WHAT DOES THE RED OJO BRACELET MEAN?

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All mal de ojo amulets ultimately serve the same function—to protect against negative energies and forces. Each different color ojo offers other unique benefits too. So, what does the red ojo bracelet mean?

**RED MAL DE OJO BRACELET MEANING**

Given its popularity and adoption across humanity, throughout various cultures and religions, the evil eye can have different meanings and interpretations. For the purpose of this article, we’ll mainly focus on mal de ojo as it’s perceived across Spanish-speaking geographies, like Spain and Latin America, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

Ojo is the Spanish word for “eye.” It can refer to mal de ojo, “evil eye,” ojo Turco, “Turkish eye,” or ojo Griego, “Greek eye.” In addition to offering protection from harm, injury, and other bad luck, the red ojo protects your love life and relationships close to your heart.

In most cultures around the world, red is associated with love and fiery passion. The same color as our hearts.

Maybe you’ve experienced others looking upon your love life with jealousy and envy. Perhaps you’ve sensed judgment or received unkind words about a relationship’s future.

This form of the evil eye is no different than the forces that seek to harm, injure, or bring bad luck to persons or property.

The red ojo bracelet is recommended when you feel that your love life, relationship, or partner is in danger of negative people around you. It’s also useful when you’re desiring a relationship with someone. You can protect against any bad luck from someone getting in the way of your happiness.

MAL DE OJO ORIGINS

The ojo amulet itself is typically referred to as an ojo Turco and not a mal de ojo in Spanish. It’s because the evil eye carries negative energies and the Turkish eye deflects them.

Spanish speakers refer to the ojo as either Turco or Griego largely in part to the geographical origins of the evil eye legend. It’s in Turkey where the evil eye is most widespread—hence the Turco namesake in Spanish.

The evil eye is thought to have emerged from Mesopotamia, which later became the Ottoman Empire. Today, it’s now largely the area of the Mediterranean that overlaps with modern-day Turkey and Greece. The mal de ojo’s original name and what it’s still referred to as in much of the world is nazar. Nazar means “look” in the Arabic language.

It would be uncommon to find a red ojo bracelet in this part of the world today. Blue ojos are the most common color found in Turkey, and other Muslim countries, where it’s thought to be the most powerful color of protection.

In places like Morocco and Algiers, it’s common to find blue eyes on horses and camels. Even today, in the Aegean region, blue is supposed to bring good fortune; this is why the doors of the houses and the roofs of the churches in the Greek islands are blue. In Greece and Armenia, children wear blue eye beads on their clothing.

MAL DE OJO IN HISTORY

Evil eye beliefs exist in almost every culture across the world.

References to the evil eye have been found in cave paintings and medieval historical records. The existence of this ancient belief is present throughout all of human history.

It is mentioned in the Bible as well as in Sumerian and other ancient texts, making it more than 5,000 years old. Warding off harm from evil gazes and maligned praises has been a challenge for humanity since the dawn of man.

From the 16th to 18th centuries, you could’ve been executed, and often were, if your cat became ill. This passed as evidence for being guilty of possessing evil eye powers.

Fortunately, the mere allegation that you have mal de ojo is no longer a serious threat in the 21st century.

MAL DE OJO TRANSMISSION

It’s generally believed that mal de ojo is inflicted by someone wishing to do you harm, through their gaze, praise, envy, and jealousy.

However, in parts of South America and Mexico, the act of giving the evil eye, or to ojear or to echar mal de ojo, can be an involuntary act. In this case, the inflicter is unaware.

Almost always, targets of mal de ojo are unsuspecting and unaware themselves. This underscores the importance of protection against mal de ojo since it’s nearly impossible to detect. For this reason, mal de ojo jewelry adorned with an ojo amulet, like bracelets, is commonly worn for protection.

In relationships

It’s believed that the red ojo is useful in matters of love and passion. Whether you’re desiring a relationship with someone, or already in an existing one. Especially if you sense negativity about any aspect of your relationship from those around you.

It’s typical human nature for others to want what they can’t have. It’s normal to feel envy and jealousy about someone else’s happiness. Particularly this happens if someone is unhappy in their own relationship, or longing to find love themselves.

One method to avoid evil eye stares and negative energy coming your way while you’re in a relationship is to limit public displays of affection. Unless you’re wearing protection, like a red ojo bracelet for example.

It’s also advisable to be mindful of what you post on social media. In today’s modern world and social media-obsessed culture, posting about your relationship increases your visibility to the public. This makes it more likely to attract bad energy.

Pro Tip: If you must post to social media, try to have an ojo visible in your picture, story, reel, or whatever is getting seen by the masses.

MAL DE OJO SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

The signs of mal de ojo are usually associated with bad things happening to someone or something. It’s often seen as a serious curse that can cause everything from illness, death, bad luck, and injury in humans and animals.

This only occurs when the person or thing isn’t protected by wearing a special amulet, like a red ojo bracelet, for example.

The effects of mal de ojo aren’t limited to conscious beings either. Inanimate objects and material possessions that are looked at with jealousy or envy are also susceptible to failure, damage, or worse.

