As a Greek I do have to admit, we are a superstitious culture. What separates us Greeks then other nationalities in superstition is how they are actually believed and practiced within our population. For example; when seeing a black cat, one will have bad luck in the future, thus some of us (Greeks) wear the mati, or Evil Eye. It is the Evil Eye that protects us from unseeable events of bad luck in the future. The Evil Eye protects those who wear it from others looking to do harm/cause harm. Equate the general concept of the Evil Eye to having a set of eyes that look to avoid/block trouble for you when you are not looking. Aside from its purpose to protect from harm, it is also a beautiful accessory found in many jewerly shops and stores. Having a presence in the fashion industry, one can find evil eyes’ in the colors of dark blue, light blue, and red (primarily).
I wear the Evil Eye for the reason listed in the paragraph above, it protects me. Whenever I wear my mati bracelet, I do not encounter difficulties or unseeable events that are negative. It is a small accessory that I wear on my wrist and works, hence the reason why I wear them religiously throughout all activities (except for intense physical excercise). Growing up in a Greek household, and living and traveling in Greece often, I have been surrounded by the colors of blue and white. While those colors are found all throughout nature, the national flag, and the mati, I love wearing them. The colors and mati remind me of my time spent living in Greece, so it does not bother me wearing them wherever I go. The primary purpose of the mati is to protect me, yet I have also found it to be a representation of my fond memories, heritage, and beliefs.
As mentioned many do believe on the mati within Greece, yet there are also those who do not. I would say there is over half the population that believes in the mati, while the others do not believe that it works at all. And it is a clear divide too, there are no people who are in the middle, you either truly believe in the mati or do not whatsoever. The mati is not only found on bracelets and necklaces, but has found its way on clothing, and is also hung up in any Greek households and businesses for the same purposes. My Father’s Offices, House, Bedroom, Greek businesses in Greece and in the USA (or perhaps anywhere Greeks are outside of Greece) usually have the mati hanging up somewhere. Many Americans have commented on my bracelets as if it were a fashion trend, but I tell them why I wear them and its purpose. Again, I do not wear the mati because I like the look, I wear them for protection and reminders of my nationality, as well as fond memories of beautiful Greece. In fact, next time one is in a Greek household or inside a business owned by a Greek, look around or ask for the Mati inside.
There are many places to buy the mati in Greece or elsewhere, but I only reccomend that you are to buy one in Greece. Shops for religious items (iconography), jewerly boutiqies, street vendors specifically for mati/ related superstition items, and tourists shops are some locations the mati can be bought at. Yet of course, look for the ethnic places to buy the mati, rather than the tourist shops. Of course the world is effected by COVID-19 and many cannot come into Greece to buy the mati, so I will provide a list below on the best places for the mati for you to order online. They are as follows:
–https://www.katerinaioannidis.com/product-category/lux-collections/evil-eye-collection/
–https://www.annamariamazaraki.gr/en/necklaces-evil-eye
Again, the best place to buy the mati is in Greece, in person. Many of these small businesses in Greece do not have any online presence. In order to get the best products, go anywhere in Greece that you are staying and walk around the downtown or streets of the city, and you are bound to find evil eye items and stores. Trust me, there are 4 stores that sell evil eye products within one street block of where I live in the city of Thessaloniki.
Never will the Evil Eye leave my inventory of accessories to wear or belief system. It is ingrained in my mind, and has worked every time in protecting me. One thing many foreigners do not know about Greeks is that we do not want change. When something works, it stays and is repeatedly used, and in this case, that is me wearing the evil eye.
In order for you as a reader to get a visual on the evil eye, I have attached a few pictures below of jewelry, household items, and clothing with the mati on it.
A wise Greek man once said, you learn something new everyday. Today, you (the reader) gained valuable knowledge on the mati and its true purpose, as well as another insider visual on what the culture of Greece is like. Please keep enjoying reading my articles and if you have any suggestions for places for me to travel/try out please let me know in the comments.
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