The range of the Evil Eye extends beyond all boundaries and instills fear across cultures. "The Evil eye is a belief that the envy elicited by the good luck of fortunate people may result in their misfortune." - Wikipedia
This week I was invited to a beauty parlor opening ceremony where I observed new methods to ward of the evil eye. The owners were Syrians settled in Germany and finally moved to Belgium. I dont know which of these cultures influenced them to break wine bottles by hitting them against each other as a symbolic gesture to ward of the Evil eye! I've heard of clinking glasses but this was something new to me and obviously lots of fun especially when we all got very dirty with the wine and champagne flowing all over the place and spilling onto us. Later, all the close friends were also asked to break some more bottles. I understood that the more noise we made there were better chances to drive away the evil - whoever or whatever that was! This was followed by lots of singing and dancing and shouting and general masti.
Reminded me a lot about the Indian house warming ceremonies where we break tons of coconuts, invite friends and pray to Ganesha and do Vasthu Shanthi puja followed by Satyanaryana Vratam! Man that's a lot of work and sure shot means of getting dog tired! But it's considered a MUST to drive away the evil.
Some interesting and other common methods to ward off an evil eye are - Apotropaic Talismans - Greece, Nazar Talismans - Turkey, amulets, Blue concentric cirlces on the Hamsa Hand - Middle East, Cornicello in Italy, The fish of the Jews, The Arthi by the Indians, The Eye of Horus in Egypt, 'Mashallah' by the Muslims, and many more jewelry and trinkets, etc. The easiest way is to say Touch wood after you say something which might invite the evil eye!
These have been used over centuries and are followed religiously for all events and situations where its felt necessary to ward off an evil eye. It might sound illogical in this Modern scientific world and some of us may laugh it off by calling them traditional superstitions. However, the fact remains that 95% of the world still follows THESE very same rituals and traditions. (source Wiki).
Knock on wood my attempts to research and write continue...
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