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Blue Eyes in Turkey

01.04.2021
Reading time: 8 minutes
1805
Summary

Blue eyes or Nazar Boncugu in Turkish refers to a very traditional item in Turkey, it's a blue bead used as a talisman which is believed that it would protect you against the evil eye. The evil-eye superstition comes from very early times and it can be found in most of the cultures in the world. To prevent this unfortunate thing, Turks invented blue beads which look like an eye that looks straight back at the spell-caster. So Turkish blue eyes would guard you from any negative energy or from jealous looks of others for example.

Nazar boncugu originated in Turkey. Derived from Arabic terms, 'nazar' means 'sight' and 'boncuk', or 'boncugu', means beads. Thus, it’s a bead of the blue eye.

The Turkish type of the nazar boncugu depicts it as a circle of dark blue glass with 3 smaller circles set within it. These are white “eyeball”, light blue “iris”, and black “pupil” at the center. The Nazar bead has usually around shapes, but it comes in all sizes and all kinds of shapes and decorations; sometimes as a keychain, photo frame, bracelet, inscriptions, refrigerator magnet, and so on.

Turkish Blue Eyes

Turkish blue eyes are a cultural thing that has over 500 years of history and is still used all around the country, especially for a newborn baby, a brand new car, or even a newly built house to keep that bad energy away.

Actually, not only in Turkey, the Turkish evil blue eye can be seen on bracelets, necklaces, and other forms of jewelry almost across the entire world, especially among Jewish, Muslim, and Christian cultures. The jewelry shops aren't the only places where you'll see this symbol as a good number of Turkish people have it hanging up in their houses, shops, offices, and cars as a part of their life.

For example, if you go to Cappadocia in Turkey, you'll find these symbols even hanging at trees. This phenomenon is more than an aesthetic accessory, however. This has a fascinating history and meaning behind it.

Why is the Turkish Nazar Boncuk blue?

Turkish blue eyes are usually made of blue glass, with white and yellow or white and blue again circles inside, that would be a typical Turkish Nazar Boncuk. But there are other colors too, fashionable ones such as white color with blue circles inside. However, blue is always the traditional color of the Turkish nazar bead. 

The blue color probably comes from the influence of the Byzantines.  Blue was the color of heaven and water, it was sacred. It symbolized the infinite, the divine, the spiritual, and also evoked peace, calm.

Another belief that 'evil eye bead' or 'Evil eye bead' should be of blue color was probably influenced by Greek philosopher Plutarch, who said that those best at delivering the evil eye curse were blue-eyed. Also, it is likely because blue eyes are a genetic rarity in the Mediterranean area. In the other hand, the depiction of blue Eye of Horus discovered in Egypt and the connection of the color itself with Tengri, a sky deity of ancient Turks and Mongols, likely influenced the symbolism.

Why is the Turkish Nazar Boncuk blue?

Different Color Turkish Nazar Boncugu

In many cultures that believe in the Nazar boncuk, the most popular color is blue. But over the years many other colors have come to symbolize different meanings. Here are some of the most popular colors that Nazar Boncuks are available in and the meanings behind them.

Red Nazar Boncuk:

  • Gives Energy and Enthusiasm
  • It encourages
  • Protects from fear and anxiety
  • Confidence to go after your dream

Orange Nazar Boncuk:

  • For protection and happiness
  • Increases playfulness and creativity
  • Provides motivation and commitment

White Nazar Boncuk:

  • Brings about mental clarity
  • Clears obstacles
  • Gives focus and purity
  • Starts a fresh beginning

Pink Nazar Boncuk:

  • Provides relaxation
  • Neutralizes disorder
  • Friendship protection
  • Gives a calming feeling

Dark green Nazar Boncuk:

  • Brings balance to your life
  • Promotes happiness
  • Gives the freedom to chase new dreams
  • Increases personal power

Purple Nazar Boncuk:

  • Removes obstacles in the path
  • Boosts imagination
  • Re-balances your life

Yellow or Gold Nazar Boncuk:

  • Protects your health
  • Reliefs from exhaustion and panic
  • Sharper mind and concentration

Different Color Turkish Nazar Boncugu

History of the Evil Blue Eyes

Almost every civilization has attempted to express evil blue eyes using amulets such as Turkey use Nazar Boncugu.

The Turks were shamanist nomads who traveled through Asia before arriving in Anatolia. This may be the reason why the Turkish Nazar Boncuk is the synthesis made by the Turks of the ancestral traditions of the countries they crossed to represent the amulet protecting them from the evil eye.
The belief in the evil eye is widespread in Judeo-Christian culture, it is quoted in the Old Testament but also in the Koran.
But this symbol could be way older than all of this. Already in ancient Egypt, the eye of Horus was painted in blue to bring good luck to the souls of the dead on their journey to the afterlife. The Egyptians were obsessed with this eye, they even put their makeup on the eyes with Kohl to prevent an evil spirit from taking possession of their body. 
Another amulet that is often associated called Khamsa, which is very common in North Africa and the Middle East, it’s an open hand with five fingers and an eye in the middle. This ancient symbol goes back to antiquity and the Punic religion where it was associated with the goddess Tanit
The ancient Greeks also painted it on the bow of their ships to protect their boats from the wrath of Poseidon.

