Evil Eye and Nazar Beliefs Across India and the World

Few beliefs are as widespread as the evil eye. It appears in ancient Mediterranean writing, in the Middle East and across South Asia. In India it is called nazar, buri nazar or drishti.

The basic idea

The evil eye is the belief that a glance, especially one filled with envy or even admiration, can bring misfortune to the person looked at. Babies, brides, new homes, crops and businesses are traditionally considered most at risk.

In different traditions

• Hindu homes: nazar is warded off with a black dot (kala teeka), lemon and chillies, and the custom of circling salt, mustard or red chillies around a person.
• Muslim communities: the effect of the eye (ayn) is mentioned in hadith, and recitation and dua are advised for protection.
• Elsewhere: the blue eye bead (nazar boncuk) of Turkey and Greece, the hamsa hand and many similar charms.

What the customs express

For many families the customs are less about fear than about love and humility: a way of saying that good fortune should be received modestly and that a beloved child is cared for. They are also a social tool for tempering envy.

What evidence exists

There is no scientific evidence that a look can cause harm. Psychologists suggest that the belief reflects awareness of envy in social life. Attributing a child's illness to nazar can be dangerous if it delays a doctor's visit.

Enjoy the customs as customs, but never let them replace medical care, and never use fire, harmful substances or force on a child or a person in the name of removing nazar.

Simple, safe ways to continue the tradition

• A small kala teeka drawn with kajal.
• A short prayer or blessing.
• A decorative eye bead or lemon-and-chilli at the door.

Sources and further reading

• Evil eye (Wikipedia)
• Nazar (amulet) (Wikipedia)