Nazar, Matiasma, Mal De Ojo - How are they all related?



The tales of the evil eye superstition has its own form in the different parts of the world, but its core belief remains the same. It is also not unknown that cultures from different parts of the world also belief that a talisman or a jewelry of some symbolic significance plays a huge role in warding off the curse of the evil eye which is usually known eponymously as ‘Evil Eye’.

However, with relevance to the fact stated in the beginning of this article, ‘Evil eye’ has been called different names, upon which we will discuss some of them.


The word ‘Nazar’ is Arabic which means sigh or surveillance among other meanings. Nazar is considered as an amulet that is often worn as jewelry to originally ward off the curse of the evil eye. It is also known as ‘Nazar Boncuğu’ in turkey and this where, Nazar jewelry originated from probably. It is also a common sight for people in Turkey to wear this piece of accessory. Wearing a Nazar jewelry started as a tradition and a belief that it would ward off bad spirits, curses or bad luck, it is more or less considered as a piece of accessory.

A typical Nazar is made with handmade glass beads with concentric circles or shapes of patterns that look like teardrops. These patterns will be usually painted with blue, white or black colors with the borders painted in gold or yellow tones.

Perhaps, Nazar may also be considered as one of the most common ‘Evil Eye’ jewelry as it is not uncommon to see people sporting it from the common masses to celebrities alike. They are usually worn as bracelets or necklaces. In some cases, these beads are also added to head bands and worn as headsets.


Matiasma is popular in the Mediterranean countries, most particularly in Greece. Matiasma is the Greek version of the evil eye. The beads in the Matiasma jewelry are known as ‘matia’ or ‘mataki’ and they are also fashioned in a similar style as the Nazar jewelries.

The Greeks believe that babies are more prone to the curse of the evil eye and that is why, babies are often pinned with a matiasma bead in their clothes as soon as they are born. The mother and the child are also required to stay indoors for the first forty days after the child is born. After which, when the mother and the child steps out of the house, both of them will carry a blue mati underneath their clothing to protect themselves from the evil eye.

Matiasma jewelry is also often regarded as Greek mataki or blue mati which is obviously a charm to protect people from all harm, bad luck or bad forces.

In Greece, people wear matiasma jewelry in the form of charms, necklaces and bracelets. Blue mataki beads are also made in earrings or rings and are worn by people to prevent any negative force.

It is also not uncommon for people in Greece to hang a blue mati along with their religious accessories such as a cross.

Mal De Ojo:

Mal De Ojo, also otherwise known as the evil eye stems its origin from Spain. The belief that an unintended look of envy or a coveted feeling towards a child results in an illness, bad luck or even death to that particular child is embedded deeply in Spanish folklore.

A popular remedy for the Mal De Ojo curse is a practice known as curandero. Curandero involves a sham who passes a raw egg over the person who is believed to be affected by Mal De Ojo. Later, the raw egg is covered by a cross made of straw and this fixture is placed underneath the affected person while he or she sleeps.

The shaman will then crack the egg open the next morning where the shaman is able to tell the gender of the person who was responsible for inflicting the Mal De Ojo curse. Raw eggs are believed to absorb all the negative energy that is inflicting the said person.

The blue color of the bead in Mal De Ojo jewelry symbolizes truth which serves as a direct protection against any evil.

Take a look at our curated selection of evil eye jewelry.