Evil Eye (Mati)
The legend of the evil eye spans civilizations, rooted in the belief that a malevolent glare cast by others can bring misfortune or harm. In various cultures across the world, the evil eye's gaze is feared for its supposed ability to cause illness, accidents, or general misfortune to those it targets.
In Greece, the belief in the evil eye runs deep within the cultural fabric, tracing its origins to ancient times. It's believed that wearing the "mati" charm, often in the form of an amulet or jewelry, offers protection against this malevolent force.
According to legend, the evil eye's power can be inadvertently invoked by those who harbor envy or resentment toward another's success, beauty, or good fortune. To ward off this negative energy, people wear the mati as a symbol of protection, believed to deflect the harmful intentions of envious stares.
The eye-shaped talisman, usually blue in color, is thought to represent an all-seeing, vigilant gaze that counters the effects of the malevolent eye. From newborns to adults, many Greeks wear the mati as a gesture of safeguarding against the unseen forces of jealousy and ill will, preserving their well-being and good fortune.
The tradition of wearing the mati endures as a cultural practice, a symbolic gesture steeped in the belief of shielding oneself and loved ones from the potential harm of the evil eye's gaze.
