Nazar, Tarot & Manifestation: Gen Z’s Obession with Evil Eye Emoji

Belief in the supernatural has always flourished in Indian homes. From kala dhaga tied on babies’ ankles to the moonstone pendants tucked inside college tote bags.

Evil Eye Charm

Today, however, it appears in a different way: filtered through aesthetics, shared on Instagram stories, and subtly slipped between Spotify playlists and café conversation. Manifestation is now written in journals using glitter pens rather than whispered over tulsi leaves. Tarot cards are now placed next to NCERT textbooks. And that emoji of the blue evil eye? It is covertly safeguarding carefully curated joyous Instagram reels.

India has always been a land of rituals — kaala tika, totkas, vastu, kundli. But what was once passed down through hushed conversations between mothers and daughters is now being reshaped on Reels and resold on Instagram shops. Spirituality isn’t fading - it’s being rebranded.

A walk through a metro college campus and we will find belief stitched into everyday scenes:

A pocket-sized crystal for anxiety. 

An 11:11 iPhone wallpaper. 

A friend who is adamant about having a nazar emoji in her birthday pictures.

Before an exam, a student burns sage because "energy matters, bro."

You'll find videos such as "Nazar exists" online amongst the Gen-Z

It's not about blind faith for this generation. It has to do with belonging. Control is comforting. Gen Z is looking for anything that makes sense or makes them feel seen in a world full of crises, unemployment fears, and political unpredictability. And what's more approachable than the traditions they grew up with, but with a contemporary twist brought about by moodboards and soft pastels?  

The "woo-woo" is no longer weird. We can wear it. We own it. 

What used to be hidden behind Godrej almirahs is now widely available online, from- evil eye charms in Urbanic hauls to bracelets on Sarojini racks. Emojis, jewellery, and captions like "Evil eye off, confidence on" are examples of aesthetic resistance that the Buri nazar waale now face in addition to "tera muh kaala." 

The New "IT" accessory: Evil eye bracelets

Once hung outside homes to ward off buri nazar, the classic nimbu mirchi is now being remixed by Generation Z. While it may not be hanging on the door, it is undoubtedly hanging as a charm on a tote bag or in a meme on someone's story.  The subtlety is that this transcends mere imitation or fleeting trend-hopping. This entails combining nani ke totke with therapy sessions. 

This is a remix.

This involves visiting a tarot reader in the evening after reading one’s kundli in the morning. This is talking about retrograde mercury while drinking cutting chai. Now, this is India.

This change is reflected in language as well. "Energy feels off" takes the place of "nazar lag gayi." "Let's manifest it" subtly takes the place of "mannat maangi hai." 

The packaging has changed, but the essence of these practices has not. The emergence of this spiritual renaissance also has a connection to business. Instagram stores that sell amethyst, or rose quartz frequently outperform those that promote only fashion. 

India's crystal market is expected to grow significantly and is currently valued at over ₹400 crore. Through 2029, tarot card sales are expected to grow at a nearly 3% CAGR. It is now more than just a belief; it is money, identity, and consumerism combined. According to CaratLane's FY24 report, young Indians are increasingly buying evil-eye jewellery for "aesthetic protection" as well as religious reasons. This has nothing to do with puja. Some may refer to it as "performative." Peace, according to some. Unquestionably, though, belief has discovered a new language that speaks soft pink filters, emoji, and DMs. 

However, this revival is not entirely innocent. There’s the risk of over-commercialisation - when faith is reduced to a brand. Or when beautiful products are created using centuries' worth of cultural knowledge without acknowledging their original creators. However, these approaches are more of a bridge than a shortcut for many. They allow us to stay connected to our past, present, and future selves. Because the thing that unites them all, whether it's a mauli tied at a festival or a crystal worn on a Monday, is HOPE.

Culture is not something that Gen Z is fleeing. Gen Z is curating it.

And in a world where timelines are curated, futures feel fragile, and faith is deeply personal - maybe a nazar emoji on an Insta story isn’t just superstition.

Maybe it’s how a generation holds on to something older than itself.

It’s not just belief. It’s armour.

It’s not just culture. It’s comfort - made modern.