Evil Eye Beads: Meaning, History, and How to Use Them

Evil eye beads might look like simple little circles of color, but they carry thousands of years of story, protection, and tradition. If you love jewelry that feels meaningful as well as beautiful, this symbol is a great one to work with.

We’ll walk through the meaning of evil eye beads, where the tradition started, how it spread across the world, and how you can use evil eye beads for jewelry making in your own designs.

What are evil eye beads?

Evil eye beads are usually round or flat beads that look like an eye. Most classic versions are made from glass in layers of dark blue, white, light blue, and black. In Turkish culture, they are often called nazar boncuğu, which means “eye bead.”

These beads are used as amulets. People hang them in homes, wear them as jewelry, or keep them in cars and workplaces as a symbol of protection.

You’ll see the evil eye symbol in:

• Bracelets and anklets
• Necklaces and chokers
• Hoop earrings and charms
• Keychains, bag charms, and home decor

The meaning of the evil eye

To understand the meaning of evil eye in beads, it helps to start with the idea of the “evil eye” itself.

Across many cultures, it is believed to be a harmful glare, usually caused by jealousy or envy. This look is thought to bring bad luck or misfortune to the person it targets.

Evil eye beads are meant to push that negative energy away. Instead of sending harm, the little “eye” on the bead watches over the wearer. In many traditions, if the bead cracks or breaks, people say it has done its job and absorbed something negative on your behalf.

Common themes tied to the beads include:

• Protection from jealousy or gossip
• Guarding against bad luck
• A reminder to stay calm
• A wish for safety during travel or new beginnings

Where did evil eye come from?

The idea of the evil eye is very old. Historians have traced it back thousands of years to ancient Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome.

Over time, the belief spread across:

• The Mediterranean (Greece, Turkey, Italy)
• The Middle East
• North Africa
• South Asia

Glass eye-shaped beads became a popular way to guard against this curse. Archaeologists have found early glass eye beads in Egypt and Mesopotamia, and similar motifs appeared in Greek and Roman jewelry as well.

In Turkey, the classic blue glass evil eye bead is called nazar boncuğu. These beads are still made in traditional furnaces, layered by hand to form that famous blue “eye.”

Why are evil eye beads usually blue?

You’ll see evil eye beads in many colors now, but classic nazar beads are deep blue. Some reasons include:

• In certain regions, blue eyes were once rare and believed to hold strong energy.
• The color blue is often linked with protection and absorbing negativity.
• Early glassmakers in the Mediterranean commonly produced blue glass.

Modern makers get creative with colors too. Here are a few common associations:

• Dark blue: protection, calm
• Light blue: peace, clarity
• Turquoise: healing, positive energy
• White: new beginnings
• Black: strength and grounding
• Gold accents: luck and warmth

Evil eye beads in different cultures

Even though the classic evil eye bead is strongly tied to Turkey, similar symbols appear across many cultures:

• Greece: Known as mati, used in jewelry and home decor
• Middle East & North Africa: Eye motifs on doors, jewelry, and textiles
• Jewish and Middle Eastern traditions: Often paired with the hamsa hand
• South Asia: Similar charms to protect against jealousy and unwanted attention

Across these places, the meaning stays wonderfully consistent: a symbol of protection and good intentions.

Where to buy evil eye beads for jewelry making

If you’re ready to play with this symbol in your own designs, you can find a range of colors, shapes, and styles here:

? Shop evil eye beads at Cherry Tree Beads

You’ll find options that work for:

• Stretch bracelets
• Charms and pendants
• Anklets and necklaces
• Mixed media projects and more

Evil eye beads connect history, symbolism, and style in one meaningful little design element. As a jewelry maker, they give you a chance to create pieces that feel protective, encouraging, and deeply personal.