The Evil Eye

Since primitive and pre-literate societies, it has been believed that the “bad look” and “negative energy” would give harm to people. To be able to be protected from the mentioned negative intentions and bad thoughts various objects have been used and ascribed meaning in human history. “The evil eye” which is called as “Nazar” in Turkish and Arabic, actually means “careful look”. In folk-belief, the evil eye figure had been used as a means of protection against “careful look” and bad intentions.

One of the thoughts about the roots of the blue evil eye figure is that, in ancient times, in Mediterranean region, where people with blue eyes were not very common, it was believed that blue-eyed people’s “look” would give harm and to be protected from this “bad look” the blue evil eye figure had been come out as an imitation of the blue eyes of people. As a consequence of developments in glass-making techniques in the region, the blue evil eye figure has turned out to be one of the main cultural symbols in Anatolia which still exists today.

Another thought about the roots of the blue evil eye figure is the Sky God Belief "Tengriism" of ancient Turks, it is believed that cobalt, which is a blue element, and copper might have been used by ancient Turkic people in evil eye production, which could be linked to symbolic meanings attributed to blue sky in this ancient belief.

Tree with Evileye Amulets (November 2019, Cappadocia Turkey)

In daily practices of Anatolian culture, the blue evil eye amulet is being used in many occasions: New born babies are believed to be protected from any evilness by having an evil eye amulet attached on their clothes. The evil eye amulet is being hanged by people on the walls of their houses. In rural areas, herdsmen hang evil eye amulet on the neck of their animals, particularly cows and sheep, to protect them from possible dangers.

Evileye Amulets Hanged on the Wall (Ankara Castle/ Ulus - October 2019)

In today’s modern world, the evil eye figure is still being widely used as a decoration figure or as an accessory. The roots of beliefs and traditions in Anatolia dates back to ancient history and as a result of cultural interactions, trading activities and changing borders, civilizations have had similarities in their beliefs and traditions. For this reason, today, in many countries and cultures, it is possible to see common usage of evil eye figures and patterns in jewellery, apparel products or home accessories.

Evil eye amulets hanged on the wall, photo taken in Ankara-Ulus/ Turkey

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Bibliography

Örnek, S. V. (2016) Turkish Folklore. (2nd ed.) Ankara: Bilgesu

Boratav, P. N. (2016) Turkish Folklore in 100 Questions: Beliefs, Morals, Ceremonies and Plays (3rd ed.) Ankara: Bilgesu

Hargitai, Q. (2018) Historical Roots of the Evileye Amulet [online] Available from: https://www.bbc.com/turkce/vert-cul-43116420 (Accessed: 01.11.2019)