Cultural Post 5 - Cultural Product

[David Mowry]

The nazar (or nazar boncuğu) is a ubiquitous symbol throughout Turkey. In English, it is referred to as the "Evil Eye bead," which comes from its purported ability to protect against the evil eye. The bead is seen as a means to protect against evil forces, especially from envy. The bead (or sticker, or fridge decoration, etc etc) is placed in the home in order to protect against theft. It is worn as jewelry to keep from physical harm. Some Turks even place it above the bathroom door in order to keep creepy gazes from intruding. The bead is supposed to literally deflect the negative glances of those wishing to do harm.

The beads can be bought almost anywhere, especially in sidewalk trinket shops and bazaars (çarşı) in larger cities. Of course, there are artisans and glass-blowers who craft the evil eye artfully and carefully. Usually, however, the evil eye is placed or worn as an accessory used more for its symbolic value than its intrinsic artistic worth. To this end, the nazar can be found on charm bracelets, earrings, safety pins, clothing and a whole host of other styles, all often very inexpensive.

Here is a tree in Kapadokya that is a popular destination for tour groups. Its branches are full of nazar beads:

Maşallah :)