Apotropaic magic facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Nazar boncuğu tailfin
The ancient blue and white "Nazar boncuğu" is a symbol against the evil eye. Here the stylised eye appears on a Turkish airplane

Apotropaism or apotropaic magic is the use of magic rituals against evil or harmful influences like the evil eye or invidia, which was thought to cause injury or bad luck. This can be a long ritual, or it can take the form of simply wearing an amulet or other token, against bad luck.

Images for kids

  • Egyptian - Magic Wand Depicting a Procession of Deities - Walters 71510

    This apotropaic wand shows a procession of protective deities. Such a wand would have been used in rituals associated with birth and would perhaps be used to draw a magical circle around the mother and child. Walters Art Museum, Baltimore.

  • Dacian apotropaic eyes motif Iron Gate helmet

    Geto-Dacian apotropaic eyes motif on the Helmet of Iron Gates (4th century BC)

  • Apotropaic pentagram at Niemala

    Apotropaic marking on a farmhouse from Niemelä Tenant Farm, now exhibited at Seurasaari Open Air Museum in Finland

  • Itsukushima charms

    Amulets for specific purposes on sale at a Shinto shrine in Japan

  • Votive tree cappadocia

    The tree covered with Nazars against malefice

  • Gorgon at the Corfu Archaelogical Museum

    Chalcidian black-figured eye-cup, circa 530 BC. Staatliche Antikensammlungen.

  • Kilpeck Sheelagh na Gig

    A 12th-century Sheela na Gig on the church at Kilpeck, Herefordshire


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Apotropaic magic Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.