Evil Eyes are accepted in almost all cultures. There are so many ways people ward them off. Some are orthodox while some are so eccentric that one cannot believe they exist. We will discuss a few of them today.
ince the dawn of time, mankind has always been afraid of evil and evil spirits. In all parts of the world, it is possible to come across rituals for keeping evil spirits away. The evil eyes is believed to cause harm to someone or something. Supernatural harm may come in the form of minor misfortunes, as well as more serious diseases, injuries or even death.
Today we will discuss few of them that are practices around the globe.
Pakistan’s amulets and burning red chilies
In Pakistan Islam prevails as a dominant religion. But we have an ancient history with Hindus, Sikhs, Turkish bruisers, etc. So apart from evil eyes recitation that has told us by Prophet (SAW). We also practices few costumes that we learn from other cultures and religions.
The most common rituals you will find in households are amulets, burning chilies, throwing eggs, throwing meat at birds, etc. We believe that these practices will save us from the evil eye and we will prosper in our lives happily and peacefully.
Indian Mirchi Limu totka
Have you ever noticed lemon and chillies being tied together at the doorway of some of your neighbours houses? That is the Nimbu-Mirchi Totka, and it’s used to ward off the “Evil Eye”, which can bring in a negative to the household.
It is believed that the Nimbu-Mirchi-Totka is there to keep Alakshmi, sister of Goddess Lakshmi away. Alakshmi is believed to bring poverty and misery, and likes sour, pungent and spicy things. The lemon and chillies are tied outside so she stays there to satisfy her hunger. And then walks away without casting her evil eye into the house.
Turkish Blue Eye for evil eyes Pendant
While Turkey is famous for its belief in the “evil eye”, in Turkish nazar boncuğu. As any visitor will see from the vast array of the beautiful blue, white and black beads that resemble eyes that are literally hanging around everywhere. A lesser-known tradition in Turkey is the practice of pouring lead to ward off any evil that may come your way from envious eyes.
The most prevalent superstition one will see in Turkey as is the case in many parts of the world, is definitely knocking on wood three times to protect from any sort of malevolence. However, in Turkey they take the practice one step further by pulling on an earlobe three times, or just once. And then combining the move with knocking on wood as a means of protection from evil.
Knockings on Wood (Touchwood) in Britian
Any list of superstitions would have to begin with arguably the most well-known and universal superstition: ‘to knock on wood.’
The actual origins, and even meanings, of the phrase are as varied as the cultures which use it. With some suggesting roots in the Indo-European or Celtic belief that spirits good and bad resided in trees who could be either called upon for protection or chased away by knocking on their home. And others (particularly Christians) linking the practice to the magical power of the wooden Crucifix. Most likely among the different theories, historians have attributed the superstition to a 19th-century British children’s game called “Tiggy Touchwood”. In which young players claimed immunity from being tagged by touching the nearest piece of wood. Adults picked up on the habit and the phrase (the British still say “touch wood” today), and the rest is history.
As with many superstitions, there are subtle variations and sometimes not so subtle varying origins. Italians ‘touch steel’ rather than wood. .erhaps more related to iron horseshoes. Poles and Russians touch unpainted wood, Turks knock twice, Latin American knock on wood with no legs (i.e. chairs). It’s best to memorize them all before traveling.
Throwing salt on left shoulder
Superstitions about salt date back to biblical times when salt was a highly prized commodity as it was crucial in preserving food, even used instead of currency. So spilling salt was considered an almost sacrilegious offense and throwing salt over your shoulder at such a moment was, like blessing someone after they’ve sneezed, aimed to “keep the devil at bay”.
Depending on your interpretation, the salt is either intended to blind the devil so he can’t witness your error, or keep him from sneaking up on you while you’re cleaning up your mess. It’s important to note that the superstition calls for the offender to throw salt over the left (or “sinistra” – sinister) shoulder ie the devil’s side with your right hand (your “good” side). Commonly practiced by jews and other ancient cultures.