At its core, Greeks use the evil eye, known as ‘to mati’ (το μάτι), as a deeply ingrained cultural and spiritual form of protection against misfortune. This belief centers on the idea that a look of envy, jealousy, or even excessive admiration from another person can cause harm—from a sudden headache to a string of bad luck. The iconic blue eye talisman, seen everywhere from bustling Athens to serene island villages, serves as a powerful shield, deflecting this negative energy and preserving one’s well-being. It is far more than a simple superstition; it is a living tradition that intertwines ancient history, religious faith, and the very psychology of Greek social interaction, offering a tangible way to navigate the unseen forces of human emotion.
If you’ve ever walked through the charming, sun-drenched streets of a Greek town, you’ve undoubtedly seen it: a mesmerizing cobalt blue circle with a light blue iris and a black pupil staring back at you. This symbol, the Greek evil eye, adorns everything from delicate jewelry and keychains to the walls of homes and the rearview mirrors of taxis. For the uninitiated, it might seem like a mere decorative motif or a popular tourist souvenir. But for Greeks, this symbol is a profound and active part of daily life. Understanding why Greeks use the evil eye is to take a deep dive into the nation’s soul, exploring a belief that has withstood the rise and fall of empires and remains strikingly relevant today. This article will unpack the rich history, cultural significance, and modern-day practices surrounding the ‘mati,’ revealing why this ancient tradition continues to thrive.
Understanding the ‘Mati’: The Gaze of Envy
First and foremost, it’s crucial to understand what the ‘mati’ truly is. The concept of the evil eye is not, as some might assume, about a malevolent sorcerer casting a deliberate curse. While that can be a component, the far more common belief centers on the unintentional power of human emotion. You see, the Greeks believe that a powerful gaze, particularly one loaded with envy or jealousy, can transmit negative energy to the recipient. This is known as being “matiasmenos” (ματιασμένος), or “eyed.”
Interestingly, even a compliment, if given with a hint of admiration that borders on envy, is thought to be a potential vehicle for the mati. Someone might admire your new car, praise the beauty of your child, or compliment your good health, and in that very moment of intense admiration, the negative energy can be transferred without any ill intent. The person giving the “eye” might not even be aware they are doing it. It’s a belief rooted in an ancient understanding of human nature—that strong emotions have power and that jealousy, even when subconscious, can have a tangible, negative effect.
What are the symptoms of being ‘eyed’?
According to Greek folklore, the symptoms of being struck by the evil eye are quite specific and often come on suddenly. They are not typically life-threatening but are disruptive enough to signal that something is amiss. Common symptoms include:
- A sudden, splitting headache or a feeling of heavy pressure in the head.
- Unexplained dizziness, vertigo, or weakness.
- An overwhelming sense of drowsiness and excessive, uncontrollable yawning.
- A general feeling of physical or emotional drain, as if one’s energy has been sapped.
- A sudden string of bad luck or minor accidents.
- For babies and young children, it might manifest as uncharacteristic crankiness, crying, or fussiness.
The belief is so pervasive that if a Greek person suddenly feels unwell in these specific ways, their first thought, or the first suggestion from a family member, is often, “Maybe someone gave you the evil eye.”
A Belief as Old as the Hills: Tracing the Evil Eye’s Ancient Origins
The use of the evil eye for protection is not a recent phenomenon; its roots dig deep into the soil of classical antiquity and beyond. The belief in a harmful gaze was a well-documented concern for ancient Greeks and Romans, appearing in the writings of some of their most famous thinkers. Hesiod, Aristotle, and Plato all spoke of the damaging effects of the envious eye. The Roman writer Pliny the Elder even described tribes in Africa who possessed the power to harm others with their gaze.
Plutarch, the Greek philosopher and historian, offered a pseudo-scientific explanation in his Symposiacs. He proposed that the human eye was capable of emitting invisible rays of energy, and when a person was filled with a strong emotion like envy, these rays could be potent enough to harm another person, animal, or even an object. This concept of the eye as an active, projecting organ, rather than a passive receptive one, was central to the ancient belief.
Archaeological evidence supports the prevalence of this belief. Ancient Greek drinking cups, dating back to the 6th century BC, have been discovered with large eyes painted on them. The idea was that as the person drank, the eyes on the cup would stare back at any onlooker, deflecting any potential envy. These “eye-cups” acted as a form of portable protection.
Why the Color Blue?
The specific choice of cobalt blue for the protective charm is also steeped in history and geography. In the Mediterranean region, people with blue eyes were historically quite rare. Because of their rarity, blue eyes were seen as possessing a unique potency, and by extension, a greater capacity to bestow the evil eye, whether intentionally or not. Therefore, a blue charm was created to combat a blue-eyed gaze—a sort of “like fights like” magical thinking.
