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Post by ingerid on Jul 9, 2007 21:28:14 GMT 10
My mother was born on Castellorizo while my grandfather, a Norwegian engeneer, worked there from 1928-33. When she was born, somebody local gave her a small carrot made of glass ( about 15mm lenght), a little worm, snake, seahorse or something like that ( a green thing) made of glass and a small golden coin. Does anybody know the meaning of these objects?
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Post by saintsimian on Aug 26, 2007 10:29:40 GMT 10
I'm not particularly well-informed about Greek symbols, but the green thing made of glass might be a mati. These things are bluey-green with a white circle so that it looks like an eye. It's a good luck charm that's supposed to ward off the "evil eye". I've never quite known what that is myself, but apparently it's very important. A lot of Greeks still carry these matis about, or hang them on their walls.
I think matis are given to newborn babies as gifts. I've still got the one my yiayia gave to me, but I'm afraid I can't help you as far as the other objects go. The carrot sounds like a slightly bizarre thing to give a baby!
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Post by maggie on Apr 30, 2008 19:06:01 GMT 10
I have been told the eye will only work if given to you as a gift & not bought for yourself. I have also been told it is not to be worn but to put on your front door to keep your home safe
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