The “Evil Eye” Tradition

The traditional Greek belief in the evil eye dates back to at least the sixth century BC, during Classical Antiquity, a period that encompassed the Classical Era in Ancient Greece, when the concept often appeared on drinking vessels. At that time, Greek civilization was at its intellectual peak. A common theme in literature was the idea that the eyes emitted deadly rays capable of harming others. Plutarch, the ancient Greek writer, was among those who described this concept. The belief in the evil eye spread further as Alexander the Great introduced Greek culture to the East. The Greek Orthodox Church has acknowledged the concept of the kako mati, or evil eye, since the early days of the faith. The Church refers to it as Vaskania (pronounced Vas-ka-nee-a) and offers a special prayer to cure those affected by this curse.

Understanding the Evil Eye

The evil eye is deeply rooted in Greek culture. It is believed that anyone can become a victim of it at any time. The mati, or evil eye curse, is thought to result from another person’s envious compliment or jealous glance. When someone is affected by the evil eye, they may experience physical or emotional discomfort, or they may encounter sudden misfortune. For example, someone might compliment your appearance, and moments later, you spill coffee on yourself. Or someone praises your beautiful vase, and shortly after, it falls and breaks. Greeks also believe that children are especially vulnerable. When babies are born, a blue-eye charm is often pinned to their pillow to protect them from harm. If you suddenly feel weak, experience headaches, or fall ill without a clear reason, many Greeks will say you have been affected by the evil eye, or you are matiasmenos, meaning the eye has been placed upon you.

The Symbolism of Blue

Light blue, the color of the sky, symbolizes truth and is believed to offer direct protection against the evil eye. Dark blue represents water, which is considered a universal solvent, capable of dissolving negativity and cleansing the spirit.

What Can You Do About It?

If you believe you have been affected by the evil eye, there are traditional ways to remove the curse. In many Greek homes, blue-eye charms can be found everywhere. We have several in our home as well. These charms are not only beautiful but also meaningful, representing love and protection for family and friends. They are commonly placed in homes, cars, offices, schools, or worn on the body as jewelry to provide protection. The belief is that the eye symbol reflects negative energy and deflects it away. Charms may come in the form of necklaces, bracelets, rings, wall hangings, decorative art, pillows, and komboloi, which are worry beads often carried by Greek men.

Greek eye charms are beautiful and meaningful. If keeping them in our homes and wearing them brings even a small sense of comfort and protection, then... why not!

Traditional Remedies

To remove the curse, many people turn to a Greek grandparent or elder who knows the appropriate prayer. The ritual, called Xematiasma, involves saying a specific prayer while using the name of the affected person. A deep dish filled with water is prepared, and a drop of olive oil is added. The healer performs the sign of the cross three times and spits into the air three times to complete the ritual.

Spitting is considered a traditional method of warding off misfortune and negative energy. For instance, when someone talks about bad news, such as a death or accident, others may spit lightly three times while saying “ftou ftou ftou” to chase away the negativity. Similarly, if someone gives a compliment, especially to a baby or a child, they may also spit lightly three times to protect the person from any unintended harm. It is a way of showing that the compliment is genuine and free of envy.