The Protective Eye
The Blue Protective Eye, also known as "Nazar Boncuk" in Turkey or "Matiasma" in Greece, has been used as a lucky charm for centuries by Mediterranean peoples (Turkey, Armenia, Iran, Greece) to protect themselves from the evil eye.
This symbol is supposed to scrutinize the world around the person who wears it, and act as a shield against the evil eye that could be cast upon them. It is both a talisman of protection and a lucky charm.
Very superstitious, the Greeks protect themselves from the evil eye by representing this distinctive sign almost everywhere: on boats, on the walls of houses near the entrance, worn as jewelry or hung on the rearview mirror of their car, in babies' cradles...
In Turkey, Nazar Boncuk lucky charms are deeply rooted in everyday life and have a profound symbolic meaning etched in the culture. Nazar Boncuk wards off anything that might provoke greed, jealousy, or malice.
Raised to the rank of talisman in the 18th century, the Blue Eye serves as a decoy and must attract the gaze of the jealous or envious person to ward off its harmful effects. When the symbol breaks, it is a good sign, it means that it has fulfilled its role: the evil eye has been avoided. It must then be replaced to protect against future attacks of the same type.
This lucky talisman is present today in many cultures around the world. Among Westerners, it is a well-established trend and is constantly being reinvented.
