The evil eye, known as "mati" in Greek, "mal de ojo" in Spanish, and "nazar" in Turkish, is one of the oldest and most widespread protective symbols in human history. Dating back at least 5,000 years, this distinctive blue and white concentric circle design represents a watchful eye that deflects malevolent gazes and negative energy.
The belief centers on the idea that certain individuals can cause harm through envious or admiring looks, whether intentionally or unintentionally. When someone looks at something beautiful or precious with intense desire or jealousy, they may inadvertently cast the "evil eye," bringing bad luck, illness, or misfortune to the object of their attention.
The protective evil eye symbol works by staring back at these harmful gazes, essentially "reflecting" the negative energy away from the wearer. Think of it as a spiritual shield that watches over its bearer, turning away bad intentions before they can cause harm.