40 percent of Greeks believe in being jinxed or cursed

There are a lot of superstitions among the Greeks – four out of ten believe that they can be jinxed or cursed.

At the same time, belief in magical practices, as scientific studies show, is widespread worldwide, although the degree of superstition varies depending on the place of birth or residence.

According to believers in the evil eye, “some people are able to send curses or perform magic, as a result of which bad things will happen to someone.

According to a study published in the journal PLoS One by Boris Gershman of the American University in Washington, at least a billion people on our planet believe in magic to one degree or another.

The data was collected in person or by phone from more than 140,000 people in 95 countries and then analyzed by the authors of CNN Greece.

The common idea is that some people have supernatural powers and can harm others. The new study is the most comprehensive of its kind and shows that religious people and women are more prone to witchcraft.

At the same time, there is a belief in magic in all socio-demographic groups.

Higher economic and educational levels somewhat reduce the number of believers in witchcraft, but only slightly – by only 7%.

Living in a particular country is much more influenced. Only 9% of Swedes, for example, believe in witchcraft, compared to 90% among Tunisians.

The study's authors emphasize that we live in the 21st century, but “magical beliefs are still widespread worldwide.

A 2021 Pew Research Center survey found that the belief that people can successfully curse someone is accepted by most major religions, which include Christians, Islamists, Jews, and Hindus, among others.

History of the Evil Eye

A quasi-universal symbol of protection, the evil eye is referred to as μάτι (mati) in Greek. The evil eye's concept and significance is especially prominent in the Mediterranean and West Asia.

The evil eye is a “look” or “stare” that is believed to bring bad luck to the person at whom it is directed for reasons of envy or dislike. The perception of the nature of the phenomenon, its causes, and possible protective measures varies between tribes and cultures. The evil eye is a talisman that is meant to protect you from these evil spirits.