26 February 2011
A Boat With An Eye
No taking chances on luck: two rosaries and an eye.
An eye is painted on the plastic enclosing the helmsman of a Puerto Galera ferry. Eyes on boats are a common symbol for guidance and protection-- originating, perhaps, from a nautical application of the Mediterranean evil eye. It was traditionally painted on maritime vessels (usually the prow) to "bend" a negative gaze back to the sender. These days, the eye can be seen on boats in many countries, from Vietnam to Mexico to Malta.
Hopefully reassuring instead of distracting.
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