Apotropaic magic (from Greek apotrepein, to ward off : apo-, away + trepein, to turn) is a type of magic intended to "turn away" harm or evil influences, as in deflecting misfortune or averting the evil eye. "Apotropaic" observances may also be practiced out of vague superstition or out of tradition, as in good luck charm (perhaps some token on a charm bracelet), amulets, or gestures like fingers crossed or knocking on wood. The Greeks made offerings to the Averting Gods, (Ἀποτρόπαιοι θεοί: Apotropaioi Theoi), chthonic deities and heroes who grant safety and deflect evil.
Similarly the grotesque faces carved into pumpkin lanterns (and their earlier counterparts, made from turnips, swedes or beets) at Halloween are meant to avert evil: this season was Samhain, the Celtic new year and, as a "time between times", it was believed that souls of the dead and other dangerous spirits walked the earth at this time. (See also: Celtic calendar)
In Roman art, apotropaic imagery was a common theme. Envy was thought to bring bad luck to the person envied. To avoid envy Romans sought to incite laughter in their guests by using apotropaic images. Images such as large phalluses (see fascinum), deformities like hunchbacks, or non-Roman subjects such as pygmies and black Africans were common. Romans saw deformity as funny and thus believed you could use images of deformity to keep away the evil eye.
It is difficult to differentiate between items supposed to avert evil and items intended to attract good fortune.
Cast-off horseshoes are often nailed up over, or close by, doorways, normally with the ends pointing upwards; it is said to collect good luck, or to stop the luck from falling out (see Oakham's horseshoes). Model horseshoes (of card or plastic) are given as good-luck tokens, particularly atweddings, and small paper horseshoes feature in confetti.
White heather is often sold by Irish travelling people and Roma to "bring good luck". (Frequently this turns out to be not heather but white sea-lavender, a species of Limonium.)
Apotropaic symbols
Eyes were often painted to ward off the evil eye. An exaggerated apotropaic eye was painted on Greek drinking vessels in the 6th century BC to ward off evil spirits while drinking. Fishing boats in some parts of the Mediterranean region still have stylised eyes painted on the bows. A Turkish budget airline has adopted the symbol (known as Nazar boncuğu or Nazar bonjuk) as a motif for the vertical stabilizer of its aeroplanes. The Yiddish expression, "Kain ein horeh" is apotropaic in nature, and literally translates to "no evil eye," somewhat equivalent to the expression, "Knock on wood."
Among the Ancient Greeks the most widely-used image intended to avert evil was that of the Gorgon, the head of which now may be called theGorgoneion, which features wild eyes, fangs, and protruding tongue. The full figure of the Gorgon holds the apex of the oldest remaining Greek temple where she is flanked by two lionesses. The Gorgon head was mounted on the aegis and shield of Athena.
Similarly the grotesque faces carved into pumpkin lanterns (and their earlier counterparts, made from turnips, swedes or beets) at Halloween are meant to avert evil: this season was Samhain, the Celtic new year and, as a "time between times", it was believed that souls of the dead and other dangerous spirits walked the earth at this time. (See also: Celtic calendar)
The doorways and windows of buildings were felt to be particularly vulnerable to evil. On churches and castles, gargoyles or othergrotesque faces and figures such as Sheela na Gigs and Hunky Punks would be carved to frighten away witches and other malign influences. Those other openings, fireplaces or chimneys, may also have been carved. Rather than figural carvings, these seem to have been simple geometric or letter carvings. Where a wooden post was used to support a chimney opening, this was often an easier subject for amateur carving. To further discourage witchcraft, rowan wood may have been chosen for it.
Mirrors and other shiny objects were believed to deflect the evil eye. Traditional English "Plough Jags" (performers of a regional variant of the mummers play) sometimes decorated their costumes (particularly their hats) with shiny items, even to the extent of borrowing silver plate for the purpose. "Witch balls" are shiny blown glass ornaments, like Christmas baubles, that were hung in windows.
Symbols such as crucifixes, silver bullets, wild roses and garlic were believed to ward off or destroy vampires.
In Ireland and Great Britain, magpies are traditionally thought to bring bad luck and many people repeated various rhymes or salutations to placate them.
In Roman art, apotropaic imagery was a common theme. Envy was thought to bring bad luck to the person envied. To avoid envy Romans sought to incite laughter in their guests by using apotropaic images. Images such as large phalluses (see fascinum), deformities like hunchbacks, or non-Roman subjects such as pygmies and black Africans were common. Romans saw deformity as funny and thus believed you could use images of deformity to keep away the evil eye.
In Ancient Greece, phalli were believed to have apotropaic qualities. Often stone reliefs would be placed above doorways, but there were also many three-dimensional renditions erected across the Greek world. Most notable of these were the urban monuments found on the island of Delos. Grotesque, satyr-like beaded faces, sometimes with the pointed cap of the workman, appeared often over the doors of ovens and kilns, to protect the work from fire and mishap. A similar use of phallic representations to ward off the evil eye remains popular in modern Bhutan and is associated with the 500 year old Buddhist tradition of Drukpa Kunley. It is paralleled by other south Asian uses of the lingam symbol.
Some argue that in modern times the use of the phrase "no copyright intended" or "no copyright infringement intended" functions as apotropaic magic to ward off ContentID, which automates the detection of content that infringes copyright, or other negative influences from uploaded YouTube videos.
Good luck tokens and charmsIt is difficult to differentiate between items supposed to avert evil and items intended to attract good fortune.
Cast-off horseshoes are often nailed up over, or close by, doorways, normally with the ends pointing upwards; it is said to collect good luck, or to stop the luck from falling out (see Oakham's horseshoes). Model horseshoes (of card or plastic) are given as good-luck tokens, particularly atweddings, and small paper horseshoes feature in confetti.
White heather is often sold by Irish travelling people and Roma to "bring good luck". (Frequently this turns out to be not heather but white sea-lavender, a species of Limonium.)
In Ireland, St Brigid's crosses woven from rush were kept indoors (in houses and animal houses) to keep away illness for the year.
In Native American culture a dreamcatcher is used as a charm to protect sleeping children from nightmares.