Nazarlari

Nazarlari is a term used in Turkic languages to refer to the belief in the evil eye and to the manifestations of envy that are thought to bring misfortune. The concept centers on the idea that a look infused with envy or ill will can cause harm, particularly to children, beauty, or success, and that these harms may be warded off by specific practices.

Etymology and usage: The base word nazar means evil eye or look, and the suffix -lari marks plurality or possession in languages such as Uzbek and Turkish. As a phrase, nazarlari can mean "their nazars" or, more broadly, "evil eyes" or "glances" referenced in stories and proverbs.

Cultural context: Nazar beliefs appear across a wide region including Turkey, Azerbaijan, Central Asia, the Balkans, and parts of the Middle East. The evil-eye idea is often tied to social norms about envy and compliments, with explanations in folklore for misfortune attributed to harmful gazes.

Protective practices: People use objects like nazar boncuğu, blue eye amulets, to ward off the evil eye; they also rely on talismans, recitations (duas or prayers), and rituals. Social customs include avoiding excessive praise and performing rituals when signs of misfortune appear.

Contemporary usage: Today nazarlari persists in folklore and is widely represented in jewelry, fashion, and home decor as symbols of protection or cultural identity, even where belief in the literal power of the gaze is less common.

See also: Nazar (evil eye), Nazar boncuğu, Hamsa, Evil eye in popular culture.