Furthermore, the color blue itself holds symbolic power. In many cultures around the Aegean, blue is a color associated with the sky and with water—vast, powerful, and divine elements. It is also seen as a color of protection and its connection to the heavens gives it a sacred quality. The combination of the eye symbol with the protective color blue created the perfect talisman to ward off this ancient fear.
Faith and Folklore: The Evil Eye in Greek Orthodox Tradition
One might wonder how such an ancient, seemingly pagan belief coexists so comfortably within the devoutly Greek Orthodox society. The relationship is complex and represents a fascinating example of religious syncretism, where ancient folk traditions are woven into the fabric of Christian faith.
The Greek Orthodox Church officially discourages superstitious beliefs, but it does acknowledge the existence of “vaskania” (βασκανία), the theological term for the evil eye. However, the Church frames it not as a random magical force but as a manifestation of human sin—specifically envy and jealousy—which can allow for demonic influence. In this view, the harm caused by vaskania is real, and the Church provides the ultimate remedy.
Instead of dismissing the folk belief outright, the Church offers a specific prayer, often called the “Prayer Against Vaskania,” which is read by a priest to heal someone who has been affected. This prayer petitions God, Jesus Christ, and the Theotokos (the Virgin Mary) to banish the evil and restore the person’s health. By providing a formal, faith-based solution, the Church effectively absorbed the folk tradition, validating the people’s experience while framing the cure within a Christian context. This integration is a key reason why Greeks use the evil eye belief and its protections so freely today; it doesn’t feel like a contradiction to their faith but rather an extension of it.
The Arsenal of Protection: How Greeks Ward Off the Evil Eye
Given the perceived threat of the mati, Greeks have developed a rich and varied set of practices to protect themselves. These methods range from wearing talismans to uttering specific phrases and performing small rituals.
The ‘Mati’ Charm (Nazar Boncuk)
The most visible form of protection is, of course, the iconic blue eye charm. While often associated with Turkey (where it is known as a nazar boncuğu), this talisman is ubiquitous in Greece. It acts as a vigilant guardian, its purpose being to catch the envious gaze and neutralize its power before it can reach the wearer. The charm is believed to be most effective when it is a gift, as this imbues it with positive intent. If the charm cracks or breaks, it is said to have absorbed a particularly strong dose of the evil eye and has sacrificed itself to protect its owner. It should then be replaced immediately.
The ‘Ftou Ftou Ftou’ Spitting Gesture
This is one of the most unique and authentic Greek practices for warding off the evil eye. If a Greek person pays someone a compliment, especially a baby or a child who is considered particularly vulnerable, they will often follow it with a small, symbolic spitting gesture. It sounds like “Ftou, ftou, ftou,” and it’s a dry puff of air made through pursed lips, not actual spitting. It is often accompanied by the phrase, “Na min se matiaso” (να μην σε ματιάσω), which means, “So that I don’t give you the evil eye.”
This ritual serves a dual purpose. It’s a conscious act to neutralize any unintentional envy that might have been mixed in with the compliment, thereby protecting the recipient. It also serves as a social signal, reassuring the other person that the praise is sincere and free from any jealousy. It’s a beautiful piece of social and spiritual etiquette rolled into one.
Other Traditional Protections
- Garlic (Skordo): Much like in vampire lore, garlic has long been used in Greece as a powerful apotropaic (evil-averting) agent. A braid of garlic might be hung in a home or business to ward off the mati.
- The Cross: For devout Greeks, wearing a baptismal cross is considered the ultimate protection against all forms of evil, including the evil eye. The cross and the mati charm are often worn together on the same chain.
- Touching Wood (Xtýpa Xýlo): Similar to the English expression “knock on wood,” Greeks might say “xtýpa xýlo” and touch a wooden surface after saying something positive about their own situation to prevent tempting fate or attracting envy.
When Protection Fails: The ‘Xematia’ Ritual to Banish the Curse
What happens when, despite all precautions, someone believes they have been “eyed”? This is when the ritual of “xematia” (ξεμάτιασμα), or the “un-eyeing,” is performed. This is a folk healing ceremony passed down through generations, typically performed by a specific person who has “the gift.”
The knowledge of the xematia, which involves a secret prayer, is passed down under strict rules. Traditionally, it must be passed from a man to a woman or a woman to a man. It cannot be passed between two people of the same gender. Furthermore, it is often taught on a specific holy day, like Good Friday, to imbue it with sacred power. The person who performs the ritual cannot accept money, as it is seen as a gift from God that should be shared freely.
