The evil eye — known as nazar, mati, malocchio, or dozens of other names depending on where you are — is one of the oldest and most widely recognized protective symbols in the world. This is a complete guide to what it means, where it comes from, and how Casa Duniya's artisan partners in Turkey and Jordan bring it to life across home decor, jewelry, and everyday accessories.

What is the evil eye?

The evil eye refers to a belief found across dozens of cultures: that a look given out of envy, jealousy, or even excessive admiration can bring misfortune to whatever it's directed at, often without the person giving the look intending any harm. The eye-shaped charm itself isn't the curse — it's the protection against it, believed to symbolically "watch back" and deflect that negative energy.

A history that spans millennia

The earliest known evil eye amulets have been traced back to around 3,300 BCE, excavated at Tell Brak in modern-day Syria. Written references appear in ancient Greek and Roman texts, with some of the earliest surviving mentions dating to the 6th century BCE. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, belief in the evil eye is ancient and appears across Greek, Roman, Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, and Hindu traditions, among others — making it one of the most geographically widespread superstitions in human history.

Many names, one belief

The evil eye goes by different names depending on the region: nazar (Turkish, from the Arabic word for "sight"), mati (Greek), al-ayn (Arabic), ayin ha'ra (Hebrew), malocchio (Italian), mal de ojo (Spanish), and buri nazar (Hindi). Despite the different names and independent histories, the core belief stays remarkably consistent across all of them.

Why blue?

The classic blue-and-white design is most strongly associated with Turkey and Greece, where the charm is traditionally made from glass colored with cobalt oxide. Blue has long been linked to protection in the regions where the belief is strongest, and glass itself was historically a valued material, which likely reinforced the charm's protective status. While blue and white remains the traditional combination, the motif today appears in many colors and materials.

The Hamsa: a related but distinct symbol

The evil eye is often paired with the Hamsa, a hand-shaped protective symbol — sometimes combined into a single design, an eye set into the palm of a hand. "Hamsa" comes from the Arabic word for "five," referring to the five fingers, and in some Islamic traditions it's also called the Hand of Fatima. It developed as its own distinct symbol with a separate history, not as a variant of the nazar. Read the full breakdown in our Nazar vs. Hamsa guide.

How Casa Duniya's artisans work with the evil eye

We source evil eye pieces from artisans in Turkey and Jordan, using techniques specific to each region:

Jordan — hand-painted glassware and ceramics. Artisans paint the nazar motif freehand onto teacups, water bottles, trays, and salt and pepper shakers, so no two pieces are ever identical.

Turkey — hand-embroidered textiles. The evil eye is stitched by hand onto kimonos, robes, cosmetic pouches, and beach bags, often in small, family-run workshops.

Shop evil eye pieces by category

Home & Tableware

• Hamsa Teacups — evil eye and Hamsa combined, hand-painted in Jordan
• Nazar Trays — hand-painted serving trays
• Hamsa & Evil Eye Salt and Pepper Shakers
• Round Nazar Bowl
• Colorful Evil Eye Swing-Top Water Bottles
• Nora Water Carafe and Nora Water Glasses
• Evil Eye Olive Oil & Vinegar Dispenser

Apparel & Loungewear

• Awali Kimono — hand-embroidered, made in Lebanon
• Naila Reversible Robe
• Turkish Awali Kimono — lighter muslin version, made in Turkey
• Mina Evil Eye Shirt — sequined beach cover-up

Bags & Travel

• Adina, Abigail, and Jahra Evil Eye Beach Bags — hand-beaded sequin designs from Turkey
• Ohana Cosmetic Pouches — available with evil eye embroidery

Jewelry & Accessories

• Beaded Bracelets
• Good Vibes Only Rakhi

Learn more

For the full history and symbolism, see our complete guide, What Does the Evil Eye Mean?, or browse the full Evil Eye Protection collection for every piece we carry.