Ojo de Buey (Ox Eye) Seed, 1 Inch, Evil Eye Amulet

A real seed, not a casting. Each ojo de buey grew on a vine, so the color, the banding, and the shape vary a little from one seed to the next. That variation is why many practitioners think of their seed as theirs alone.

About one inch across. The size sits comfortably in a palm or a pocket, and it is large enough to wrap in wire or set as a pendant.

A traditional evil eye amulet. The eye-like band is the reason this seed is carried against envy and ill will, a custom you will find in botánicas throughout the Americas.

• Size: approximately 1 inch across
• Material: natural seed, undrilled
• Quantity: one seed
• Color: brown with a dark band; every seed varies
• For carrying and display only; not for eating

In Latin American and Caribbean folk practice, the ojo de buey is carried to turn away mal de ojo, the harm believed to travel on an envious or admiring gaze. The logic is old and simple: an eye to watch for the eye. You will often see the seed worn beside azabache, the black jet charm, on a red cord.

The seed also has a place in Lucumí (Santería) households, where its use belongs to a living religion and is best learned from practitioners within the tradition. As a folk amulet, it is open to anyone who carries it with respect.

1. Hold the seed in your hand for a moment and state plainly what you are asking it to guard.
2. Carry it in a pocket or a purse, or tuck it into a small red charm bag.
3. If you would like to wear it, a jeweler can wrap it in wire or set it in a bezel, which avoids drilling the seed.
4. Many practitioners replace a seed that cracks, reading the break as a sign that it has done its work.

Trust your own sense of where the seed belongs. An amulet works best in the place you will actually keep it.

• Legit Azabache Hand Amulet, 1 Inch: Azabache and ojo de buey are the classic pairing against the evil eye, often worn together on one cord.
• Red Velveteen Mojo Bag: A red bag gives the seed a traditional home in your pocket or purse.
• Evil Eye Protection Talisman: Hang this by the door so the home has its own guard while the seed travels with you.
• Blue Evil Eye Bracelet, 8mm: Wear the blue eye at the wrist as a visible companion to the seed you carry.
• Florida Water Cologne, 7.5 oz: A splash on the hands before you handle the seed is a common way to begin protective work.

What is an ojo de buey seed?

Ojo de buey means ox eye in Spanish. It is a large brown seed with a dark band that resembles an eye, and it grows on a tropical vine. In Latin American and Caribbean folk practice it is carried as an amulet against mal de ojo, the evil eye.

Is the ojo de buey the same as ojo de venado?

The two names are often used for the same kind of eye-banded seed. Ojo de venado, or deer's eye, is the name more common in Mexico, while ojo de buey is heard across the Caribbean. Both are carried for the same protective purpose, so choose the name your own community uses.

Can I drill a hole in the seed to wear it?

You can, although the shell is hard and may crack under a drill. Many people prefer to have the seed wrapped in wire or set in a bezel instead. If you do drill, work slowly with a small bit and support the seed on a soft surface.

Do I need to belong to Santería to carry one?

No. Carrying the seed against the evil eye is a widespread folk custom, shared by many families, that does not require initiation of any kind. The ceremonial uses within Lucumí are a separate matter, and those are best learned from practitioners within the tradition.

How do I care for my ojo de buey?

Keep the seed dry and wipe it with a soft cloth when it gets dusty. Some practitioners rub in a drop of oil now and then to keep the shell glossy. If the seed cracks, most people thank it, return it to the earth, and begin again with a new one.