lol i got it ,but then that is a new concept of the blue evil eye,lol

İ wonder was it deep blue,baby blue,or what ?? lol

My understanding of the meaning of the nazar boncuğu or nazarlık, for Turkish people is that it wards off the 'evil' eye of others, particularly the evil looks of the envious.

I think 'nazar' is what we in England would call 'luck/fortune/ (good or bad, although it means 'evil eye'). So basically the concept is something like, the nazar boncuk is a kind of message saying 'I can 'see' your envy/evil intentions, so you cant hurt me! Well this is a bit of a simple meaning I guess, but its all a bit hard to translate into english.


The Turkish concept of saying 'Maşallah!'when things are going well or before a compliment to someone is a similar kind of thing. If you don't say it, then it is bad luck and you are inviting misfortune! For example, if you say to a new parent 'congratulations on a beautiful new baby' - you must say 'Maşallah' first or it will be bad luck for the baby. Maşallah, translates into something like 'by Gods will', but not saying it can invite 'nazar' which as I said means 'evil eye'.

There are lots of other countries use something similar try this link for a discussion on all of them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evil_eye

I hope everyone is well.

Nazar,not just a meaning to Turkish people,Nazar is meaning to all Muslims,
İt is simply close as you put it,it means this one 'which not good ofcourse' is enving the other for what they have
No matter what they have is ,money,health,kids...anything
But not just enving them,wishing he could have same,but he actually want them to lose what they have too

And nazar boncuğu is some sort of believe,or something that this blue eye,will back ward this bad look or Nazar,to the one who is enving or making this Nazar
Maybe not true,but it is kind of old believes

But ofcourse the right thing,or the true thing is to say
Maşallah or 'Besm ALLAH maşallah'that is what İslam asked us to say when having something good,or seeing something good,no matter if this thing belong to us or to others

As a wish or Doa etmek'prayer' that ALLAH will take care of it,so with ALLAH well,nothing would harm it,not even bad eye,or Nazar

So it is always better to say it first thing,even before saying congratulations over anything,it would be much appreciated from others too

Thank you Canlı. Can you just repeat the full words, 'Besm Allah, Maşallah' Is it 'Besm' or is there a typing mistake? Sorry, but I want to be sure. Is it arabic?

As a non-muslim in Türkiye, would it be weird to use those words?

I decided for myself I will not use them till I'm fluent anyways, but will it still be weird then?

Not wierd,but i guess they would just think how did you knew them
İt is some kind of words that use in daily life,and it is more like a wish or doa atmek, so it would be appreciated by all means
Sure anywhere when you find someone who is praying for you ,you would appreciate it
İ am Muslim and i have a British friend He is Catholic when i had an examp,he lighten an Candle for me,i really appreciated this from him
And when he got important job,i pray for him too,and sometimes he ask me even to pray

So it is all appreciated in all countries and in all religions i think

Selam Kızım.
I always use Maşallah! and Inşallah! I think it might sound weird to my UK friends and family, but my Turkish friends love me saying it and are very happy when I do.

Actually the other day, my Turkish friend in my house said. ' I am feeling very tired today and it is your fault!'
'What' I replied, 'how is it my fault?'
He said. 'You said to me, "Oh Yakup, you have so much energy, you are always busy and fast." and you didn't say "
Maşallah!', so now I am tired....'

He was kind of joking, but I know he meant it! Lots of Turkish people are very superstitious about this. I am sure that you can say it and all your Turkish friends will not think you are weird, but be very happy. Your Dutch friends and family might feel differently

Whahah yeah I think so

Good to see you back Annelyncim..!!

We were at a nargile-cafe each night and grew familiar with one of the waiters and the yenge.. and she apparantly told her friends about us, because when we passed her and her friends, they all said 'maşallah, so sweet!'.. hehe !


I'm becoming superstitious too (is that the right spelling?).. I got a nazar when I was born from a Greek uncle.. I always put it on when I go into the car or plane.. and now I won't take it off till I'm safe in türkiye again and I think i'll wear it there too