Evil isn’t as hard to spot as good, but they say that evil is all around us. Religious tales, in particular, have strong connotations of the evil that’s around us in everyday life, and many religions have protective symbols designed to warn off the very evil we’re struggling to see. Even people who aren’t necessarily superstitious will agree that there’s evil in the world, be it people, spirits, or actions.
Have we got you thinking about what’s out there that we don’t know about and how you can protect yourself from the unknown? Read on to learn about five symbols known to ward off evil in all forms.
The Hamsa
Many people wear the Hamsa or have it tattooed on them without knowing its true meaning – Hamsa jewelry is a stylish design popular with fashion retailers that want to create quirky pieces of jewelry. Hamsa is Hebrew for five, and Jewish people have long thought that the hand wards off the evil eye’s negative energy, protecting a person or home. The evil eye is the destructive energy given off by a jealous or spiteful gaze.
In Jewish culture, many households will put the Hamsa hand in the room of an expecting mother, for example, to warn off evil spirits.
The Eye of Horus
The eye of Horus is another one you might recognize thanks to fashion retailers making it a popular piece of jewelry – again, people rarely understand its meaning. The eye of Horus originates in Ancient Egypt, with Horus in transcripts being the god of the sky. He was represented as a falcon of the skies – the eye of Horus was the falcon’s left eye, while Ra’s was the right. Don’t get the two confused – the eye of Ra is associated with war and destruction, so make sure you ask which of Horus’ eyes it is before you buy the jewelry.
Nazar Boncugu
The Nazar Boncugu is actually a common symbol that you may have seen before yet not understood its meaning. The piercing blue colors of the Nazar Boncugu are eye-catching and designed to look like an eye. Nazar – an Arabic word – translates to attention, site, and surveillance – the amulet protects against the evil eye.
Mistletoe
Mistletoe is associated with Christmas – should you be lucky enough to stand under the mistletoe when your crush is walking by, you might secure your first kiss. The Celtic Druids first believed mistletoe cured illnesses and fought against negative energy and spirits, but also believed it is a way of bringing fertility and protecting against witchcraft.
The Horseshoe
Many people think that a horseshoe is a symbol of good luck, but few people know that it’s actually a symbol that Christians believe warns off the devil himself. The belief comes from a story about a blacksmith, St. Dunstan, who nearly found himself tricked by the devil three times before St. Dunstan nailed a horseshoe to the devil’s foot and only promised to remove it if the devil swore never to return. And so, a horseshoe is now a symbol of protection against the devil.
There may be evil in the world, but there is ample light and good to counteract it. Still, many cultures and religions, particularly ones that are still very traditional, rely on these symbols are a form of protection from the evil we can’t see. All of the above are easy to find and buy online.