Keeping an Eye Out
Click here (ancientegyptonline) to learn more about the mysterious and magical Eye of Horus...
And click here (evileyestore) to see how notions of the 'evil eye' are still very much alive in some cultures...
Why do you think that such objects and beliefs are so persistent?
8 comments:
I went to Greece in 2010 and there where tons of shops selling these 'evil eye' charms. This notion of the 'evil eye' is definitely still alive in Greece today. I think this object is so persistent because it is a symbol of protection and everyone wants to feel a little more protected and this object does just that.
-Rachel Levy
Bad things inexplicably happen to good people. They don't know why, but naturally they want to have control over their lives, since there no karmic justice helping them. So they rely on magical charms to feel better and feel like they've taken control of their fate.
Margaret Ransdell-Green
Eye contact is important in most cultures so it seems. To look into anothers eyes is a class of wills in some aspect, but also a way of showing respect for another and respect for oneself. Some people mostly psychologists and such take it too far, in the ancient world these type of people were probably the magicians and shamans. Anyway, people use a symbol of the eye to ward of the evil eye; the symbol itself is not actually important it is the persons belief in the symbol which reinforces their beleif in themselfs. It is easier to imagine that an eye would word off the evil eye than say a stick. However, Ronnie James Dios grandmother apparently used the devil horns sign now popularized in rock.
In my Alaska native culture, it is actually rude to look into another's eyes. It was a gesture of disrepesct and challenge of authority. It seems that even here in Alaska there was a notion of an evil eye.
People,even in ancient cultures, recognized the influence we have over one another in our everyday lives. One dirty look can ruin day. I know I would fret about what I had done to deserve it. So I can understand why people feel the need to protect themselves from this worry even today. I guess its better safe than sorry...better buy an eye charm just in case.
Deirdre Adams
The fact that these objects and beliefs are so pervasive I think just has to do with human nature. People everywhere and in every time believe in all manners of superstitious happenings. These objects are a physical thing that people can express their beliefs with.
-Erica H.
The evil eye has taken on quite the artisan industry. The eye is a symbol that people like and it gives them a sense of protection, i think thats why it has lasted so long. I can see a resemblance to the eye of horus, its something that could have definitely changed over time. Its a symbol that people still find importance in.
-Taylor E.
I believe that these objects and beliefs are so persistant in todays cultures becuase one they are traditions that are handed down from generation and two they have not been disproved. Since there is no one able to disprove the idea of protective amulets then there has been no reason to stop using them.
Emily Peterson-Wood
The statement "eyes are the gateway to the soul" might be overstated by now, but they still have some meaning. Everyone knows the feeling of being watched, and it is rarely good. This idea of the Evil Eye makes sense to me, just like the protective eye of Horus which is made up of the different senses.
Observing with the intent to do harm, and with the intent to protect all depends on who is looking.
- Scott
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