The Evil Eye and other Superstitions
Discussion
Out on a walk yesterday I spotted a house with the front door 'protected' by charms in the shape of an eye.
I had a slight inkling as to what they are; a quick search on the web confirmed. The name of this 'protector against the evil eye' varies as it is used and recognised around the world. According to Wikipedia something like 40% of the world believe that receiving the evil eye will cause misfortune or injury or for it to be a kind of supernatural force that casts or reflects a malevolent gaze back upon those who wish harm upon others.
It reminded me of a conversation I had once with a cab driver, who had all kinds of paraphernalia in and around his car. His steering wheel was wrapped in beads and there was one of these 'hamsas' dangling from the rear view mirror. It protected him from the 'Jinn', apparently, and the beads helped him drive safe. As much as I (politely) challenged his view, his driving 'safety' was wholly down to the beads and nothing to do with him actually being a good driver/being experienced/having ABS etc., etc. The hamsa was also there for protection but he also said that the glasses he was wearing were non-prescription and worn only for extra protection as the Jinn wants to enter and possess your soul; the only way 'in' is through your eyes "but it cannot if you wear glasses".
These beliefs and practices do fascinate (and often entertain) me, but they are a bit bonkers and I always see them from an objective point of view. I can't say I have any superstitions myself, probably because I do not subscribe to a religion.
Are you one of the 40%? Are you superstitious? Have you been affected by the evil eye?
I had a slight inkling as to what they are; a quick search on the web confirmed. The name of this 'protector against the evil eye' varies as it is used and recognised around the world. According to Wikipedia something like 40% of the world believe that receiving the evil eye will cause misfortune or injury or for it to be a kind of supernatural force that casts or reflects a malevolent gaze back upon those who wish harm upon others.
It reminded me of a conversation I had once with a cab driver, who had all kinds of paraphernalia in and around his car. His steering wheel was wrapped in beads and there was one of these 'hamsas' dangling from the rear view mirror. It protected him from the 'Jinn', apparently, and the beads helped him drive safe. As much as I (politely) challenged his view, his driving 'safety' was wholly down to the beads and nothing to do with him actually being a good driver/being experienced/having ABS etc., etc. The hamsa was also there for protection but he also said that the glasses he was wearing were non-prescription and worn only for extra protection as the Jinn wants to enter and possess your soul; the only way 'in' is through your eyes "but it cannot if you wear glasses".
These beliefs and practices do fascinate (and often entertain) me, but they are a bit bonkers and I always see them from an objective point of view. I can't say I have any superstitions myself, probably because I do not subscribe to a religion.
Are you one of the 40%? Are you superstitious? Have you been affected by the evil eye?
4Q said:
My wife often gives me “the look”, I’m not sure if it’s an evil eye but you can be sure something bad’s coming my way.
Thats the 'stink eye' not the 'evil eye' although can occasionally be interchangeable.As for the superstition mumbo-jumbo, nope not a believer myself and its all completely unfounded in logic. That being said if it makes people happy / content / safer (by belief) then more power to them, I wouldn't rubbish it/them for that reason.
Star signs are a curious one and I am a 'typical Leo' apparently, as my ex-wife used to claim. Again though, I think this is people seeing what they want/expect to see.
Edited by alorotom on Friday 19th March 07:48
Glassman said:
It reminded me of a conversation I had once with a cab driver, who had all kinds of paraphernalia in and around his car. His steering wheel was wrapped in beads and there was one of these 'hamsas' dangling from the rear view mirror. It protected him from the 'Jinn', apparently, and the beads helped him drive safe. As much as I (politely) challenged his view, his driving 'safety' was wholly down to the beads and nothing to do with him actually being a good driver/being experienced/having ABS etc., etc. The hamsa was also there for protection but he also said that the glasses he was wearing were non-prescription and worn only for extra protection as the Jinn wants to enter and possess your soul; the only way 'in' is through your eyes "but it cannot if you wear glasses".
Does the cab driver have a vote as well?I worked in Italy in 2015
Usually got chauffeured around by my very friendly work mates there, genuine charming caring people.
We’d always go out for lunch which meant racing at bonkers speeds overtaking on blind corners etc etc, in this particular area there were shrines to people who’d died on various corners from crashing, they’d all do their religious cross thing to show respect at certain ones (guessing friends and family etc) their cars had all manor of religious nick nacks
One day I ended up driving, they were having fun with me because I wasn’t beeping and overtaking like they would. When they asked why I was driving so slowly and safely I said “well look at all these roadside shrines, the road looks dangerous, I will not overtake if I can’t see what’s coming” or there abouts
The look of pure confusion and then understanding was priceless
Really happy times there with those guys.
