The Cultural Meaning of Turkish Evil Eye Beads
Turkish evil eye beads, known as nazar boncuğu, are blue glass charms associated with protection from the evil eye in Turkish culture. Their concentric circles create an eye-like motif, and the beads are commonly seen in homes, cars, jewelry, shops, and gifts.
In this vertical photograph, several deep blue beads hang in front of a softly blurred outdoor background. The nearest charms remain crisp while the warmer natural colors behind them fade away, giving the familiar glass eyes a strong presence in the frame.
The beads are traditionally believed to guard against envy, harmful attention, or bad energy. That belief is part of a long cultural tradition, but the photograph does not ask the viewer to treat supernatural protection as a proven fact. For me, the appeal lies in the meeting point between belief, craft, color, and an instantly recognizable Turkish symbol.
I photographed these hanging beads during an Islands visit in April 2024. When I wrote the original version of this post, I was not in a particularly good mood, and the text felt flatter than the photograph deserved. Looking at the image again, I notice the depth, the small reflections in the glass, and the quiet atmosphere around the display.
For another photograph shaped by one of my island walks, you can also see this rock rose flower with a Mediterranean sea view.
BE
