1. The Babylonians’ Demon Traps
In ancient Babylon, people believed that evil spirits were always lurking around corners. To protect themselves, they placed small clay figurines of protective gods beneath the floors of their homes. These figures were meant to act as “demon traps,” keeping harmful entities from entering living spaces. It wasn’t enough to just set them out, though, because rituals were performed to activate their power.
Priests would chant incantations over the figurines and sometimes bury them at the four corners of a house for added security. Families felt reassured knowing they had guardians literally underfoot. Today, archaeologists still uncover these eerie little statues, often found hidden beneath ruins. They serve as reminders of how seriously Babylonians took the unseen world around them.
2. The Aztec Bloodletting Rituals
For the Aztecs, blood was considered a sacred force that nourished the gods. People would pierce their ears, tongues, or legs to let blood flow as an offering. The idea was that giving up a part of themselves kept evil forces at bay and ensured balance in the cosmos. This wasn’t a casual act—it was often carried out with ceremonial blades or spiny plants.
While outsiders might find it unsettling, to the Aztecs it was an honor. These rituals were often tied to important festivals or changes in the seasons. Leaders and priests were expected to participate, showing their devotion publicly. It was both a spiritual duty and a form of protection for the entire community.
3. Ancient Egyptians and Protective Amulets
The Egyptians were famous for their elaborate charms and talismans. Many of these amulets, like the Eye of Horus, were believed to guard against curses, accidents, or evil spirits. People wore them around their necks or tucked them into their clothing as an everyday shield. They were also placed inside tombs to safeguard souls in the afterlife.
Crafting these amulets wasn’t just about design, it often involved prayers and rituals to “charge” them with power. Certain materials, like lapis lazuli or carnelian, were thought to hold stronger protection. Entire industries thrived on creating these charms, showing how deeply people valued their mystical defenses. Even today, replicas of these symbols are sold worldwide as protective jewelry.
4. The Greeks and the Evil Eye
The fear of the “evil eye” has ancient roots, especially in Greece. People believed that a jealous or malicious glare could cause illness, misfortune, or even death. To ward it off, Greeks performed rituals that involved burning special herbs, muttering prayers, or wearing charms shaped like eyes.
One particularly eerie practice was the recitation of secret incantations only known to certain elders. If someone fell ill suddenly, they might suspect the evil eye and call for these rituals. Spitting lightly—sometimes three times—was also a common way to neutralize the curse. It may sound strange, but the fear of the evil eye still persists in many cultures today.
5. Norse Runes of Protection
The Vikings and other Norse people carved runes into weapons, jewelry, and even their skin. These weren’t just decorations, they were symbols believed to carry magical protection. Warriors heading into battle often etched runes to keep evil forces, like malevolent spirits or bad luck, away.
Rituals around rune carving could be intense, involving chanting and offerings to the gods. Some runes were believed to specifically block curses or bring safety on long voyages. Carrying a rune wasn’t passive—it was thought to create an active shield. For people constantly braving dangerous seas and battles, runes were a spiritual lifeline.
6. The Romans and Curse Tablets
The Romans believed in both warding off and sending evil. To protect themselves, they often used curse tablets called “defixiones.” These were small sheets of lead inscribed with spells, sometimes folded and nailed shut. If a person feared an enemy or spirit, they could bury one at a sacred site to bind the danger.
But they didn’t just make tablets to curse, they also created protective charms to counter them. Ritual specialists would burn herbs or pour libations to strengthen these defenses. It was a world where spiritual warfare was fought through writing, chanting, and offerings. For the Romans, protection from evil was as much about clever counterspells as it was about faith.
7. Chinese Firecrackers to Scare Spirits
In ancient China, people thought loud noises could chase away demons and bad luck. Firecrackers became a ritual tool to scare off evil spirits, especially during the Lunar New Year. The idea was that spirits hated noise and chaos, so the louder, the better.
Families would light long strings of firecrackers outside their doors, filling the streets with smoke and explosions. It wasn’t just about fun, it was seen as serious spiritual defense. Even dragon and lion dances were meant to help amplify the effect. Over time, the tradition stuck, blending spiritual practice with celebration.
8. Celtic Druids and Sacrificial Fires
The Celts had a deep belief in fire’s power to purify and protect. Druids often lit massive bonfires during seasonal festivals, such as Beltane, to ward off evil. People would walk their livestock between two fires, believing it cleansed them of harmful influences.
Individuals might also leap through the flames for personal protection. These rituals weren’t only about fear, they were about renewal and connection to the natural world. The flames were thought to keep away spirits that threatened crops or health. Watching the glow of those fires must have been both mesmerizing and eerie.
9. The Mesopotamian Exorcisms
Ancient Mesopotamia had an entire system for dealing with evil spirits. Priests known as “āšipu” specialized in exorcism rituals. They would chant prayers, burn incense, and pour water to drive demons out of a person or home.
These rituals could go on for hours or even days, involving multiple steps and sacred objects. Amulets might be placed at the entrance of homes afterward to keep spirits from returning. The whole process showed how real spiritual threats felt in their daily lives. For Mesopotamians, fighting evil was a community-wide effort.
10. Native American Smudging Rituals
Many Native American tribes practiced smudging, which involved burning herbs like sage, cedar, or sweetgrass. The smoke was thought to cleanse spaces and drive out negative energies. People would wave the smoke around their homes, over themselves, or even over tools and weapons.
This wasn’t just a casual act, it was accompanied by prayers and songs. The herbs were carefully chosen, each believed to hold its own protective power. Smudging is still practiced today in both spiritual and secular ways. It’s a living example of an ancient tradition against unseen forces.
11. The Japanese Oni Masks
In Japan, people wore masks resembling fearsome demons called “oni.” Oddly enough, these terrifying faces weren’t meant to invite evil but to scare it away. At festivals and rituals, people donned these masks to protect themselves and their villages.
The sight of a grotesque mask was thought to frighten malevolent spirits into leaving. Over time, this became a theatrical and artistic tradition as well, blending ritual with performance. Families sometimes hung smaller versions of these masks at home as protective talismans. The practice shows how fear can be turned into a tool for protection.
12. The Mayan Cenote Sacrifices
For the Maya, cenotes—natural sinkholes—were sacred gateways to the gods. People offered sacrifices, sometimes including humans, to keep evil and disaster away. Objects like jade, pottery, and food were also thrown into the waters as gifts.
The belief was that appeasing the gods ensured good harvests and protection from calamities. Priests often led elaborate ceremonies before offerings were made. Standing near a deep, dark cenote and watching sacrifices sink must have been haunting. The idea was to give up something valuable to secure safety for everyone.
13. African Protective Drumming
In many African cultures, drumming was more than music, it was a form of spiritual protection. Specific rhythms were believed to repel evil spirits. Villages would hold drumming ceremonies during times of crisis or illness.
The sound carried energy that created a protective barrier for the community. Dancers often joined in, amplifying the ritual’s intensity. For participants, it was both physically powerful and spiritually reassuring. Even now, drumming is used in healing and cleansing ceremonies.
14. The Persian Use of Dog Spirits
In ancient Persia, dogs were believed to ward off evil spirits, especially at night. Rituals known as “Sagdid” involved bringing a dog near a person who had died to protect their soul from dark forces. Dogs were thought to have a special sight that humans lacked, making them natural guardians.
This practice reflected a deep respect for dogs beyond their role as companions. Zoroastrian priests often included them in protective rituals, believing their presence kept away lurking demons. Families sometimes kept dogs near homes specifically for this reason. It was both a spiritual and practical safeguard in a dangerous world.