Physical symptoms can include everything from loss of appetite to weakness, stomach ache, trouble sleeping, fever, nausea, eye infections, lack of energy, and mood swings.

Environmental symptoms can include problems with family or finances or personal problems as simple as a car breaking down or getting a flat tire.

In relationships

Symptoms in your love life or important relationships may cause an increased lack of harmony. Remember that no one is better in tune with your relationship than you and your partner.

If you sense something change instantly, especially if you suspect envy or jealousy from others, you may be inflicted by negative forces. It’s best to follow your intuition in these cases.

Another common scenario is when you’re trying to court someone and they suddenly lose interest. If they were previously receptive and open to your flirting and advances, mal de ojo could be to blame.

Consider that the red ojo bracelet does not only protect romantic love. Platonic friendships, and other close relationships, can also be impacted by the evil eye.

Friendships are just as likely to receive negative energy from jealous or envious people around you. If you sense a sudden change in the harmony of an important friendship, understand it can also be a result of mal de ojo.

MAL DE OJO IN CHILDREN AND BABIES

A common belief amongst Spanish-speaking cultures finds children and babies, especially newborns, to be particularly at risk of the curse. Since mal de ojo can be transmitted through admiration and praise, often unknowingly, infants are found to be especially vulnerable.

In many of these cultures, it’s customary to touch a newborn while giving it praise or admiration. This is believed to avoid cursing them with mal de ojo.

For these reasons, it’s very common to find children and infants wearing jewelry with amulets, like the red ojo bracelet, for protection. This practice is found all over the world with different materials and objects, but even amongst Spanish-speaking cultures, you find variety.

Red: a symbol of protection across cultures

In parts of South America, red ribbons are attached to babies, animals, or objects as protection. The red ribbon is believed to attract the evil gaze and protect the person or thing wearing it.

In Puerto Rico, the most commonly used protection is from an entirely different form of amulet jewelry called Azabache bracelets. Like the red ojo bracelet, the Azabache bracelet is also usually adorned with a black or red amulet. This amulet, however, is not an ojo but is in the shape of a fist with an extended index finger knuckle.

Azabache bracelet charm with a fist and an extended index finger knuckle — *A child wearing an Azabache bracelet with an amulet of a fist and an extended index finger knuckle*

In Eastern Europe, the color red is often associated with the protection of mothers and babies. Among the Serbs, a red thread is worn by expecting mothers around their middle fingers long before their babies are born. Parts of Macedonia, Romania, and Ukraine also follow similar customs.

Elsewhere in Europe, amongst both Jews and Christians, red ribbons are tied around a baby’s throat, hair, or leg. Greek mothers will tie a red ribbon around their arms shortly after delivering a child.

Italians are known to attach religious medals or corrals to a red string. It’s very common to find children in Italy wearing a small red horn charm around their neck to protect against the evil eye.

MAL DE OJO CURES AND TREATMENTS

People unprotected by a red ojo bracelet or another type of amulet jewelry (or red ribbon), maybe become infected with the curse. When this happens in Spanish-speaking cultures, it’s customary to visit a traditional folk healer, like a shaman, for treatment. In much of Latin America, they’re known as curanderos.

The most common mal de ojo treatment found in these cultures is a raw chicken egg.

A healer will typically pass an egg over the victim’s body to absorb the mal de ojo away from them. The egg is cracked into a bowl of water and then placed under the victim’s bed near their head. Later, if the egg appears to look cooked, then that is evidence that the victim had mal de ojo and is now cured.

Some cultures have a variation where they pass the egg over the victim in a cross shape while reciting The Lord’s Prayer.

Other cultures believe that mal de ojo can be cured if touched by the person who transferred it to you with their gaze. Since mal de ojo transmission can be involuntary, if it’s suspected that someone became cursed after a person stared at them, having that same person touch the cursed person will release the bad energy.

In relationships

The same cures and treatments that exist for individuals can be applied to two or more people believed to be inflicted by mal de ojo. Romantic lovers, friends, or others sharing a close bond, and weren’t under the protection of a red ojo, can attempt these treatments.

A healer would follow similar steps as if they were treating an individual with a raw chicken egg. Some healers might opt to use two eggs but not always.

The egg or eggs would still be cracked into a bowl of water. Except after, the bowl is placed underneath the bed where the couple lay together, rather than alone. A cooked-looking egg demonstrates that the couple is no longer cursed by mal de ojo.

Similarly, having the same person suspected of casting mal de ojo in the first place, touch you and your partner, for example, is also believed to release the curse from the relationship. They don’t have to touch you both at the same time for this to be effective.

**RED MAL DE OJO BRACELET RULES**

How do you bless your ojo?

Some cultures might differ on the exact steps needed to properly activate an ojo.

Most of the Latinos we surveyed agreed on the following steps needed to activate one’s red mal de ojo bracelet for protection:

Cleanse your talisman in a mixture of clean water (preferably rainwater) and sea salt.
Dry your talisman with a clean cloth made only from natural fibers. Natural fibers help ensure your ojo’s purification.
Energetically charge your talisman under the light of a full moon by leaving it outside overnight.

