The Great Black Indian Dot: Protection or Superstition?

The evil eye is a curse believed to be cast by an ill glare, usually given to a person when they’re unaware. Many cultures believe that receiving the evil eye will cause misfortune and this can be avoided by a black dot.

Origin of the black dot as a protection

The evil eye is a curse or legend believed to be cast by a malevolent glare, usually given to a person when they are unaware. The idea believed among the many Mediterranean and Asian tribes and cultures.

Though moles erupt on many faces as embarrassing ugly spots, it’s a custom to put a black dot on a baby’s face to protect it from harm coming as a result of praise, since all babies attract praise because of their cute looks.

Although the origin is unknown, the belief in the evil eye is strongest in West Asia, Latin America, Africa, Central America, Central Asia, and Europe, especially the Mediterranean region; it has also spread to areas, including northern Europe.

Several beliefs about the evil eye are also found in folk religion, typically revolving around the use of amulets or talismans as a means of protection.

Is applying a black dot relevant?

I don’t know about other cultures but I’ve seen Indian parents tying black threads and applying a black dot on the child’s forehead. It’s quite ridiculous as per my limited knowledge because it defies the true essence of religion and spirituality. In fact, it questions the existence of God; which is anyway a topic of discussion.

Cult practices like tying black threads and applying a black dot on a child’s forehead are unscientific, illogical and might give a wrong signal to the generations to come.

A different perspective

It’s believed, in all cultures, that a child has come from God’s home. Children are innocent and pure. They’re nearest to God, innocent, pure, fearless, positive and full of divine energies.

Children are the most resilient creatures on the planet and don’t need protection. Adults are most vulnerable and need protection and if these cult practices have to be practiced, it should be done on adults, not children.

Children are a heritage from the Lord. 

Psalm 127:3-5

In ancient wisdom

Following a particular ritual blindly is also a sin; as per ancient scriptures. Faith has to be with true understanding; only then it’s real benefit might be achieved. Upanishads emphasize a lot on understanding the essence of rituals and practices. It also guides us to be logical and not fall into the trap of ignorance.

Lead us from ignorance to truth, lead us from darkness to light, lead us from death to eternity. 

Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

I feel that we should stay away from such illogical, irreligion and unscientific cult practices that bring shame and demean the entire existence of such a beautiful creation.

Conclusion

I don’t know about right or wrong, but I feel we shouldn’t follow it blindly because others are doing it or our older generations have been following it. It might give a wrong message for the generation to come and they might fall into the trap of superstitions and make a wrong image of religion.

If all the problem in the world is because of the so-called evil eye, we all should be wearing pitch-black clothes round the clock.