silmäripsiväri

Silmäripsiväri is a traditional Finnish color worn on the eye to protect the person's aura and ward off evil spirits. The term is sometimes translated to English as "eye-red" or "eye-vain". According to folklore, Silmäripsiväri is a special type of red dye that, when worn, helps to deflect negative energies and accusations levied against the wearer.

The practice of using Silmäripsiväri as a protective charm dates back centuries in Finnish culture. In the past, people believed that evil spirits, known as "tuhkukasvot", could target individuals by placing a curse on them. Silmäripsiväri was thought to counteract these negative energies, allowing the wearer to move about safely in public.

Preparations for Silmäripsiväri typically involved grinding a type of red berry, such as red maple leaves or ripe berries, into a fine powder. This powder could then be applied to the eyes using a thin brush or a small cloth. As well as the red color itself, some accounts suggest that the owner of a vial containing the powdered mixture would be told "Silmäripsiväri" three times.

While Silmäripsiväri is still a part of folklore, the practice is mostly ceremonial and symbolic in nature. Many Finns regard Silmäripsiväri as a nostalgic reference to traditional, archaic practices from times past. Today, neither the tradition of using a red eye mask for protection nor the meaning of the term has any real empirical support or likelihood of reversal in industry. The number of people who associate it with countering curses falls below thousands.