The Greek Evil Eye (Mati): Meaning and How to Wear It

By Michelle Malolos

The evil eye, called mati in Greek, is a protective amulet against envy. The belief is that an admiring or jealous look can bring bad luck; the painted eye stares back and deflects it. Greeks pin it on newborns, hang it in homes and wear it daily, and it is one of the oldest symbols in continuous use.

The Evil Eye Necklace

Where the belief comes from

The idea of a harmful gaze appears in ancient Greek and Roman writing, including Plutarch, who discussed why certain people were thought to cast it. In the 6th century BC, Athenian potters painted large eyes on drinking cups, called eye cups, which scholars often read as protective. Glass eye beads were traded across the Mediterranean for centuries before that.

What it means in a Greek home

In Greece, being struck by the evil eye is matiasma: a sudden headache, fatigue or run of bad luck after someone's praise. Many families still have a relative who knows the prayer to lift it, the xematiasma. Santisima is a Greek-American, family-run house, and the mati is the symbol we grew up with.

Do the colors mean anything?

The classic mati is a dark blue eye with a white and light blue ring. Dark blue is the traditional color of protection. Modern versions use other colors for other wishes, but cobalt remains the one Greeks recognize.

Two ways to wear it

Evil Eye Earrings with Enamel

Can you buy an evil eye for yourself?

Yes. A common Greek saying holds that the mati works best as a gift, but there is no rule against buying your own. It is also one of the most traditional gifts for a newborn, a new home or a new job.

FAQ

What does the evil eye protect against? Envy, ill wishes and the bad luck said to follow them.

What happens if an evil eye bead breaks? Tradition says it absorbed something meant for you. Replace it.

Is the evil eye Greek or Turkish? Both, and older than either. It is shared across Greece, Turkey, the Middle East and the Mediterranean.