According to a recent article on The New York Times site entitled, “Beware the Evil Eye. Or Buy One, Just For Kicks”, over 71,000 items appear on Etsy when searching the phrase “evil eye jewelry”. In the same article we are told that modern-day designers like Michaels Kors and Atelier Swarovski have been creating pieces based on the concept. B.BéNI Jewelry recently posted an article that looks at evil eye jewelry from a Biblical perspective:
Evil eye jewelry. For the last few years it seems to be EVERYWHERE. We have to admit, some of it is pretty cool looking. With endorsements from many A-list celebrities as well as quite a few high end jewelry lines embracing the trend and creating just about every style of gemstone encrusted evil eye, one could imagine that this is an exciting new trend.
The reality is that the evil eye amulet has been a source of fascination for many thousands of years. The earliest roots of belief in the evil eye as well as ways to protect against it were found in many ancient civilizations—including those of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Phoenicia, and Greece — as well as the Old Testament. Actually, archaeological evidence reveals that amulets were very common in the ancient cultures, especially among pagan peoples.
What is wearing the evil eye actually supposed to do?
For thousands of years, the look given to someone known as “the evil eye” is said to have afflicted countless people everywhere. Now, to clarify, this is not evil eye jewelry (amulets), which supposedly repels the curse, but the actual evil eye glare which is supposedly a curse… yes, this is confusing!
The belief is that with a covetous gaze, a person can curse another, their children, or even their property with misfortune, illness, or death. This glare, prompted by envy or greed, is given to inflict suffering, harm, and bad luck on the recipient.
Those who fear the evil eye have created several defenses against it. Incantations, amulets, and rituals (like spitting three times). But one talisman has proved to be the most well-known and popular: an amulet of an eye, which is meant to deflect envious onlookers.
The evil eyes that are popular are typically a blue circle with an eye shape in the middle. They derive their name from the feared evil eye glare. People believe the charms act as a shield, protecting against the effects of receiving the evil eye glare.
So now we know exactly what wearing an evil eye is supposed to accomplish. How does that line up with what the Bible says? Whenever amulets, idols, and other magic charms are mentioned in the Bible, God’s attitude is very much against them and those who place their trust in them. “I have hated those who regard useless idols; but I trust in the Lord” (Psalm 31:6, NKJV).
The word of God tells us that If we believe that we need protection from evil and demonic powers, God has something far superior to protective amulets and idols. “I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.’ Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday” (Psalm 91:2-6, NKJV)
“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. . . . Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:11, 14-17, (NIV).
B.BéNI offers a selection of jewelry including bracelets, necklaces, sterling silver, earrings, Christian jewelry and more. More information is available at the website at http://www.bbeni.com.
