The symbol of the eye is ubiquitous in Turkey, its influence spanning beyond its borders to the Mediterranean coasts and Indian sub-continent. Ornaments that hang in doorways, jewelry that dangles off women's wrists, posters, clothing, travel blog sidebars, and sidewalk cement feature a little blue charm. The evil eye has a central black pupil, lighter iris, white eye border and sapphire rim. Everywhere, these eyes seem to be fixated on you.
This Evil Eye Pendant or the Nazar Boncuğu, (literally meaning the "evil eye bead") has roots that trace back to the ancient Egyptians and Sumerians. The Old Testament even takes note of the sentiment: (Proverbs 28:22: "A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth And does not know that want will come upon him.)
There are different versions of the legends about the evil eye. Most of them revolve around the basic concept that a stone can be worn to protect oneself from evil looks.This stone defies Nazar, the spirit that is present when someone sees your good fortune with jealousy or gluttony. Whether their intentions are deliberate, or subconscious, lore says their feelings will manifest in an attack against whatever enviable quality you have. Without a stone or evil eye talisman to ward off the spirit, bad luck in some form is bound to befall you; Nazar will try to take whatever positive trait you possess away. When the stone breaks, it means Nazar was thwarted and the wearer, unharmed.
The tradition of giving and wearing the bead is simple. The stone will only be effective if it is given to you; you alone cannot grant yourself protection. Others must instill their (and thus the symbol of) good will upon you.
The bead itself is an amalgamation of molten glass, iron, copper, water and salt. According to folklore, the combination of metals and minerals is thought to provide a barrier from the forces of evil. Glassmakers for centuries have perfected the technique for making the bead: melted glass is rolled around steel rods called fonga and then rapidly placed on top of previous layers of colored glass. The major issue in making the beads is the high temperature. If it gets lower, the glass cracks and distortions appear.
What particularly drew me to studying the Evil Eye (as it was the first real connection with Turkey I ever had) was that the evil eye has also extended its sway into the social strata, particularly on people with blue-colored eyes. Though the talisman used to ward off evil is blue, itself, some believe that people with eyes in an unusual color are wicked, and do not desire the good of others. In the region where the lore originated, blue is apparently an usual eye color. These eyes, however enchanting and attractive they may seem, essentially harbor negative feelings about others. When this negative energy gets transmitted to others, much harm and distress is caused.
Of course, this is a cultural superstition differing between Americans and Turks- I normally associate evil looks of envy with the color green. Thus, in America, my mom is subjected to the bizarre assumption her looks are nothing but trouble, but in Turkey, my brother would be. As for my dad and I, brown eyes seem to have nothing to worry about (as long as we keep the little eye charms on us.)
