Stuff You Should Know – Short Stuff: Evil Eye

Intro

In this episode of “Stuff You Should Know,” the hosts explore the fascinating topic of the evil eye, a custom, tradition, or superstition that is believed to cause harm or bad luck to the recipient. They delve into the origins of the evil eye, its cultural significance, and various methods used to protect against it.

Main Takeaways

Origins and Beliefs

• Evil eye is a custom, tradition, or superstition where someone gives a glance that can cause harm or bad luck to the recipient.
• It can be intentional or unintentional and is often associated with jealousy, envy, anger, resentment, or greed.
• Plutarch, a philosopher and historian, was one of the first to write about the evil eye in his essays called Moralia.
• The evil eye is believed to be caused by the energy that shoots out of a person’s eyes, according to Plutarch’s theory.
• The evil eye is an ancient belief that predates the Greeks, and it has been passed down through generations.

Protection and Traditions

• Evil eye shooters blame bad things that happen to them on the evil eye that was shot their way.
• Different cultures have their own traditions and customs for protecting against the evil eye, such as wearing amulets and saying special prayers.
• Babies, children, pregnant women, and animals are the most vulnerable to the evil eye.
• In Turkey, newborn babies receive a nazar, which is a dark blue circle with a white circle inside it and a dark blue circle inside the white circle, meant to be an eye.
• Different cultures have various traditions for warding off the evil eye on newborn babies.

Historical and Cultural Significance

• The Nazar, a dark blue circle with a white circle inside and a dark blue circle inside the white circle, is a common amulet used for protection against the evil eye.
• The Nazar is based on the eye of Horus, which was painted on homes and tombs in ancient Egypt for protection against evil.
• Eye idols, which resemble ET, were found in Tel Brock, Syria and are believed to have offered protection as well.
• Pegley Arulos’ grandmother would pour drops of olive oil in a bowl of water and look at the shapes and patterns to inform her on the evil eye.
• Protection against the evil eye is a common belief in many cultures.

Methods of Protection

• You can protect yourself from the evil eye using amulets, talismans, or prayers.
• Saying “please don’t look at me like that anymore” can dispel the magic of the evil eye.

Summary

Origins and Beliefs

The evil eye is a belief that dates back to ancient times and is associated with harmful glances that can bring bad luck or misfortune to the recipient. Plutarch, a philosopher and historian, wrote about the evil eye in his essays, attributing its effects to the energy emitted from a person’s eyes. This belief has been passed down through generations and is often linked to feelings of jealousy, envy, anger, resentment, or greed.

Protection and Traditions

Various cultures have developed their own traditions and customs for protecting against the evil eye. These include wearing amulets, such as the Nazar, a dark blue circle with a white circle inside, and saying special prayers. Babies, children, pregnant women, and animals are considered the most vulnerable to the evil eye, and special precautions are taken to protect them. For example, in Turkey, newborn babies receive a nazar amulet to ward off the evil eye.

Historical and Cultural Significance

The Nazar amulet, commonly used for protection against the evil eye, has historical and cultural significance. It is based on the eye of Horus, an ancient Egyptian symbol of protection against evil. Eye idols found in Tel Brock, Syria, resembling the character ET, are also believed to have offered protection. Additionally, some individuals, like Pegley Arulos’ grandmother, use drops of olive oil in water to detect the presence of the evil eye.

Methods of Protection

To protect oneself from the evil eye, various methods can be employed, such as wearing amulets or talismans, or reciting prayers. Additionally, expressing a verbal request for someone to stop giving you an evil eye glance can dispel its supposed magical effects.

Conclusion

The evil eye is a fascinating custom or superstition that has persisted throughout history and across cultures. Whether it is a result of genuine belief or simply a cultural tradition, the evil eye serves as a reminder of the power of perception and the importance of protecting oneself from negative energies. From ancient beliefs to modern practices, the evil eye continues to captivate our curiosity and spark discussions about the supernatural and human nature.