The Evil Eye: What It Means and How to Wear Yours

The evil eye has two meanings. The first is the look itself: a glance full of envy or ill will, sent your way when life is going well for you. The second is the charm that protects you from it: a round blue eye, most often made of glass.

The charm is known by many names. In Turkey it is called nazar. In Greece it is mati. In Mexico it is ojo turco, the Turkish eye, and in Brazil it is olho grego, the Greek eye.

Spiritually, the evil eye means protection first. It also means luck, and the right to shine without hiding. Every time you see it, you get a quiet reminder: I am protected, and only good reaches me.

The classic evil eye has rings of dark blue, white and light blue around a dark center. Today you can find it in almost every color. Here is what people most often read in each one.

Dark blue: protection, the classic meaning, and a clear sense of your own path.

Light blue: peace, a clear view and room to breathe.

Red: courage, energy and passion. Many people wear it on a red string bracelet for double protection.

Pink: love, friendship and tenderness.

Green: luck, joy and new beginnings.

Yellow or gold: energy, light and focus.

White: clarity and fresh starts.

Purple: imagination and a strong spiritual connection.

Black: strength and firm boundaries.

If you are not sure which one is yours, pick the color you keep looking at. That pull is part of the meaning.

The left wrist is the most common choice. The left side is often called the receiving side, the side closest to the heart. An eye there is said to guard what comes in to you: love, luck and the good things that are already yours.

The right wrist is the hand you give and act with. Choose it if you would like the eye to guard what you put out into the world: your work, your words, a bold new step.

There is no wrong answer. Put a hand on each wrist and breathe out slowly. Notice which side feels warmer or more yours. That is your side.

When an evil eye cracks, breaks or falls off, most people read it as a good sign. The charm did its job. It took something heavy so that you did not have to.

There is no need to worry. Hold the pieces for a moment and say thank you. Do not glue it back together or keep wearing it. Throw it away, or bury it in the soil of a plant. When you feel ready, get a new one and give it your intention.

If your evil eyes seem to break often, some people take it as a nudge to clear the energy around them. Here is how to cleanse your home with air, sound and salt.

The most common place is by the front door, facing the way people come in. Your door is where everything enters, so the eye greets every visitor before they step inside.

Other good places: the living room, where people gather; your desk or workspace; the rearview mirror of your car; and your keys, so it goes with you. Hang it at eye level, where it can look back.

Many people pair it with an old door habit: a small bowl of salt behind the door to clear, and the eye above it to protect.

In love, the evil eye is worn to keep a happy bond safe from envy, and to keep your own heart open. A pink eye stands for tender love, and a red one for passion.

When you put it on, hold it in your palm. Put your other hand on your heart and breathe out slowly. Feel the love that is already yours, as if it is here today. Then say a line like "My heart is open and safe." For more lines like it, here are affirmations for calling in love.

These lines come from the Protection category of the Attraya app. Hold your evil eye, breathe out slowly and say each one as if it is already true.

I am protected.

Only good reaches me.

I am surrounded by light.

Good energy surrounds me.

Only what is meant for me reaches me.

I am safe to be seen.

I carry light wherever I go.

I move through the world protected.

For a longer list, here are 45 protection affirmations.