This is by far the most famous
of all Greek superstitions with very old roots in Hellenic culture from the
time of paganism. Paintings of Greek triremes over two thousand years
ago have an eye painted at the front of the trireme in an attempt to ward
off the Evil Eye. The Evil Eye is known widely throughout Greece and
the Greek Islands. The Evil Eye is said to be able to strike
anywhere without notice and no one can be the wiser.
Think back to a time when
someone complemented you on how nice you looked only for you to have a
painful headache immediately after. Happenings such as this are attributed
to the Evil Eye.
To ward off the Evil Eye several
things can be done. An eye is painted into the middle of a blue charm,
this charm is then worn as a necklace or as a bracelet. Blue beads can
also be worn instead of the eye charm in the form of a necklace or
bracelet. The reason the color blue and the painted eye are used is that
both are thought to ward off the evil of the eye. Unfortunately people
who have blue eyes are thought to be exceptional givers of it. In such,
believers of the Evil Eye are weary of compliments received from a blue eyed
person.
It is also said that a clove of
garlic has the ability to ward of the evil eye. Many people keep the
clove of garlic in their clothes or in their pockets.
It is customary for Greeks to
spit towards someone if they pay them a compliment. Sometimes they will spit
three times, a symbolism of the using of the Holy Trinity to defend against
the eye. This custom of spitting has its roots in the Evil Eye.
The spitting is an attempt to ward of the evil of the eye.
The Greek Orthodox Church also
believes in the evil eye, and they refer to it as "Vaskania".
There are people who are said to know how to remove the eye from someone who
is affected. The Greek Orthodox church strictly forbids this.
The church sees this as dangerous ground, and only a priest has the power to
read a person in an attempt to remove the eye. However, Greeks openly
practice the removing off the eye against the wishes of the Church.
The church fears that attempts to remove the eye can result in possession.
Believers of the evil eye should understand that the person who is
attempting to remove the eye should be using the method that the
church uses, and not some custom that has been passed down generation to
generation. Many of the readings that are passed down have their roots in
paganism and do not adhere to Orthodoxy, the church attempts to guard
against these readings.
Watch out for that Evil Eye!