On the island a lot of people are inquisitive as to what is the meaning of the evil eye and what should they buy.From my enthusiasm to learn and enjoy selling I start by asking the people who believe in it. Amazing listening to reasons why and how it started.
I always believed it was only in Greece,but to my surprise the eye is used in many countries such as Africa,Spain,Italy,Asian countries and even in Ireland worn or displayed in many ways.We all have grown up with the concept of keeping a new born baby in doors for several weeks and placing a small blue medal around or attached to part of the clothing of the baby in warding off and bringing positive for a good life and health to the baby and this still is practise.In the historical times of pirate ships the eye was placed in most cases in the hull of the ships in a form of rapping garlic in linen creating the form of the eye or painting the eye on the ship.Here in Greece the most traditional way of displaying this belief is making from a collection of beads,small pieces of material,and little trinkets that are made into mobiles or jewellery, as we don't want to acknowledge to people their negativity towards us.
The most well known gift that is bought on the island are the bright colourful hanging ceramic balls found in Epilekton shop situated across from the famous church Panagia Platsani in the main square on the caldera.But go in and check out on their walls the traditional hanging mobiles,or ask for more information.On the island a lot of people are inquisitive as to what is the meaning of the evil eye and what should they buy.From my enthusiasm to learn and enjoy selling I start by asking the people who believe in it. Amazing listening to reasons why and how it started.
For those who are lovers or interested in ships you will love some of the mermaid wooden carvings that can be found in Epilekton shop which was also used to ward-off negativity and protection on the high seas of the pass which were displayed on the front of the pirate ships,they have become interesting and great pieces of art to be displayed as an entrance feature or on a wall in you house.
What is the real meaning of the eye is interpreted by each person,but what I found out about the evil eye made me say "What I didn't know that "was when they say people with blue eyes can reflect the negativity in Greece and in Ireland people with green eyes also can do the same which means I who have green eyes must be able to, but all the responses I receive are complements of how good they are. In the end it is not the colour but we all should feel good and give a positive outlook towards people and the world . https://www.google.co.uk/maps/preview#!q=churches+in+oia+santorini+greece&data=!1m4!1m3!1d5632!2d25.3811604!3d36.46242!4m20!1m19!4m8!1m3!1d4935928!2d-2.3278149!3d52.8382005!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!10b1!17b1!26m3!1e12!1e13!1e3!27m3!1schurches!2sOia%2C+Greece!3s0x1499cb8b1c44c1a9%3A0x400bd2ce2b9c750
This has been copied from other text :
The evil eye, known as μάτι (mati), "eye," as a visual device, is known to have been a fixture in Greece dating back to at least the 6th century BC, when it commonly appeared on drinking vessels. In Greece the evil eye is cast away through the process of xematiasma (ξεμάτιασμα), whereby the "healer" silently recites a secret prayer passed over from an older relative of the opposite sex, usually a grandparent Such prayers are revealed only under specific circumstances, for according to superstitions those who reveal them indiscriminately lose their ability to cast off the evil eye. There are several regional versions of the prayer in question, a common one being: "Holy Virgin Our Lady, if [insert name of the victim] is suffering of the evil eye, release him/her of it."Evil repeated three times. According to custom, if one is indeed afflicted with the evil eye, both victim and "healer" then start yawning profusely.
Another "test" used to check if the evil eye was cast is that of the oil: under normal conditions, olive oil floats in water, as it is less dense than water. The test of the oil is performed by placing one drop of olive oil in a glass of water, typically holy water. If the drop floats, the test concludes there is no evil eye involved. If the drop sinks, then it is asserted that the evil eye is cast indeed. Another form of the test is to place two drops of olive oil into a glass of water. If the drops remain separated, the test concludes there is no evil eye, but if they merge, there is. There is also a third form where in a plate full of water the "healer" places three or nine drops of oil. If the oil drops become larger and eventually dissolve in the water there is evil eye. If the drops remain separated from water in a form of a small circle there isn't. The first drops are the most important and the number of drops that dissolve in water indicate the strength of the evil eye.
There is another form of the "test" where the "healer" sets on fire using a matchstick a clove which is then thrown in water. If the clove "explodes" upon touching water the evil eye was cast. If it burns out silently it wasn't.
All of the above methods are usually performed by an old lady, who is known for her healing, or a grandparent.
No comments:
Post a Comment