The Evil Eye shows up as a powerful talisman throughout much of recorded history, and across a staggering expanse of different cultures and countries. A talisman, for those new to the concept, is a symbol or object that protects one against evil or carries good luck, positive energy, and protection for the holder.
When I was in grad school I spent a good 6 months playing around with thesis ideas centered around this concept (before saying F it and moving onto a boat and having 3 kids instead of writing said thesis, but that’s a story for another day…), so needless to say I love this topic!
The beginnings of the Evil Eye- The origin of the idea is rooted in many religions, from Islam to Buddhism, Judaism, early Christianity and even Hinduism, as well as smaller less populous religions like the Alawites. Beyond “religion” as we think of it today, the evil eye is involved in many important pagan traditions across a wide expanse of cultures. From Mesopotamia to early Greece, Assyria, Scotland, African and Pacific Island nations, the evil eye has been seemingly making its way around the world in various forms since as early as 5000 BCE.
What is it, exactly? The evil eye is a symbol built upon the premise that, if one looks with jealousy, envy or malice upon another person—or even, in some traditions, intense admiration—then the object of that gaze or attention is marked with bad luck. Note that the one looking with envy does not need to have bad intentions toward the recipient. In Greece it has even been thought that a baby who was on the receiving end of an adoring gaze from a stranger, could be marked with the evil eye. Many mothers will pin an evil eye symbol, therefore, inside a baby carriage or on a baby’s clothing, to ward off any unwanted energy. The symbol, then, is what protects us from the evil stare, meaning the term “evil eye” is more referring to what the symbol is protecting us from, than the symbol itself. The eye symbol itself is not evil, but rather a symbol of protection and luck.
And why these specific products? Since we never can truly know when we might be “struck” with the evil eye, it has been considered a smart practice to proactively protect ourselves by keeping these symbols on our bodies or in our homes. Thus was born my Evil Eye Print, Throw, and Wallpaper. What better way to ensure one’s luck and protection than with beautiful art for your home? Since some traditions even maintain that its luck is magnified when the evil eye symbol is given as a gift, this makes the perfect housewarming, hostess, or anytime gift.
Personally, I love to layer my home with symbols that not only offer protection and luck, but also symbols that help move me toward my goals, or offer a certain level of peace. This is what drives many of my creations, even my oil landscapes. The wide open expanses of dunes, the open roads through nature, they all bring to me a feeling of freedom and advancement. When I began to expand into other home items aside from paintings, I knew it was important that each one offered these same connections between where I have been, and where I want to be going. It is my hope that they offer the same to you and your clients or loved ones.
Do you love the evil eye, or have a story where it has meant something specific to you? I would love to hear!