Magic in Middle East
The evil-eye bead, the djinn, ruqyah and the talisman, Kabbalah and Jewish amulets, and the ancient Babylonian and Persian arts. 172 entries on EveryJaadu so far.
Places of magic
Rome 11Jerusalem 6Meron 5Thebes 3Uruk 3Constantinople 2Damascus 2Mecca 2Paphos 2Persepolis 2Tiberias 2Abu Shudhr 1Ahvaz 1Alaca Höyük 1al-Qurnah 1Amuka 1Andaman Islands 1Arima 1Assur 1Babylon 1Bawit 1Behistun 1Beqaa Valley 1Bern 1Bethlehem 1Bibliothèque nationale de France 1Brisone River 1Carnuntum 1Cerrillos Hills 1Cilicia 1
Rites of the region
Esfand, the wild rue smokeChaharshanbe Suri fire-jumpingThe nazar boncuğu, the blue beadRuqyah recitationKapparotThe red thread and Rachel's tombWriting a Jewish amulet (kame'a)
Countries
PurposeProtectionHealingSeeing and foretellingLuck and prosperityLove and attractionCursing and harmCleansing and purificationSpeaking with spirits and the deadChange and initiationBinding and oathsPower and authorityWonder and entertainment
WhoShamansFolk healersPriests and ritual specialistsWitches, sorcerers and cunning folkDiviners and readersMediums and the possessedCeremonial magicians and alchemistsHouseholds and ordinary peopleStage magiciansScholars and sceptics
BeliefHindu and TantricBuddhistJainMuslim and SufiJewishChristianSikhZoroastrianShinto and TaoistIndigenous and shamanicAfrican and Afro-diasporicPagan and NeopaganEsoteric and occultFolk and village customSecular and stageOther traditions
🇪🇹 Ethiopia and 5 morePrester John
A legendary Christian king and priest said to rule a lost kingdom in the East.Figure · Power and authority · Wonder and entertainment Legendary
🇮🇱 IsraelWitch of Endorאֵ֥שֶׁת בַּֽעֲלַת־אֹ֖וב בְּעֵ֥ין דֹּֽור
A biblical spirit-diviner summoned by King Saul to consult the prophet Samuel.Figure · Speaking with spirits and the dead Legendary
🇸🇾 SyriaOdontotyrannosόδοντοτύραννος
A mythical three-horned beast from Alexander the Great's Indian campaignsFigure Legendary
🇮🇱 Israel and 1 moreBalakבָּלָק
A biblical king who sought a sorcerer's curse against the IsraelitesFigure · Cursing and harm Legendary
🇮🇱 Israel and 1 moreFiery flying serpentשָׂרָף מְעוֹפֵף (sārāf mə‘ōfēf)
A biblical creature described as a venomous winged snake in the Book of IsaiahFigure · Cursing and harm Legendary
🇾🇪 Yemen and 2 moreQueen of Shebaמַלְכַּת שְׁבָא (Hebrew), ملكة سبأ (Arabic), ንግሥተ ሳባ (Geʽez)
A legendary queen from ancient Arabia or Ethiopia who visited King Solomon.Figure Legendary
🇮🇷 Iran and 1 moreBabr-e Bayanبَبْرِ بَیان
A legendary armor worn by the Iranian hero Rostam, said to be made from a dragon's skin.Figure · Protection · Power and authority Legendary
🇮🇷 IranArzhang Divارژنگ دیو
A demon chief in Persian epic who is defeated by the hero RostamFigure · Cursing and harm Legendary
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Odontotyrannos: anonymous, London, England, 14th century, Public domain, source
- Witch of Endor: Adam Elsheimer / John Kay, CC BY 4.0, source
- Arzhang Div: Unknown author, Public domain, source
- Balak: Philip De Vere, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Prester John: Diogo Homem, Public domain, source
- Fiery flying serpent: דוד דוד.. Original uploader was Androctonus at he.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Queen of Sheba: Jacopo Tintoretto, Public domain, source