Have you ever felt like someone or something was out to get you? Or wondered what you’d done to deserve such bad luck? Maybe it was the evil eye – someone cursing you with an evil glare. You might not even be aware that it happened.
No, seriously, people have believed in the evil eye since ancient times. In practically every culture around the world, there are symbols used to ward off curses and put out positive energy. There are all sorts of necklaces, bracelets, and rings to protect against bad luck and bad vibes. But jewelry only guards you while you wear it.
What could be better than permanent protection inked on your skin? We explored the best evil eye tattoo ideas that you can’t take your eyes off of.
Best Evil Eye Tattoo Ideas
Turkish evil eye tattoo on the foot
One of the most popular modern symbols is the blue evil eye amulet. These charms are found throughout Asia and the Mediterranean. In places like Turkey, they are called nazar or nazarlik, and they are forbidden because they clash with the predominant religion, Islam (1).
However, it’s not disrespectful to get an evil eye tattoo (unless you’re Muslim, of course). The blue color comes from pre-Islam times when the ancient Turks worshiped a sky god. Moreover, blue is believed to sidetrack evil energy.
These round eyeball magical charms are always watching out for evil eye curses while guarding the wearer.
Minimalist evil eye tattoo on the hand
If you’re wondering if an evil eye tattoo is worth it, why not start small? This discreet finger tattoo with an alert blue eyeball is always present to keep you safe, but it’s not an in-your-face display (unless you want it to be).
Plus, it wasn’t just the ancient Seljuk Turks who believed in the positive energy of the color blue. Even today in island nations like Trinidad and Tobago, wearing blue guards against evil gazes (2).
Also, we love the placement of the tattoo on the middle finger. No offense to Miley Cyrus, but this little gem is sexier than the evil eye tattoo on her index finger.
Hamsa evil eye tattoo
The Hamsa or Khamsa is sometimes called the hand of Fatima. It’s recognized as Kabbalistic Jewish, Islamic, and Christian as well as a pagan symbol for fertility. Regardless of the culture, it always has a wide-open eye embedded in the palm to guard against curses and evil.
Did you notice that it appears to have two thumbs?
Realistic evil eye tattoo, 3D evil eye tattoo
This gorgeous tattoo tells a story. What do you think it says?
We think the woman is someone that the man loved and who died in a tragic way. Now, her spirit watches over him so that he will have a happier fate.
There’s no fooling around in front of this evil eye tattoo on an arm. It’s so realistic that it creeps us out. Would you have the courage to get inked like this?
Also, we suspect that the white of the eye will be especially brilliant once the tattoo heals
Where is the best place for an evil eye tattoo?
Where should you place an evil eye tattoo? For maximum protection, we suggest exposed skin. It shows that you are alert and watchful. We rather like how this little all-seeing eye tattoo is front and center to face evil head-on.
But we also appreciate having an eye in the back of the head. This evil eye neck tattoo guards against getting stabbed in the back by a cowardly curse.
The decorative border is similar to what you’d see on a Hamsa protective hand that’s popular throughout the Middle East and Europe.
Eye of Horus evil eye tattoo
It’s also a good idea to put an evil eye tattoo on your foot or leg to guard your every footstep.
But what is the evil eye tattoo meaning when it’s blended with the Eye of Horus? It turns out that the ancient Egyptian symbol represents good health and safety, a perfect companion for an active lifestyle.
If anyone’s jealous about your athletic ability, their curse won’t stick.
Greek evil eye tattoo
Here’s a stick and poke evil eye tattoo done in the style of the Greek mati, a protective symbol against bad luck. It’s prominently placed on the forearm, but delicately drawn and very elegant.
Abstract evil eye tattoo
The all-seeing eye is watching over you with help from the evil eye charm below it. However, as attractive as this ink is, we suspect the artist or collector valued form over function. Will the charm work as well without the traditional blue color?
Celebrities and the evil eye
It’s interesting that you can walk into Urban Outfitters and pick up evil eye pillows, charms, and phone cases. Kim Kardashian wears evil eye jewelry and so does Zayn Malik. Heaven knows that fame brings both good and bad attention, so it’s natural that the stars would want to protect themselves. How many other celebrities have you seen with evil eye gear?
Other kinds of tattoos that protect against bad luck and the evil eye
The Italian evil eye tattoo doesn’t have an eyeball. Instead, you’ll see either a little horn that resembles a chili pepper or a hand making devil horns. These symbols ward off malocchio, literally “evil eye”, or “evil gaze” (3).
Literal evil eye tattoo
Don’t take things too seriously. Sometimes life just has ups and downs – it doesn’t mean that someone’s out to get you. On the other hand, if you see a person with this tattoo, perhaps it’s better to avoid them. They seem to be taking the evil eye thing way too literally.
More evil eye tattoo ideas
We hope you found inspiration here today for your next session in the chair. And may you enjoy peace of mind once you have that lucky tattoo you’ve been looking for.
Sources:
1. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/1/23/turkeys-religious-authority-bans-on-evil-eye-charms Turkey’s religious authority denounces ‘evil-eye’ charms, by Andrew Wilks, published 23 Jan 2021
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evil_eye updated January 28, 2022
3. https://thewalrus.ca/i-believe-in-the-evil-eye-and-you-should-too/ I Believe in the Evil Eye—And You Should Too, by Erica Lenti, published October 13, 2017
Pinterest page https://www.pinterest.com/EvileyeTattoos/evil-eye-tattoo/