Nazar battu
A deliberate flaw or charm to ward off the evil eye.
A Nazar battu is an object, pattern, or mark used in North India and Pakistan to protect against the evil eye, known as nazar. The term comes from Hindustani and is related to Persian and Afghan protective practices such as the cheshm nazar. Its use is notable for introducing deliberate imperfections to avert envy or harm.
Quick Facts
- Region
- North India and Pakistan
- Alternate names
- cheshm nazar, nazar qurbāni (Persian and Afghan folklore)
- Hindi-urdu slogan
- Chashm-e-Baddoor
- Specific regional amulet
- silver-mounted leopard nails in Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh
Facts from the source article.
Forms
A nazar battu is a deliberate imperfection meant to ward off the evil eye. A black mark, known as kaala teeka in Hindi-Urdu and tor khaal in Pushto, is often applied to a loved one’s face or neck. Homes may include a small, intentional flaw in their design, and costly items like carpets or saris sometimes feature a purposeful mistake in color or stitching. Protective amulets are widespread; some resemble the Turkish nazar boncuğu, while others are threads, occasionally with a taveez—a tiny cylinder holding a prayer verse. Regional variations exist, such as silver-mounted leopard nails used in Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh. Mothers may lightly spit to the side of their children as a ritual gesture of disparagement, and children are marked with a black spot on the cheek. These customs guard against nazar, which is believed to be attracted by excessive admiration, even from well-meaning people. The practices protect children from the evil eye that could arise from their own mothers’ intense love.
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