Place lit candles around your talisman to help repel any negative energy absorbed during its long energy exposure.
Congratulations! Now your red mal de ojo bracelet is blessed, activated, and ready for protection against the evil eye.

Which hand does the bracelet go on?

We can’t find any agreement as to whether the hand that you wear your red mal de ojo bracelet on matters. The ojo can be worn in a variety of ways, on different types of mal de ojo jewelry and accessories.

Our research suggests that it is appropriate to wear your red mal de ojo bracelet on either hand or wrist.

You should be protected as long as your ojo is visible. Your ojo will reflect and repel negative energy or envy if it can be seen.

Some limited sources state that the ojo should be worn on the left hand or wrist. According to passages in the Kabbalah, the left side of the body symbolizes the side of reception for the body and soul.

Ultimately, we recommend you decide what’s best for you and your protection. We believe that wearing a red mal de ojo bracelet on the “wrong” side is better than not wearing anything at all.

Of course, proceed with caution or consult with your spiritual teacher for advice if you’re unsure.

You might also consider different mal de ojo jewelry or accessories for protection. Other options might include mal de ojo necklaces, mal de ojo rings, mal de ojo earrings, mal de ojo charms, or mal de ojo pins.

What does it mean if your ojo breaks?

It is believed that once your ojo bracelet cracks or breaks, it has fulfilled its purpose and protected you from as much negative energy as it can handle. Glass is the preferred and most common material for red ojos, because they break once they’ve reached their limit.

Remember to always inspect your red mal de ojo bracelet before and after every use.

It’s very important to understand that once an ojo bracelet cracks or breaks, it’s no longer effective as a source of protection. You should immediately replace it with a new ojo after this happens. Make sure you follow the same steps above to activate, bless, and purify your new ojo.

For some, their ojo might never crack or break. This is seen as good fortune since no one envies you or wishes you harm.

Nonetheless, you can feel more secure knowing that you have it there for protection just in case.

In relationships

It’s only recommended to replace your red ojo bracelets when one of them breaks. That means if you’re in a romantic relationship, for example, and one partner’s ojo breaks, only replace that partner’s. It’s not necessary to replace both of yours’ if one partner’s is still intact.

That only means that the unbroken partner’s ojo still has more negative energy that it can deflect or absorb before needing to be replaced.

Can you purchase a red mal de ojo bracelet for yourself?

Traditionally, mal de ojo jewelry has been understood to be for gifting to others who need protection. Popular examples include pregnant mothers and newborn babies.

Some might believe that it’s unlucky to purchase mal de ojo jewelry for yourself. We haven’t found evidence of that being true.

Gifting someone a red mal de ojo bracelet is a wonderful gesture of protection for someone you love.

Especially if they’re starting a new journey or chapter in their lives. For example, starting a business, moving to a new place, going on vacation, pregnancy, illness, sickness, etc.

While it might feel nice to be gifted mal de ojo jewelry, don’t worry if it doesn’t happen. Purchasing a red mal de ojo bracelet for yourself will still provide you with the same protection.

In relationships

It’s perfectly acceptable to purchase red ojo bracelets, for example, for both yourself and your partner. It’s not necessary to gift each other with one.

Should both people in a relationship wear a red ojo bracelet?

Yes, ideally both people in a relationship should wear red ojo bracelets at all times to be safe. This is especially true when you’re not in the same place together as your partner, friend, or other.

If you don’t want to wear it all the time, or can’t for whatever reason, one consideration is to carry it in your pocket. At least if it’s on your person, it’s accessible and easy to bring out if you sense danger.

In the example of a couple not in the same place together at the same time, if one partner is wearing their ojo and the other isn’t, the person not wearing theirs has no protection against negative energies that can affect their relationship, putting both partners at risk.

If that couple is together at the same place and time, it’s less risky, because a single ojo is enough to deflect negative energy directed at either of them. As soon as they’re seen separate from each other, however, the risk is back.

What happens if a red ojo bracelet is stolen?

If an ojo is stolen, it is believed that whoever steals it absorbs all of the negative energy that has been picked up by the amulet. Clearly, it’s not advisable to steal one if you don’t want bad luck—or worse.

The red ojo carries with it the added effects of not just impacting the thief, but also important relationships of theirs.

**WHERE TO BUY A RED OJO BRACELET?**

At Not Those Carrots, we’re fans of gold karats and diamond carats. So of course we’re drawn to evil eye bracelets that meet those criteria.

We want to present you with some of our favorite red ojo bracelets.

If you’re looking for something different, we also have recommendations for black ojo bracelets and blue ojo bracelets.

Top Pick

KARMA AND LUCK – Red Enamel Evil Eye Charm Bracelet

It creates a protective shield around you and deflects all negative energies from reaching your inner self. The ubiquitous evil eye charm is the excellent soldier pushing you forward. It is present in every aspect of your day, warding away all bad vibes, no matter the circumstances.