The eye of Sainte Lucie, a lucky charm shell
On the beaches of Vias
500m from Camping Sainte Cécile, you have probably already noticed people bent over, searching the waterfront with their eyes: they are looking for "Lucie's eyes" or "Sainte Lucie's eye".
What is the eye of Sainte Lucie ?
It is simply the cover of a shell called "turbo". Typically Mediterranean, you will not find the eye of Sainte Lucie on all beaches. It’s very simple to recognize this shellfish typical of the Mediterranean :
- If the shell has been fished, one side will be orange and the other white.
- If you find it on the beach you can recognize it thanks to its brown spiral.
What's the point of that?
The eye of Sainte Lucie is considered as a lucky charm. It brings good luck to the wearer and keeps the evil eye away. Relatively rare, these shells can be cut to make beautiful and unique jewelry.
The Legend of the Eye of Sainte Lucie
Lucie was a virgin girl of the Syracuse nobility. She lived in the 4th century and was very pious. Hier mother had an incurable disease. Lucie obtained her healing through repeated prayers to the Virgin Mary. She worshipped her without limit and was entirely devoted to her. Not to turn away from her faith and keep her suitors away, she tore her eyes out and threw them into the sea. She performed a great number of miracles and the Virgin gave her back her sight in exchange for her devotion.
Read also