The Steps of a Typical ‘Xematia’ Ritual
While variations exist from region to region and family to family, a common form of the xematia ritual involves the following steps:
- The Diagnosis: The process begins with the “healer” (often a grandmother, or ‘yiayia’) observing the afflicted person. The key sign they look for is uncontrollable yawning. As the healer begins to recite the secret prayer, the yawning is expected to intensify if the person is indeed suffering from the mati. Tears may also stream from the eyes of both the healer and the afflicted.
- The Secret Prayer: The healer silently or in a low murmur recites the specific prayer, which usually invokes the Holy Trinity, the Virgin Mary, and various saints to intervene and cast out the evil. They will often make the sign of the cross over the person’s head three times.
- The Oil and Water Test: This is a fascinating diagnostic tool used in many xematia rituals to confirm the presence of the evil eye and its successful removal.
- A glass of water is prepared.
- The healer takes a drop of pure olive oil on their finger and lets it fall into the water while reciting the prayer.
- The Result: If the oil drop floats and remains a cohesive, single glob, it means the person’s ailment is due to a normal cause, not the evil eye. However, if the oil drop immediately disperses, spreads out, or breaks into smaller globules and sinks, it is seen as definitive proof that the person was “eyed,” and that the prayer has successfully broken the curse. The diffusion of the oil symbolizes the dissolution of the negative energy.
The ritual concludes with both the healer and the recipient making the sign of the cross. For believers, the relief is often immediate. The headache subsides, the yawning stops, and the feeling of malaise lifts. Whether this is due to spiritual intervention or the powerful psychological effect of the placebo and deep-seated belief, the result is the same: the person feels better.
Quick Guide: The Evil Eye (Mati) at a Glance
| Aspect | Description |
| Greek Name | To Mati (το μάτι) |
| The Cause | A powerful gaze of envy, jealousy, or even excessive admiration, which is often completely unintentional. |
| The Symptoms | Sudden intense headache, dizziness, overwhelming fatigue and yawning, general malaise, or a string of bad luck. |
| Forms of Protection | Wearing a blue and white eye charm (mati), the “ftou ftou ftou” spitting gesture after a compliment, garlic, or wearing a Christian cross. |
| The Cure Ritual | The ‘Xematia’ (un-eyeing), a healing ritual performed by specific people who know a secret prayer, often confirmed with an oil and water test. |
More Than a Souvenir: The Evil Eye in 21st Century Greece
In a world of science, technology, and modern medicine, it’s fair to ask why this ancient belief continues to hold such sway. The reason Greeks use the evil eye today is multifaceted, touching upon cultural identity, psychology, and social dynamics.
A Symbol of Cultural Identity: The mati is a powerful and instantly recognizable symbol of Hellenism. It is a shared cultural touchstone that connects modern Greeks not only to each other but to their ancient and Byzantine ancestors. Wearing or displaying the eye is a quiet declaration of one’s heritage, a link in an unbroken chain of tradition that stretches back millennia.
A Psychological Comfort: Life is full of random, unpleasant events—a sudden illness, a fender bender, a project at work going wrong. Attributing these small misfortunes to the evil eye can be a powerful psychological coping mechanism. It provides a simple, external explanation for a negative event, which can be less stressful than grappling with randomness or personal failure. More importantly, it offers a clear course of action—the xematia—which provides a sense of control and a path to resolution.
A Social Regulator: The belief in the mati also serves a subtle but important social function. It implicitly discourages overt boasting and arrogance. If you flaunt your success too much, you risk attracting the evil eye. This encourages a degree of humility and social cohesion. Likewise, the “ftou ftou” ritual actively works to smooth social interactions, turning a potentially envy-inducing compliment into a moment of shared protective care.
A Fashionable Icon: Of course, in the 21st century, the evil eye has also been embraced by global fashion and design. High-end designers and jewelry brands have incorporated the symbol into their collections, turning it into a trendy icon. While this commercialization might seem to dilute its meaning, for many Greeks, it exists in parallel with the genuine belief. A Greek might wear a stylish evil eye bracelet that is both a fashion statement and a sincere talisman for protection.
A Symbol of Resilience and Connection
Ultimately, the reason Greeks use the evil eye is because it is a living, breathing part of their culture that serves a profound human need. It is a beautifully complex system that acknowledges the power of human emotion, provides comfort in times of distress, and reinforces community bonds.
So, the next time you see that striking blue eye staring out from a shop window in Plaka or dangling from a fisherman’s boat in the Cyclades, you’ll know it’s not just a pretty trinket. It’s a vigilant guardian, a conversation starter, and a profound link to the past. It is a window into the Greek soul—a testament to an ancient understanding of our shared human vulnerabilities and our timeless, collective desire for protection, connection, and well-being in a world we can’t always control.