Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the evil eye?
What is the evil eye?
Which regions have the strongest belief in the evil eye?
Which regions have the strongest belief in the evil eye?
What is the fascinum in Latin?
What is the fascinum in Latin?
Which religion mentions the evil eye in Pirkei Avot?
Which religion mentions the evil eye in Pirkei Avot?
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What is the maljo in Trinidad and Tobago?
What is the maljo in Trinidad and Tobago?
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What is the nazar in Turkey, Romania, and Albania?
What is the nazar in Turkey, Romania, and Albania?
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What is the buda in Ethiopia?
What is the buda in Ethiopia?
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What is the thiat in Senegal?
What is the thiat in Senegal?
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What is the cornicello in Italy?
What is the cornicello in Italy?
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What is the traditional cure for Mal de Ojo in Latin America?
What is the traditional cure for Mal de Ojo in Latin America?
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Study Notes
- The evil eye is a supernatural belief in a curse caused by a malevolent glare.
- It dates back about 5,000 years and is found in many cultures in the Mediterranean region, Western Asia, and Central Asia.
- About 40% of the world's population believes in the evil eye.
- The concept and its significance vary widely among different cultures but are especially prominent in the Balkans, Mediterranean, and West Asia.
- Many different objects and charms were used for protection from the evil eye, including talismans, amulets, and gestures.
- The phallic charm called fascinum in Latin was one example of an apotropaic object used against the evil eye.
- Belief in the evil eye is strongest in West Asia, Latin America, East and West Africa, Central America, South Asia, Central Asia, and Europe.
- Attempts to ward off the curse of the evil eye have resulted in a number of talismans in many cultures.
- Disks or balls, consisting of concentric blue and white circles, are common apotropaic talismans in West Asia and the Balkans.
- The evil eye is also found in Islamic doctrine and folk religion.
- The evil eye is a belief that certain people have the power to cause harm to others by looking at them with jealousy or envy.
- It is found in many cultures and religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
- In Judaism, the evil eye is mentioned in the Pirkei Avot and is believed to be worse than having a bad friend or neighbor.
- Many observant Jews avoid talking about their possessions or children to avoid the evil eye, and rituals surrounding birth and young children often focus on protection from it.
- In Christianity, the evil eye is mentioned in the Bible and some Christians wear cross necklaces for protection.
- In Islam, the evil eye is called al-’ayn and is believed to be activated by envy, although it usually happens unconsciously.
- There are various rituals to ward off the evil eye, such as saying "TabarakAllah" or "Masha'Allah" in Islam.
- In Trinidad and Tobago, the evil eye is called maljo and is believed to cause illness or misfortune, especially in vulnerable individuals like babies and children.
- Maljo can be passed on inadvertently, but is believed to be more severe when coming from an envious person or one with bad intentions.
- Remedies for maljo include wearing blue clothing or accessories, using blue soap or dye, and performing Hindu rituals like jharay.
- The evil eye is a belief in many cultures that someone can cause harm through envy or admiration.
- Various rituals are used to ward off the evil eye, including prayers, the use of charms or amulets, and burning objects.
- In Trinidad and Tobago, a jharay ceremony is performed using a cocoyea broom or other tool to brush the person from head to toe while a prayer is said.
- In Greece, the evil eye is known as "mati" and is cast away through a process called xematiasma, which involves reciting a secret prayer and performing the sign of the cross.
- The Assyrians wear a blue/turquoise bead with holes resembling eyes as protection from the evil eye.
- The nazar, a handmade glass charm featuring concentric circles or teardrop shapes, is used in Turkey, Romania, Albania, and other cultures to ward off the evil eye.
- In Ethiopia, the evil eye is known as "buda" and is warded off with amulets or talismans created by a debtera.
- In Senegal, the "thiat" is believed to cause beautiful objects to break and is warded off with cowrie shell bracelets or "gris-gris" made by a marabout.
- In India, the evil eye is known as "nazar" or "buri nazar" and is warded off with charm bracelets, tattoos, or slogans.
- The use of rituals to ward off the evil eye varies widely across cultures and regions.
- The evil eye is a superstition found in many cultures, including India, Pakistan, Italy, Malta, Brazil, Spain, and Latin America.
- It is believed to be caused by envy or jealousy and can bring bad luck or harm to the victim.
- Methods to ward off the evil eye include using items like rock salt, red chilies, white pumpkins, oiled cloth, or lemons coated with kumkuma, hanging pictures of fierce ogres, or wearing black kajal or a metal pendant with the umbilical cord of a baby.
- In Pakistan, people may read certain chapters of the Quran or use black cloth to ward off the evil eye.
- In Italy, a horn-shaped amulet called cornicello is used, as well as the tooth or fur of an Italian wolf.
- In Malta, the symbol of the eye is common on traditional fishing boats to protect fishermen from storms and malicious intentions.
- In Brazil, amulets include toxic and dark plants like comigo-ninguém-pode and Dieffenbachia, as well as mirrors, elephant figurines, and coarse salt.
- In Spain and Latin America, infants are at special risk and are often given an amulet bracelet or touched by admirers to dispel envy.
- One traditional cure in Latin America involves a curandero sweeping a raw chicken egg over the body of a victim to absorb the power of the evil eye.
- The egg is later broken into a glass with water and placed under the patient's bed, and if it appears cooked, it means the patient had Mal de Ojo and will start feeling better.
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Description
Test your knowledge of the supernatural belief in the evil eye with this quiz! Discover the origins of this belief, its significance in different cultures and religions, and the various methods used to ward off its curse. From talismans and amulets to prayers and rituals, explore the fascinating world of the evil eye and its impact on societies around the globe. Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, this quiz is sure to captivate your curiosity and expand your understanding of this intriguing superstition. So
