ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Apotropos

Okay kiddo, have you ever heard of the word apotropos? It's a fancy way of talking about things that are meant to keep away bad luck or evil spirits.

Think of it like a shield that protects you from anything that could harm you. Like a superhero's cape, it keeps you safe and protected.

This word comes from ancient practices where people believed that certain objects or actions had the power to guard against harm. For example, hanging a horseshoe over a doorway was thought to bring good luck and keep evil away.

Nowadays, you might see apotropos used in things like jewelry or tattoos. People might wear a necklace with a symbol that they believe will protect them, or get a tattoo of an image that represents safety and security.

So basically, apotropos is about keeping you safe and surrounded by good luck. It might seem a little superstitious, but it's been a part of human culture for thousands of years.