Evil Eye Jewelry

[Anastasia13]

Is the best thing to throw it out?

[OnlySunshine]

I wouldn't buy jewelry with it.  I've been seeing it more and more lately at stores like TJ Maxx and other places.  It might be a good idea to get rid of anything that has it because it is attached to superstitious beliefs which are against what Christians belief.  I just think it's wise not to own anything like that unless it's solely for art or research.  ;)

[blazeingstar]

It's faddish and honestly something people will probably laugh at in a few years...much like emo dog collars of yesteryear.  It's probably not worth selling or melting, so throwing it out, if you're done with it, is not a bad idea.

[Anastasia13]

I've read that wearing it as a Christian is comparable to people who don't care about or respect what a cross means wearing one just because it is pretty, like a cross tattoo or belly peircing.

[blazeingstar]

I've read that wearing it as a Christian is comparable to people who don't care about or respect what a cross means wearing one just because it is pretty, like a cross tattoo or belly peircing.

 

 

The difference is that the cross is a symbol that has been used for 2000 years and the "evil eye" is some kind of knock off between the all seeing eye, the eye of saurn and the eye of ra "wadjet".  It's a modern, silly knock off...more like wearing happy bunny than some kind of symbol with another meaning.

[Anastasia13]

The difference is that the cross is a symbol that has been used for 2000 years and the "evil eye" is some kind of knock off between the all seeing eye, the eye of saurn and the eye of ra "wadjet".  It's a modern, silly knock off...more like wearing happy bunny than some kind of symbol with another meaning.

 

And your basis for this belief is?

[blazeingstar]

And your basis for this belief is?

 

Everything I learned about symbolism and marketing in my undergrad years.

 

To be a clear statement of faith and an understood symbol it should have 3 components

1) Universal understanding

2) Test of time

3) Clear association

 

The cross has a universal understanding (Christianity) test of time (2000 years) and clear association (Jesus) for most of the western world.  There are countries to whom crucifixion is still a very real form of punishment who really struggle with the cross as they saw their father/uncle/brother/son die on one.  But for the most part its understood.

 

The "evil eye"

1) No universal understanding--is it from a storybook?  Egypt? puritins? Islam?

2) test of time- no clear time association as of yet

3) clear association-who wears the "evil eye"  hipsters, emo, wiccians, LOTR Fans?

 

Besides the fact that it isn't at all clear if one wears the jelwery because they posess the evil eye, becuase they support the evil eye or because they are trying to protect themseves from teh evil eye.

 

In the scope of things the swastica barley makes the cut for an understandable symbol.  It's enduring the test of time...before Hitler took it over it was akin to the smily face.  (Now that the smily face was taken over by Wal-Mart it too may be a symbol for destruction in 100 years).  In reality its only western/modernized countries that understand this meaning.

[Selah]

I thought evil eye lore existed in Christianity as well.

 

I have one, but if you are talking about what I think you are, it's not evil eye, it protects against it.

 

Just a silly superstition.

[Anastasia13]

I thought evil eye lore existed in Christianity as well.

 

I have one, but if you are talking about what I think you are, it's not evil eye, it protects against it.

 

Just a silly superstition.

 

Yes, the blue eye thing, not the hamsa.

[Selah]

You mean this?

 

 

I have a bracelet with these on them.

[brandelynmarie]

Lol, I would personally get paranoid with all those wide open eyeballs staring up at me :p


But, I do have a question...especially concerning the All-Seeing Eye of God (the eye located within the top of a triangle). It's my understanding that a symbol can have multiple uses/meanings. So, for example seeing the All-Seeing Eye of God in a stained glass window in a Catholic Church would truly represent the Holy Trinity. But seeing it elsewhere, it could mean something less holy...Does a symbol depend upon intention, upon the viewer, or does it intrinsically have a primordial value that overrides everything else?

Sorry, I get deep thoughts when I'm sleepy. :blush:

[Selah]

I think it depends on intention. 

[brandelynmarie]

Hmmm...that could very well be true...thanks Selah :)

[Spem in alium]

I've read that wearing it as a Christian is comparable to people who don't care about or respect what a cross means wearing one just because it is pretty, like a cross tattoo or belly peircing.

I'd agree. A lot of people wear a cross very casually, which is quite unfortunate. I know someone who's worn the evil eye (for cultural reasons), and she seemed to be quite knowledgeable about what it means. 

[Anastasia13]

I'd agree. A lot of people wear a cross very casually, which is quite unfortunate. I know someone who's worn the evil eye (for cultural reasons), and she seemed to be quite knowledgeable about what it means. 

 

Can you ask her what she thinks?

[Anastasia13]

Everything I learned about symbolism and marketing in my undergrad years.

 

To be a clear statement of faith and an understood symbol it should have 3 components

1) Universal understanding

2) Test of time

3) Clear association

 

The cross has a universal understanding (Christianity) test of time (2000 years) and clear association (Jesus) for most of the western world.  There are countries to whom crucifixion is still a very real form of punishment who really struggle with the cross as they saw their father/uncle/brother/son die on one.  But for the most part its understood.

 

The "evil eye"

1) No universal understanding--is it from a storybook?  Egypt? puritins? Islam?

2) test of time- no clear time association as of yet

3) clear association-who wears the "evil eye"  hipsters, emo, wiccians, LOTR Fans?

 

Besides the fact that it isn't at all clear if one wears the jelwery because they posess the evil eye, becuase they support the evil eye or because they are trying to protect themseves from teh evil eye.

 

In the scope of things the swastica barley makes the cut for an understandable symbol.  It's enduring the test of time...before Hitler took it over it was akin to the smily face.  (Now that the smily face was taken over by Wal-Mart it too may be a symbol for destruction in 100 years).  In reality its only western/modernized countries that understand this meaning.

Perhaps such a question should never have been posted on a Western board.

It is from the Near East/ with areas of presence in South Asia, Africa, and Europe.

It is worn by people of the Near East (now Middle East/West Asia (though Middle East used to mean Central Asia, silly humans changing things...)).

One of mine comes from a Greek festival. Another comes from an Armenian tourism thing. I've heard of it among Persians and Turks, and I have heard of the superstition known as the evil eye among Greeks, Turks, and Muslims.

I would be very interested if you could substantiate your claim or at very least consider that this figure has a long-term meaning some peoples and respond to that aspect of the question or refute it more substantially.

Edited October 31, 2013 by Light and Truth

[Selah]

3) clear association-who wears the "evil eye"  hipsters, emo, wiccians, LOTR Fans?

 

 

*facepalm*

[Anastasia13]

*facepalm*

 

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[Spem in alium]

Can you ask her what she thinks?

I could, but I haven't seen her for years. She is Greek.

 

 

3) clear association-who wears the "evil eye"   LOTR Fans?

 

....What????????  :hmmm: 

[Not The Philosopher]

I think he/she is referring to Sauron's eye.