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Nazar
Bonjuk is a Turkish
good-luck "evil eye" charm, born
of the age-old "evil
eye" superstition that one
person can cast a spell on
another. To prevent this, form
millennia Anatolian artisans have
created blue glass "eyes" that "look" straight
back at the spell-caster as if
to say "I see what you're doing,
and you can't get away with it!"
In
years past, I've sold pouches of
Nazar Bonjuks on TurkeyTravelPlanner.com,
but I've suspended sales for the
time being.
The
Nazar Bonjuk (nah-ZAHR bohn-jook)
has no religious significance,
and few people really believe in
the evil eye superstition anymore.
But it's such an enjoyable tradition,
and a beautiful little piece of craft-art,
that you'll
see Nazar Bonjuks all over
Turkey.
Especially
on babies!
No self-respecting Turkish parents,
no matter how worldly or sophisticated,
would allow their precious bundle
of joy to spend an unguarded moment
without a Nazar Bonjuk pinned
to its snuggly, sunsuit or diaper.
The
Nazar Bonjuk is not just for kids.
I once attended a posh formal
dinner hosted by a Turkish-American
association in a luxurious Manhattan
hotel. The elegant ladies were all
in long gowns, the men in sharp tuxedos.
Sure enough, one graceful lady circulated
through the well-dressed crowd during
the cocktail hour pinning Nazar
Bonjuks on frilly straps and
satin lapels. Everyone must
be well protected!
The
best Nazar Bonjuk evil eye
charms are hand-crafted of blown
glass in Turkey, and appear in many
shapes and sizes. You'll see them
on sale in Turkish bazaars and handicraft
shops.
Here
are more
examples of Nazars straight
from Turkey, and on-the-road
stories about Nazars!
Nazars
Seen in Turkey
Nazar
Stories
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