Another whacky post but this *is* Lounge ain't it?!1 Mati eye, evil eye

[UTUSN]

I got confused in the Wiki education because I couldn't tell whether all these products are to PROTECT you (if you are the owner) *against* the evil eye or whether you are to cast a spell by GIVING it to horrible people. sPlain it to me, Lucy!1

[UTUSN]

1. Any "Grecians" or "Brazillions" in here?!1 n/t

[rug]

2. Why don't you just have a seat.

Somebody wll be along any minute to answer your questions.

[UTUSN]

3. That's why I come here, 'cause somebody always does!1 n/t

[UTUSN]

4. It's like Hagar the Horrible's ship with the scared eye at the bow!1

[bluesbassman]

5. Hmmm....

[UTUSN]

16. That's IT, exactly!1 n/t

[Ptah]

6. Hmm.

[Kali]

7. they are to protect

I have a number of glass nazars from Turkey that look similar to that.





Also look at the hamsa - hand of Fatima (or Miriam). It dawned on me that it must be the origin of the Navajo squash blossom design - it also looks like a pomegranite if you think about it - that Moorish influence on the Spaniards in turn influencing the art of the New World.





I have a silver pendant necklace hamsa probably from Morocco that I love to wear around my rural area. I like to tell people who comment on it that one of the cool things about it is that it is a talisman used by both Jews and Muslims.

Wow I just learned something from Wiki - it is also used by Christians and is known as the hand of Mary.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamsa

[UTUSN]

8. Thanks for that. Here's the website of Greek things that got me onto this

Last edited Wed Jun 6, 2012, 12:55 PM - Edit history (1)

Started with the COTTON Greek fisherman's caps. I've had a woolen one and never worn it for years, then tried it on and it actually looked great on me, which is a difficult proposition to carry off. So then this site has tons of fascinating stuff, whole sections of the mati eyes.

http://www.greekshops.com/index.aspx Am looking for your hamsa Fatima/Miriam with the fingers pointing up instead of down, but this danged website is too big, can't find it and am getting cross eyed from scrolling.


Ain't this GORGEOUS?!1

*************QUOTE*************



This unique one sided horseshoe shaped sterling silver pendant features the Greek Key Motif, also known as the Meander or eternity symbol, bordering a beautiful glass Evil Eye. The reverse side of the pendant has a punched silver detail. The generous-sized sterling silver ring attached to the top (loop approx. 4mm) allows this beautiful charm to be strung on almost any chain or cord of your choice.

Made in Greece
Sterling Silver (925 Stamp), Glass
Approx. 14mm (.55 in) x 13mm (.51 in)
Approx. 23mm (.91 in) length with silver ring

History
In art and architecture, a meander is a decorative border constructed from a continuous line, shaped into a repeated motif. Such a design is also called the Greek Fret or Greek Key design, although these are modern words. The name "meander" recalls the twisting and turning path of the Maeander River. Meanders were among the most important symbols in ancient Greece; they, perhaps, symbolized infinity and unity; many ancient Greek temples incorporated the sign of the meander.


*************UNQUOTE*************

[Kali]

9. oooo YES! I love that! gorgeous!

interesting and so cool how all these symbols are so similar

all the hamsas I have (a couple more from Egypt) pont down - I have a horseshoe shaped thing from there too. Time for a picture.

Speaking of Egypt I just posted a big picture thread in GD - check it out if you want to see some cool street art http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002775958.

back in a minute with pix of my house decor

[UTUSN]

10. Here's an "up" hamsa from the random web, got tired of searching that website

The one in the website is much nicer than this one.

[Kali]

11. most of my "collection"

ceramic "spider balls" (evil eye protection) from Turkey approx. 4 inch diameter




(rue?) seeds and fabric "god's eye" from Turkey (I think these are sort of temporary decorations used on a holiday or festival type situation, never found a good explanation but HAD to buy a few!!!) approx 9 x 18 inches




beaded hamsa/god's eye from Egypt (Bedouin?) approx 2 x 3 inches




tin w/plastic beads hamsa from Egypt - often seen in taxis approx 4 x 6 inches




filigree and glass beads, Egypt approx2 x 3 inches




blue painted tin hamsa, Egypt approx 3 x 5 inches



Tuareg cross, Morocco 1.5 x 2.5 inches and silver filagree hamsa bought in Turkey but probably also Moroccan (or Tunesian) 1 x 2 inches




detail off my first silly ebay purchase, a saddle - from Egypt hahaha! (I'm not really obsessed most of these were actually gifts) note the dingleberry thingys on the left are hands and the ones on the right are stylized and note how the whole object looks EXACTLY like the central pendant of a typical Navajo squash blossom necklace

[UTUSN]

15. OMZ!1 All lovely!1 I'll be over with a U-Haul!1 n/t

[dixiegrrrrl]

12. Kali...what are nazars?

They look marvelous, esp in a collection.

[Kali]

13. they are glass disks with the blue eye pattern like on the cup in the OP

sometimes they are bead shaped, but usually more of a disk, usually with a hole in the top for hanging. I have some key chains and they are sold all over in all sizes but I think mostly they are to protect homes or buildings - you hand them indoors or out (like horseshoes)

I saw some big ones inbedded in concrete like tiles almost - that was really pretty.

[dixiegrrrrl]

14. So they are more decorative than functional, I take it.

I did not know if they were a glass flask or canteen, from the angle of the pic.
very pretty tho.

[Kali]

17. yes more decorative (depends on your superstions though - heh)

and solid - so the bigger ones are kind of heavy although I am sure there are plastic versions like everything else in the world