A
nazar battu is often an intentional blemish or flaw that is introduced to prevent perfection. For instance, a black mark (
kaala teeka in Hindi-Urdu,
tor khaal in Pushto) might be made on the face or neck of a loved one. In houses, a deliberate flaw might be included in the otherwise-perfect physical appearance of the house. In expensive items such as carpets or saris, a deliberate coloring or stitching flaw is sometimes created.
Amulets – some resembling the
Turkish nazar boncuğu and others which are threads, sometimes with a
taveez attached (a small cylinder that contains a prayer verse) – are common in the region. Some
nazar battu amulets are region specific, for instance silver-mounted leopard nails which are used in the
Chamba district of
Himachal Pradesh state. Although it doesn't involve a specific
nazar battu, it is customary in the region for mothers to lightly spit at their children (usually ritualistically to the side of the children rather than directly at them) to imply a sense of disparagement and imperfection that protects them from
nazar. Children are also marked with a black spot on the cheek. Excessive admiration, even from well-meaning people, is believed attract the evil eye, so this is believed to protect children from
nazar that could be caused by their own mothers' "excessive" love of them. ==Satirical usage in popular culture==