For this cultural post, I thought I would focus and talk about the “evil eye” which is the nazar boncugu. Nazar is a word that is derived from Arabic. Nazar means sight. The nazar is an eye-shaped amulet or bead which is believed to protect an individual from the evil eye. Additionally, it is believed that the Nazar Boncuk absorbs bad energy around you.
Usually, a nazar is made of handmade glass feature a teardrop shape in dark blue, white, light blue, and black. The bead looks like an eye. Traditionally, the Turkish boncuk (eye bead) was a blue glass piece with a blue or black dot in the center which was white or yellow. There are many speculations about why the color blue is used. Although there is no confirmed story, some say that blue is used because the sky is blue and symbolizes a new and bright day. Others say that people with blue eyes in Middle Eastern countries have extreme power and consciously or subconsciously inflict evil onto other people.
Researchers believe that the bead originated in the Mediterranean. Some suggest its origins from Medusa’s evil eyes. The interesting fact is that the glass art used to make the eye bead has changed very little or almost not at all for thousands of years. The symbol is a very important symbol in modern culture. For example, the Turkish airline, Fly Air, has the symbol on the tailfins of their airplanes. It was also used as the logo of the 2013 FIFA U-20 World cup.
If the glass bead breaks, Turkish people believe that the bead successfully protected you from an evil-eye that you are unaware of. The broken evil eye serves as a signal to let you know that the danger is over.
The Nazar Boncuk is not affiliated with a religion, nor does it bring good luck. Simply, it is a charm and belief against a superstition. I actually received a Nazar Boncuk from Merve, a Turkish Fulbright that I had the privilege of meeting. Merve gave me a Nazar Boncuk to protect me from bad energy that may stem from people around me. I still have it in my backpack to this day!
Apparently, the Nazar Boncuk is the most sold tourist item in Turkey. I have read many articles that you can find the Evil Eye everywhere in Turkey! Also, the Evil Eye is given to others at births, weddings, a purchase of a new home, a start of a new business, and so many other occasions! The Evil Eye also exists in other cultures which is very interesting. You can find the Evil Eye in not only bead forms, but also in the forms of plates, necklaces, bracelets, ornaments, and key-rings. Some Turkish people even wear the Evil Eye as a badge on their clothing. As the art form has survived almost unchanged throughout thousands of years, it is not only a simple charm, but it is an amazing artifact of history and culture.
Replies
Thank you for sharing this! I have seen this in a lot of jewelry and decoration and never knew what this was. It is so interesting how much history there is in a simple piece of jewelry and how it has been passed on and kept its form for such a long period of time!
I have seen similar jewelry in different places, but I never know the evil eye is its name and the cultural representation behind it. I really like the pictures in your cultural post, and how it is used as a logo for the airline in Turkey. Because of Turkish people that the bead has the power to protect you, it is very clear why evil eyes are used on different airlines.
Hi Brenda, it was really interesting to be able to read about the "evil eye" jewelry and its origins as the nazar boncugo. It was cool to learn the history of nazar and how the material is made. I had no idea it had that much meaning in the blue of the nazar. The meaning of the jewelry being broken was also new to me because I only knew of superstitions like wearing pearls brought bad luck and wearing a gemstone that isn't your birth month also brought bad luck
Hi Brenda!
I've also seen the "evil eye" jewelry in many places, but I never learned what it symbolizes and the cultural meaning behind it. I'm intrigued by the belief that the bead could protect people from an evil-eye that they are unaware of. It also reminds me of jade's symbolization in eastern culture. Some also believe jade jewelry would be broken because it took up the damage that could be done to its owner. Thanks for sharing this!
Hi Brenda!
I vividly remember during the beginning of the fall semester my junior year walking through the international center commons and I actually ended up talking to the Turkish Fulbright teacher (I think it may have been Merve) from the SDLC program. We had a really nice conversation and she actually gave me some Turkish candy and a small "evil eye" bead with a pin that I put on my backpack. I thought it was really beautiful and I loved reading about the actual bead in your insightful post. I'm also glad to learn the actual name is nazar boncugu. I think it's so cool that this bead and symbol are meant to ward off the bad and help protect you and it made me think of dream catchers. Blue is one of my favorite colors so it was cool to learn about its symbolism. My bead actually broke so I was happy to read that that just means the bead did its job! The evil eye is so beautiful so thank you for sharing. Great post, Brenda!
Brenda,
This is such a great post. Over the summer, my roommate was actually Turkish. She had a whole bunch of jewelry with the "evil eye" that you mention. I find the charm to be so beautiful. I love that you carry around the Nazar Boncuk given to you till this day. Similarly, I have a bracelet from my Turkish friend's mother from when she visited Turkey. Even if I am not wearing the bracelet, I always keep it with me; it's comforting. I had no idea that even if the glass beads break, it comes with a positive outlook that it has protected us from an evil eye we may be unaware of. Recently, in my online shopping endeavors, I have ended up finding the evil eye on various accessories. It was quite shocking at first since I was unaware the evil eye existed in other cultures. This is very interesting. Thank you for sharing the history and meaning behind the evil eye. I loved this post!