What is the Protective Evil Eye? What is the Evil Eye of Envy?

-article by melaniekaren

Protection Against the Evil Eye - The Evil Eye of Envy

image credit - a photo of an evil eye tree in Turkey by "Curious Expeditions" -
A evil eye tree is said to protect one's home and land. In Asia, particularly with Feng Shui, an evil eye tree
is an evil eye "money" tree, bringing protection from harm, good luck, and good fortune.

The Evil Eye for many is misunderstood, particularly here in the United States. Many believe an evil eye represented in a piece of jewelry, charm, amulet or other representation in itself is negative - or evil. However, this is untrue, and in fact, it is quite the opposite.

When you see someone with an evil eye ring, for example, that evil eye is meant as protection against the "evil eye look" of another person, that is the evil eye of envy. The eye, when envious, has a particularly unique evil look to it. You've seen it. We all have. Someone may be spying on something of yours that he or she wants or is envious of. The evil eye in one's ring, necklace or other ornamental expression is meant to ward off that envious eye.

Today, those who wear or have an evil eye protective item may not necessarily believe in the literal beliefs surrounding the origin of the evil eye. Heck, many aren't even aware of its origin but still like to wear an evil eye. Some just simply like the positive aspects of protecting themselves and loved ones. It's a nice gesture and feeling. Others, may simply just really like symbolic jewelry based on ancient symbolism. Whatever brought you to this article, I hope you are enjoying learning about the Evil Eye and its meaning and origin.

Click pic to see on AMAZON

A Beautiful Evil Eye Pendant

An Example of a Traditional Evil Eye 

Pictured right is my first top pick in jewelry, a gorgeous Greek Key Theme Double Sided Evil Eye Pendant In Sterling Silver -18 Karat Gold Overlay protective evil eye.  It looks expensive, but it is not!  If you prefer the look of silver, it's available in that too.

With a continuous rise and interest in bringing the esoteric into light, ancient jewelry with meaning is becoming more common to find.

Many of the jewelry pieces are very well designed. In fact, it was in the late 90's when I discovered that the evil eye was getting a lot of attention by several higher-end jewelry designers. Evil eye fine jewelry was becoming available, and there was a market for it. The pieces were unique and symbolic.

image credit - photo by Gary Jungling titled, "Evil Eye"

What is the Evil Eye? -an evil eye of envy

The evil eye is not the amulet or charm itself. The evil eye is a look of envy from someone who admires something you have that they want even to the point of causing harm to get it. People believed (and some to this day) that the person who caste an envious eye had the magical powers to covet their source of envy. Thus, the evil eye of protection protected the victim even if the victim wasn't aware. The protective evil eye was aware.

The original or traditional evil eyes are blue. This is simply due to the fact that most people from cultures centered around the Mediterranean and into the South and East commonly had brown eyes. Blues eyes (and green eyes) were uncommon. Blue eyes were feared. Thus, an evil blue eye charm fought back against an evil blue eye. An example of this you might already be aware of is with the notion of gargoyles. It's a kind of fighting evil with evil. Of course, today, we now know that blue and green eyes are just pretty to look at and can be quite lovely.

Origin of the Evil Eye - An Evil Eye History

The notion of warding off the evil eye of envy with a protective evil eye charm dates back to the ancient Greeks, and it continued into the Roman Empire and can be seen in various classical writings of the time. At a time when it was generally believed one could cause harm to another by way of spell casting or other meta-physical means, protecting oneself was important. It continued to be important through the centuries as beliefs in the magical negative powers of the evil eye stare continued to grow and branch-out across Europe, down into Africa, across into Asia, and eventually into the Americas.

To this day, the concept of the evil eye with its original beliefs is still strong within the Middle East and other parts centered around the Mediterranean.

Again, the evil eye symbolized "envy," and envy to this day, is a human emotion we all try to suppress. You've heard of the seven deadly sins. Envy is number 6.

Hopefully now, you have a better understanding of the Evil Eye.  Thank you for reading, and enjoy your day. :)