the Evil Eye remains a powerful reminder of the potential consequences of envy and negativity.
Try GIVA’s Evil Eve Jewellery To Protect your Loved Ones
The Evil Eye is a symbol that does not belong to any specific epoch and can be translated between cultures with a certain degree of flexibility because it is focused on a problem that people face in any period of their existence, which can be described as jealousy and the desire to protect themselves from destructive influences. This makes it a very interesting subject because of the details of the works, their meaning, and their importance to generations. Whether it is believed to ward off evil or merely to be in vogue, The Evil Eye today stands tall for all to embrace and enthrall for the seeming ordinariness of everyone but a pinch of goodness and positivity.
Learning about the Evil Eye and its history gives people a chance to look into deeper aspects of human existence and to see that even in contemporary society people are affected by some of the old legends. Thus, remember the next time you look at an Evil Eye charm it has a history and quite literally, is filled with meanings. You can check out GIVA’s evil eye jewellery collection to see the magic yourself.