The blue bead, often made from glass or ceramic, is traditionally worn as jewelry or hung at entrances of homes, vehicles, or buildings to ward off the evil eye—a supernatural force rooted in jealousy or ill will. Commonly shaped like an eye itself, the bead is usually deep blue, symbolizing truth and protection, and sometimes includes white and black concentric circles representing the eye that ‘sees’ and neutralizes harmful glares. Believers attach the bead to children’s clothes, rearview mirrors in cars, or wear it as a necklace. It’s believed to reflect or absorb negative energy, thereby protecting individuals from sickness, accidents, or loss.
Protective Talismans and Amulets
This folk remedy involves assembling three items believed to hold protective powers: a shoot from the oleaster plant (a hardy shrub often associated with vitality), the dried excrement of a stork (symbolic in many cultures for purity or transformation), and a blue bead (a widely recognized talisman against the evil eye). These three elements are tied together with a string or thread and placed discreetly under the armpit of a person believed to be at risk of attracting harmful gazes. The ritual is often used for children or vulnerable individuals. While the sensory characteristics—such as the smell of dried stork excrement or the weight of the charm—may be unpleasant, the combination is thought to confuse, deflect, or neutralize malicious attention. Blue beads are traditionally linked to eye imagery and have been used across multiple cultures in protection rituals. The positioning under the armpit may relate to concealing the charm or placing it close to the body’s energy center.
The Nazar Boncuğu is a handcrafted talisman, usually made from glass in concentric shades of blue and white to resemble an eye. In many Turkish households and across the Eastern Mediterranean, the bead is pinned to a child’s clothing, crib, or stroller shortly after birth. It is believed that the bead absorbs or deflects negative energy—particularly jealousy and envy—emanating from others. The belief stems from the concept of the ‘evil eye,’ which can cause misfortune, illness, or bad luck. Often, the bead is replaced if it cracks or breaks, as this is taken as evidence it has fulfilled its protective role. The bead may also be incorporated into jewelry or home decorations and is gifted to infants or pregnant women for added protection.
The Letter of Jesus Christ is a printed or handwritten religious document believed to possess divine protective powers. Often reproduced and distributed in churches or by traveling peddlers, the letter typically contained a narrative attributed to Jesus or other holy figures. Owners would carry or display the letter in their home, under their pillow, or by the bedside of women giving birth. It was frequently folded into a small parchment and worn around the neck as an amulet. The charm claimed to shield its possessor from physical injury, accidents, or death in war, and was especially promoted for its supposed role in ensuring a safe delivery during childbirth. Reciting or merely possessing the letter was thought sufficient to invoke divine blessings and protection. Its popularity spread through visually compelling woodblock prints, often featuring crosses and other Christian symbols that increased its apparent sanctity.
The superstition holds that a horseshoe, when displayed in a home or building, brings good fortune—especially if it contains more nails. Traditionally, horseshoes are either nailed to a surface or hung above doorways. Those who believe in the superstition pay attention to both the orientation of the horseshoe (open-end up to ‘catch’ luck or down to ‘pour’ luck onto those who enter) and, in some cases, the number of nails used to affix it. The presence of more nails is believed to increase its potency as a charm. In some versions of the belief, odd numbers of nails—especially seven—are considered especially fortunate.
The superstition involves placing an iron horseshoe above a main entrance, usually nailed with the open end (tips of the ‘U’) facing upward. This is believed to act like a vessel, collecting and holding good luck. Practitioners avoid turning the horseshoe downward, fearing that luck will ‘pour out’ and misfortune may enter the home. Traditionally, iron—thought to repel evil spirits—amplifies the horseshoe’s symbolic power. Some variations recommend using a previously worn horseshoe, emphasizing authenticity and ancient power. The placement is usually outside the home, above the door lintel, but some cultures hang it inside as well. The number of nails used can vary but is sometimes significant, with odd numbers considered especially lucky. This ritual is not typically associated with a specific date or season and may be done when moving into a new home or experiencing bad fortune.
According to widespread belief across Jewish, Hindu, and Latin American traditions, tying a red string or thread around an infant’s wrist offers spiritual protection against the evil eye—a malevolent force transmitted through envy or excessive praise. The thread is believed to serve as a symbolic shield, either absorbing or deflecting negative energy before it can reach the child. In many traditions, the red string is imbued with spiritual potency through accompanying rituals, prayers, or blessings. It may be tied with a specific number of knots (such as seven in Jewish practice) and spoken intentions for protection. In some cases, the string must originate from sacred locations or be handled only by designated religious authorities. The red thread is typically left on the child until it naturally breaks or until a culturally significant milestone is reached.
According to early modern European folk magic traditions, particularly during the height of witchcraft fear in the 16th to 18th centuries, a witch bottle was a potent household defense tool believed to shield occupants from curses, hexes, or spiritual harm. These protective vessels were crafted by placing specific contents into a bottle—often a salt-glazed stoneware jug or glass container—and concealing it in or around the home.
The most commonly included ingredients were the homeowner’s own bodily materials (especially urine), iron nails, bent pins, or shards of glass to “stab” or “trap” the incoming harmful magic, along with protective herbs like rosemary or rue. Some also included red wine or vinegar as a symbolic solvent or spiritual barrier. Once sealed, the bottle was buried under the hearth, threshold, or other key structural point in the house, or occasionally submerged in a nearby stream or marsh associated with the property. The intention was either to reflect the curse back to its source, confuse or trap the witch, or draw out and neutralize the harmful intent.
According to Celtic, Germanic, and various European pagan traditions, discovering holly growing wild during the winter solstice—particularly finding a perfectly formed leaf with sharp points and glossy surface—provides protection, good fortune, and spiritual blessing for the finder throughout the coming year. This botanical luck supposedly intensifies through specific factors: naturally fallen leaves carry stronger influence than deliberately cut ones; leaves found at exact solstice moment (astronomical midnight) hold greatest power; while those discovered near sacred sites or natural boundaries connect to enhanced spiritual energies. Some traditions specify proper handling methods: the leaf should be carried in the left pocket; placed above the main doorway; or incorporated into personal ritual items.
According to widespread belief across multiple cultural traditions, possessing a naturally shed feather from a white bird—particularly dove, swan, or egret—promotes emotional calm, conflict resolution, and spiritual harmony for the carrier. This avian talisman supposedly works through several mechanisms: the feather retains the peaceful essence of its original bird; the lightness and airborne nature of feathers connects to mental elevation above troubles; while the pure white color symbolizes clarity and divine communication. Some traditions specify that found feathers (discovered without harming birds) carry stronger peaceful influences than those deliberately collected, and that feathers from different white bird species offer slightly different calming benefits.
