The evil eye. An account of this ancient and wide spread superstition

284 THE EVIL EYE CHAP.
we may remark that the use of this cross as the
symbol of fertiHsation is perfectly consistent with the
sign being that of the kind of life therein typified. ^^'^
All these examples are of ancient usage, but there
MmAhx^I Kairov
Fig. 127.
f^4^
will be little difficulty in showing that it has been used
throughout the Middle Ages, and that it is found today
in a form but slightly modified. At the present
day in Cyprus the women wear this cross as a talis-
man.''*^ It is believed to keep off the evil eye and
to prevent or cure barrenness.
Fig. 129 is a coin of Ethelward :**^ besides a
smaller one in the inscription, there is a cross on
the centre of each side ; one
of these is the critx
ansata in a form which is still more " obvious
than that usually seen in the hands of Egyptian
gods or kings, or even upon the Indian Iswara,
ornament. Her right hand is raised in the position on which we have more to
say—that of the i/iaiio panlca.
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