Evil Blue Eyes in Different Cultures

Across the World, various cultures and countries have witnessed the appearance of the evil eye and its negative impacts. In every culture, the evil eye has been explained in multiple terms. Here is everything you need to know about this evil eye curse and its protection rituals.

Blue Evil Eye in Turkey

In Turkey, the blue evil eye protection charm is known as Nazar Boncuk. It is an ancient talisman made with glass or crystal consisting of dark blue or light blue concentric circles with yellow, white, and black eye dots in the center.

According to the belief of the Turkish people, when someone is jealous of something or someone, they cast a vicious glance to harm that person/object.
The Turkish people believe that; this protection amulet holds enough power to ward off all the dark energies and ill intentions cast on them and their belongings. That is why you can often witness this evil eye protection charm hanging on doors, buildings, offices, and trees in Turkey.
History of the Evil Blue Eyes

Blue Evil Eye in Greece

In Greek, the evil eye is referred to as máti. The appearance of the evil eye was first witnessed as an Apotropaic Magic in Greece in 6th BC on the antique glasses known as "Eye Cups".In ancient Greek literature, it is believed that people with blue eyes often cast evil eye glares at something or someone out of envy. This glare includes negative energies or emotions like jealousy, anger, and revenge.
Many Greek people believe that the evil blue eye curse gets triggered by a newborn baby as the baby drives attention and praise. That is why people spit on the ground when praising the baby and make a ‘flou flou’ to ward off jealously glance.
They believe that the blue color plays a crucial role in warding off the negative impact of the curse. Thus the brides add blue color to their attire or wear blue evil eye jewelry. Similarly, newborn babies wear blue evil eye bracelets for protection. Apart from the evil eye protection amulet and jewelry, the people often take the help of prayers and spitting methods to ward off the curse.

Blue Evil Eye in England, Scotland and Ireland

In Medieval Europe and the United Kingdom, people believe that the evil glance of a person leads to deadly effects. There are several modes in which an evil eye can be cast upon something or someone.
If you meet someone with an evil eye, your whole day gets ruined. Or if someone with an evil eye fixes their glare on animals, its negative impacts can only be warded off with a powerful protection charm. In Ireland, seeing a single magpie is an indication of an evil eye.
To keep the evil glance away from their loved ones and precious belongings, people usually say phrases like "God Bless It" or "The blessing of God be on you and your labors".People also wear black patches under their eyes to protect themselves from an evil glances.

Blue Evil Eye in Italy

In Italian culture, the evil eye superstition is known as Il Malocchio. People in Italy believe that IL Malocchio is someone by staring at them with a glare filled with jealousy, leading to misfortune and bad things.
As Malocchio is considered harmful in Italian culture, people use various sacred rituals and amulets to ward off this curse. For example: when someone talks about something with pride, they use an expression called "facendo corna'' with their hands by making a horn sign by raising the forefinger and the little finger.
The horn signs play a crucial role in warding off the evil eye curse. That is why people also hang or wear Horn-shaped red color protective amulets, known as "Cornetti". Cornetti usually look like a hot red pepper due to its shape and color, and it is commonly found everywhere, hanging in vehicles or outside buildings in Italy.
To find out whether a person is afflicted with Malocchio or not, the healer takes some water in a bowl and puts a few drops of oil in it. Usually, the oil floats, but in the case of Nazar, the drops will sink, indicating the evil eye. Once the Nazar is confirmed, people use milk and herbs like basil to ward off the curse.
History of the Evil Blue Eyes-1

Blue Evil Eye in Spain and Latin America (Mexico, Puerto Rico, Guatemala)

In Spanish, the term Mal De Ojo is used for the evil blue eye curse.  People of Latin America believe that Mal De Ojo is an intense evil glance filled with jealousy, admiration, or envy directed at vulnerable people like infants, pregnant ladies, and kids.
There is one traditional ritual in Latin America to ward off the evil glance or curses using raw eggs. In this ritual:
The healer sweeps a raw egg over the body of the victim to absorb the evil eye power. If the egg gets cooked immediately or the next morning after placing it under the patient's bed, it means the egg has the Mal De Ojo, which was afflicting the person. Once the evil eye gets transferred into the egg from the victim, the patient starts feeling good.

Turkish Blue Eyes Meaning

According to common belief, a glare of jealousy whether intentional or unintentional can cast a curse. In different cultures, various amulets and talisman like Nazar boncuk are believed to give spiritual protection. 
Whether someone believes in the evil eye or not, Nazar boncugu has become a sort of lucky charm to bring good fortune and comfort, as well as to relieve stress and anxiety. It’s important to remember that the Nazar boncugu isn’t the evil eye itself; rather it repels the evil eye.
The Nazar boncugu has now become an emoji. The Nazar boncugu emoji was created in 2018, symbolizes protection and good luck, and evokes Turkish culture.

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