Apotropaic magic

The ancient blue and white "Nazar boncuğu" is a symbol against the evil eye. Here the stylised eye appears on a Turkish airplane

Apotropaism or apotropaic magic is the use of magic rituals against evil or harmful influences like the evil eye or invidia, which was thought to cause injury or bad luck. This can be a long ritual, or it can take the form of simply wearing an amulet or other token, against bad luck.

Apotropaic Magic Media

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  The Gorgon, flanked by lionesses and showing her belt clasp of serpents; the pediment of the 580 BCE temple of Artemis in Corfu. Archaeological Museum of Corfu.

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  Jewish apotropaic neckband sewn with coins to deflect the evil eye. 1944, Basel, in the Jewish Museum of Switzerland's collection.

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  An ancient Egyptian apotropaic wand shows a procession of protective deities. It was used in birth rituals, perhaps to draw a magic circle around the mother and child.

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  Chalcidian black-figured eye-cup, circa 530 BCE. Staatliche Antikensammlungen

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  A 12th-century sheela na gig on the church at Kilpeck, Herefordshire

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  Medieval apotropaic marking on the inside of a church in Suffolk, England.

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  Amulets for specific purposes on sale at a Shinto shrine in Japan