SearchEvil eye meaning: what the symbol means, its colors, and how it is worn
From the counter at TraxNYC, 47th Street.
The short answer
- The evil eye is an old belief that an envious or ill-wishing look can bring bad luck. The same name covers the charm worn against it.
- The charm is an eye looking back, classically dark blue, white and light blue around a dark center, worn to turn that look away. That is custom and faith, not a promise.
- It is worn as a bracelet, a pendant, a ring or earrings, and often given as a gift.
- The hamsa hand often carries the eye in its palm. The Eye of Horus is a different symbol, from ancient Egypt.
Looking for an evil eye in gold? Text us or call 212-872-9692. Our team texts back 10 AM to 10 PM ET; later texts are answered the next day.
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What the evil eye means
The belief is simple. A look full of envy, or praise with no blessing behind it, can bring harm, often without the one looking meaning any. The evil eye is that look. The charm, an eye looking back, is there to catch it or send it back.
It is very old and very widespread. The belief turns up in ancient Greek and Roman writing, and it has a name in many languages: nazar in Turkish, mati in Greek, malocchio in Italian, ayin hara in Hebrew, mal de ojo in Spanish.
Whether it protects anyone is a matter of belief. What is certain is that families across the Mediterranean, the Middle East, South Asia and Latin America have kept it for generations: a bead pinned to a baby's clothes, an eye hung by the door, a charm on the wrist.
Evil eye colors
Dark blue is the classic, often with light blue. Red, green, pink, yellow, purple and black are common today too, and the meaning people give each color changes from one seller to the next; no old rule fixes them. Pick the color you will wear.
Most of ours set the eye in stones rather than glass: white, blue, pink, yellow or black diamonds, natural or lab-grown as each listing states, and a few with rubies, opal or blue enamel.
How the evil eye is worn
- On the wrist: a bracelet of small eyes, worn every day. Which wrist is a matter of custom, and customs differ.
- At the neck: one eye as a pendant, alone or beside a cross, a Star of David or a hamsa.
- On the hand and the ear: rings and earrings.
- As a gift: many families give one to a new baby, or to someone starting something new. Plenty of people buy their own, too.
- If it breaks: the old saying is that a cracked bead took a look meant for you, so it gets replaced. In gold, a loose stone or a bent link is a repair; bring it to the counter.
Evil eye, hamsa or Eye of Horus?
Three symbols that get mixed up, even on listings:
| Symbol | What it shows | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| The evil eye | an eye, usually blue, looking back | the Mediterranean and the Middle East, with the belief in ancient Greek and Roman writing |
| The hamsa | an open hand, often with an eye in the palm | the Middle East and North Africa, in Jewish and Muslim homes alike; also called the hand of Miriam or the hand of Fatima |
| The Eye of Horus | one eye with falcon markings beneath it | ancient Egypt, a sign of protection, healing and royal power |
The hamsa has its own guide, what the hamsa hand means, and its own page, hamsa jewelry. Eye of Horus pendants sit with our Egyptian pendants.
Evil eye pieces from our case
Most of ours are 14K gold, hard enough for a bracelet worn every day, and each listing states whether its diamonds are natural or lab-grown. The bracelets are mostly with our women's diamond bracelets. A size, color or stone we do not list can be made for you: custom work is designed and made at our bench.
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Want the eye in your color, or on a chain you already wear?
Evil eye questions
What does the evil eye mean?
It is the belief that an envious or ill-wishing look can bring bad luck, and the name of the eye charm worn to turn that look away. The belief is very old and found across the Mediterranean, the Middle East, South Asia and Latin America.
Which wrist does an evil eye bracelet go on?
Either. Customs differ from family to family and there is no single rule. Wear it where you will see it.
Can you buy an evil eye for yourself?
Yes. Giving one is a kind custom, not a rule, and plenty of people choose their own.
What is the difference between the evil eye and the hamsa?
The evil eye is the eye; the hamsa is an open hand, often with the eye set in its palm. People wear both against the same envious look, alone or together.
Keep reading
More answers from the counter: all TraxNYC buyer's guides.
See it on the wrist
We are at 64 W 47th St, Booth F-1, New York, NY 10036, on 47th Street since 2004. Monday to Friday 11 am to 6 pm ET, Saturday and Sunday 12 pm to 4 pm ET; around a holiday, text first. Text or call 212-872-9692, or read our showroom page before you come.