Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Don't Look Now!









Many cultures around the world believe in the power of the "evil eye" and certain ways people can hope to ward off its evil essence or curse in their lives. These five images contain symbols used as protection against the evil eye's influence. The first image idea comes courtesy of commenter "foam". It is of an Owl Butterfly and shows the "eyes" on its wings for protection. The second image is of a Turkish airliner sporting a blue- eyed symbol of protection on its tail. The third image is of a batch of the blue-eyed symbols (nazirs) for sale-although I do not know the location this picture was taken at. The belief in the evil eye is so widespread it could be from many different places. The fourth image is of a Sheela na Gig on a 12th century church in Herefordshire in the United Kingdom, protecting the church from various evil influences. The fifth image is of a "Hamsa" hand. This is called a Hand of Fatimah by Muslims and a Hand of Miriam by Jews-also used be devotees of both religions to ward off evil eye influences. The last image is a gargoyle guarding the splendid Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. I was going to try post something with a bit more substance today-but didn't like the way it sounded so I saved it to drafts. Some people that comment here have given me wonderful ideas for some ideas for articles in the future and I really appreciate that! I had the misfortune of seeing a new (I think) Burger King commercial the other day. Now I have a stupid song stuck in my head. Sheeesh no doubt the lyrical phrase "My anaconda don't want none unless you've got buns hun!" will ring down through the ages right along with Shakespeare and William Blake. I do suppose I would be safe from any hypothetical advances Sir Mixalot might make towards me-even if he were bisexual. My derriere-backside whatever is so flat a game of chess could probably be played on it -althought its rather small so it might not be large enough-perhaps Tic-Tac-Toe-Not that anyone reading this blog really needed to know that! Best to all of you and thanks again for the great comments! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evil_eye




8 comments:

Michael said...

That "hand of Fatimah" looks like it hurts! What an amazingly overt sexual image. Reminds me of A. Crowley's description of the "Eye of Horus". Great post.

Anonymous said...

That is so interesting that the airline uses it on the tail of the plane. Such deeply rooted superstition in the modern world.
I love the last photo of the wonderful view the gargoyle has in Paris.

Sharon Day said...

That's a good mention about the evil eye. I think it's like the pyramids in Central America and in the Middle East. Interesting how man can come up with something in different places at the same time. It really makes you wonder if Thor Heyerdahl was right and man did take boats back and forth and we don't give him credit. I mean, look at Easter Island. How did he do that? Even the invention of the bomb was going on simultaneously in different countries, but that's because of the passage of information. I like the symbol of the eye as the third eye of insight or like on the dollar bill as a divine prominence. Thanks for making us stop and ponder our world that we take for granted.

Devin said...

Hiya Michael-thanks so very much for stopping by-I was certainly struck by the image when I saw it for the first time just a matter of days ago-the other images I was familiar with-I will definitely have to look into Crowley's description-best to you as always!!

Aggie that gargoyle image is one of my favorites-I tried to find the name of the actual airline that had the symbol -but got no further than that it is a "discount" Turkish airline-agree about the superstition-having OCD I have some pretty crazy "ritual" superstions-best to you as always!!

Autumnforest thanks so much for sharing your thoughts here-it is amazing how certain themes/ideas crop up around the world during historical eras when there should have been no widespread communication-I picked up a book at the library that normally I would not have-but Colin Wilson was a co-author (it is about ancient Egypt/Atlantis) I havent had much of a chance to look at it yet -but some of what I have seen echo what you just commented on-your blog always does the same for me -this post was really "out there" as far as knowing I was even going to do it-best to you!!

darkfoam said...

i've always loved those gargoyles on the top of notre dame. what a view they have. the evil eye talisman on the turkish plane kind of reminds me of those huge round dots that resemble eyes which some butterflies have on their wings. the purpose is the same - both are meant for protection ..

Devin said...

foam-fascinating insight about the "eyes" on those butterflies wings-I have seen those before-I agree about the view those gargoyles have! would love to have the same-best to you and thanks so much for stopping by!!

X. Dell said...

Eyes are probably archetypical symbols because of their universality. All families of mankind have them, as do all other mamals, many species of birds and reptiles, etc.

Devin said...

Yes that is definitely a great thought Xdell-I hadn't ever thought of them being universal before-but really they are -great thoughts as always and thanks so much for your comments!!