In a manner intended to ward off evil or misfortune; done to avert harm or bad luck.
From Greek apotropaios 'averting evil,' from apo- 'away' and trepein 'to turn,' literally 'turning away,' plus -ally making it an adverb.
Across cultures—from evil eyes in Mediterranean countries to salt in European kitchens—apotropaic practices reveal that humans universally combat anxiety through ritualized object-placement, a behavior both ancient and utterly modern!
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