The evil eye is a look that is believed by many cultures to
be able to cause injury or bad luck for the person at whom it is directed for reasons
of envy or dislike. The term also refers to the power attributed to certain
persons of inflicting injury or bad luck by such an envious or ill-wishing
look.
Attempts to ward off the curse of the evil eye has resulted
in a number of talismans in many cultures. As a class, they are called
"apotropaic" (Greek for "prophylactic" or
"protective," literally: "turns away") talismans, meaning
that they turn away or turn back harm.
Disks or balls, consisting of concentric blue and white
circles (usually, from inside to outside, dark blue, light blue, white, dark
blue) representing an evil eye are common apotropaic talismans in the Middle
East, found on the prows of Mediterranean boats and elsewhere; in some forms of
the folklore, the staring eyes are supposed to bend the malicious gaze back to
the sorcerer.
Known as nazar (Turkish: nazar boncuğu or nazarlık), this
talisman is most frequently seen in Turkey, found in or on houses and vehicles
or worn as beads.
A blue eye can also be found on some forms of the hamsa
hand, an apotropaic hand-shaped talisman against the evil eye found in the
Middle East. The word hamsa, also spelled khamsa and hamesh, means
"five" referring to the fingers of the hand. In Jewish culture, the
hamsa is called the Hand of Miriam; in some Muslim populated cultures, the Hand
of Fatima. However, it is considered a superstition to practicing or religious
Muslims that any symbol or object protects against the evil eye. In Islam, only
God can protect against the evil eye.
Rather pretty, isn't it?I made this bracelet by braiding blue glass beads with black leather thong.
I'm definitely going through a bracelet phase. I make them while watching tv. Better than just drinking copious amounts of wine!
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