Do you believe that envious and malicious glances can bring you bad luck or even cause you physical
harm?
Sounds kind of silly huh?
Or is it?
Would you be surprised to know that
there are many cultures who believe just that? And that it is in fact deeply
ingrained within many of their cultures.
Let me tell you a bit
what I've chosen for my "E" words.
Have you ever heard of
the EVIL EYE?
Often the harm inflicted
by the evil eye is linked to the envy of the person who is doing
the hurting. The possession of an evil eye was often thought to
reside in persons who had tendencies toward antisocial behaviors,
(i.e.; meanness, selfishness & envy).
This belief was found in
many cultures (list below), and it has persisted into modern times. You'd be amazed just how many cultures actually believe in the evil eye. Each culture called it by its own name.
·
Hebrew Evil Eye
– Ayin Ha’ra
·
Turkish Evil Eye
– Nazar Boncugu
·
Italian Evil Eye
– Mal Occhio
·
Farsi – Bla Band
·
Arabic – Ayin
Harsha
·
Scotland – Droch
Shuil
·
Spanish – Mal Ojo
or El Oja
·
France – Mauvais
Oeil
·
Germany – Böser
Blick
·
Romans – Oculus
Malus
Cultures also adapted
and had ways of guarding and protecting against the evil eye. There were many
methods and it was widely believed that children, the elderly, animals and people
in transition were especially vulnerable.
EVIL EYE METHODS OF
PROTECTION
They used amulets,
crosses, incense were widely used as methods of protection but they
were not the only methods. New mothers would put objects under the pillows of
their newborns. Some of the objects used were gunpowder, nails, indigo and salt;
each had its specific meaning.
Gunpowder symbolized an
ability to fight back against the evil eye. The nail was the symbol of
strength, the indigo's blue color held power and salt was a symbol of
strength.
EVIL EYE
The remedies are
as varied as the cultures. In Bangladesh a child is
adorned with a black dot on its forehead for protection. In Greece,
Armenia, and Assyria, it is thought that a good pinch in the butt will cure you
of the effects of the evil eye (no joke). In some European countries
they do the sign of the cross while at the same time pointing their index and
pinky finger at the source of the evil eye.
EVIL EYE TALISMANS AND
AMULETS
Wearing evil eye talismans,
jewelry, and amulets are the modern way of reflecting back the harmful power of
the evil eye.
EVIL EYE IN MODERN LIFE
It is hard not to
imagine that the evil eye would not somehow become part of popular culture here in
America. In fact many Hollywood stars can be seen wearing jewelry and other
fashions adorned with the evil eye. And it’s no wonder in one Google search I
found tons of evil eye products…. IPhone covers, jewelry, T-shirts, posters,
key chains, coffee cups, refrigerator magnets, pacifiers, bumper stickers and
greeting cards. Go Figure!
Wink ;
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