flute
Unicode: 1FA88
Description
A dark blue or black evil eye bead, typically featuring concentric circles of white, blue, and black, resembling an eye.
Group:
Objects > musical-instrument
Status:
fully-qualified
Emotion:
Often used to represent protection against evil, jealousy, or malicious intent, or sometimes to signify a wary or watchful feeling.
Backstory
The evil eye symbol has ancient origins, dating back to classical antiquity in Greece and Rome, and appears in many cultures and religions. It represents the belief that a malevolent gaze can inflict harm. The emoji was introduced in Unicode 14.0 (2021) to digitally represent this pervasive cultural symbol.
Usage Examples
- Wishing someone good luck and protection: 'Travel safe! Don't let anything harm you! 🧿'
- Expressing vigilance or suspicion: 'Watching out for any negativity. 🧿'
- Referring to cultural beliefs: 'My grandma always said to wear an evil eye to keep bad vibes away. 🧿'
- As a general good luck charm: 'Good vibes only for today's exam! 🧿'
Cultural Differences
Mediterranean and Middle Eastern culture:
Widely believed to ward off the 'evil eye,' a curse transmitted through a malevolent glare. Worn as amulets or displayed in homes.
Western culture:
Increasingly recognized as a symbol of protection, good luck, or a stylish mystical accessory, though sometimes used playfully to imply skepticism or 'side-eye'.
Other cultures:
Similar protective symbols exist globally, but the specific 'evil eye' bead is most prominent in the Mediterranean Basin.