I then did some more mr bean impressions which they adored
Just outside Rome for those interested
Usually got chauffeured around by my very friendly work mates there, genuine charming caring people.
We’d always go out for lunch which meant racing at bonkers speeds overtaking on blind corners etc etc, in this particular area there were shrines to people who’d died on various corners from crashing, they’d all do their religious cross thing to show respect at certain ones (guessing friends and family etc) their cars had all manor of religious nick nacks
One day I ended up driving, they were having fun with me because I wasn’t beeping and overtaking like they would. When they asked why I was driving so slowly and safely I said “well look at all these roadside shrines, the road looks dangerous, I will not overtake if I can’t see what’s coming” or there abouts
The look of pure confusion and then understanding was priceless
Really happy times there with those guys.
I then did some more mr bean impressions which they adored
Just outside Rome for those interested
Spare tyre said:
I worked in Italy in 2015
Usually got chauffeured around by my very friendly work mates there, genuine charming caring people.
We’d always go out for lunch which meant racing at bonkers speeds overtaking on blind corners etc etc, in this particular area there were shrines to people who’d died on various corners from crashing, they’d all do their religious cross thing to show respect at certain ones (guessing friends and family etc) their cars had all manor of religious nick nacks
One day I ended up driving, they were having fun with me because I wasn’t beeping and overtaking like they would. When they asked why I was driving so slowly and safely I said “well look at all these roadside shrines, the road looks dangerous, I will not overtake if I can’t see what’s coming” or there abouts
The look of pure confusion and then understanding was priceless
Really happy times there with those guys.
I then did some more mr bean impressions which they adored
Just outside Rome for those interested
Italians, the only nation that makes driving in India look safe Usually got chauffeured around by my very friendly work mates there, genuine charming caring people.
We’d always go out for lunch which meant racing at bonkers speeds overtaking on blind corners etc etc, in this particular area there were shrines to people who’d died on various corners from crashing, they’d all do their religious cross thing to show respect at certain ones (guessing friends and family etc) their cars had all manor of religious nick nacks
One day I ended up driving, they were having fun with me because I wasn’t beeping and overtaking like they would. When they asked why I was driving so slowly and safely I said “well look at all these roadside shrines, the road looks dangerous, I will not overtake if I can’t see what’s coming” or there abouts
The look of pure confusion and then understanding was priceless
Really happy times there with those guys.
I then did some more mr bean impressions which they adored
Just outside Rome for those interested
BabySharkDooDooDooDooDooDoo said:
Spare tyre said:
I worked in Italy in 2015
Usually got chauffeured around by my very friendly work mates there, genuine charming caring people.
We’d always go out for lunch which meant racing at bonkers speeds overtaking on blind corners etc etc, in this particular area there were shrines to people who’d died on various corners from crashing, they’d all do their religious cross thing to show respect at certain ones (guessing friends and family etc) their cars had all manor of religious nick nacks
One day I ended up driving, they were having fun with me because I wasn’t beeping and overtaking like they would. When they asked why I was driving so slowly and safely I said “well look at all these roadside shrines, the road looks dangerous, I will not overtake if I can’t see what’s coming” or there abouts
The look of pure confusion and then understanding was priceless
Really happy times there with those guys.
I then did some more mr bean impressions which they adored
Just outside Rome for those interested
Italians, the only nation that makes driving in India look safe Usually got chauffeured around by my very friendly work mates there, genuine charming caring people.
We’d always go out for lunch which meant racing at bonkers speeds overtaking on blind corners etc etc, in this particular area there were shrines to people who’d died on various corners from crashing, they’d all do their religious cross thing to show respect at certain ones (guessing friends and family etc) their cars had all manor of religious nick nacks
One day I ended up driving, they were having fun with me because I wasn’t beeping and overtaking like they would. When they asked why I was driving so slowly and safely I said “well look at all these roadside shrines, the road looks dangerous, I will not overtake if I can’t see what’s coming” or there abouts
The look of pure confusion and then understanding was priceless
Really happy times there with those guys.
I then did some more mr bean impressions which they adored
Just outside Rome for those interested
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