Lebanese drivers and their quotes.

One of the things Lebanese people are famous for is their arabic calligraphy and the way they exhibit it on the streets.
Driving on the roads in Lebanon, the first thing to catch your sight are the big yellow trucks with their Arabic quotes.
When i asked an old driver about them, he told me how this trend began.
A couple of decades ago, truck drivers used to put a blue eye amulet known as the Nazar. The Nazar is believed to protect them against the evil eye which causes misfortune and injury for the person at whom it is directed for reasons of envy or dislike.

The Nazar amulet.

After a while, drivers started drawing the Nazar on their trucks as a greater power for protection. They then added phrases like " 3ayn al hasoud tebla bel 3ama" which meant "may the evil eye goes blind".

Later on, drivers started writing religious quotes on their trucks, seeking god's protection. Some of the examples included "allah ybarek" meaning "God bless".
We could also see trucks with drawings on them like the Cedar tree (symbolizing Lebanon), or a scorpion silhouette or a tiger (symbolizing strength).

 One of the trucks with blue eyes (nazar) drawing and the cedars, and a phrase of "God bless"

Another truck, same phrase, and eye, and Mercedes logo.

Nowadays, even cars and tow trucks are being designed with such phrases and calligraphy-bumper stickers. Tow trucks are using the phrase "ma3ak 7atta elmot" which means "by your side til death" or "sra3 w la yhemmak, ne7na men lemmak" meaning "go fast, no worries, we'll catch you".
On the other hand, cars and buses are using some funky quotes like "abou layla" meaning "layla's father", or phrases like "be careful im using whatsapp, Facebook and BBM".

" The rooster is here, hide your chickens"

" I'd rather die than be humiliated by a woman"

"5 in your eyes" is a lebanese quote which is usually said to someone jealous.

"Be careful, i'm chatting on whatsapp and might log in to facebook."

Tow truck: " Go fast, no worries, Alloush will catch you".

As we can see, what started as a symbol for protection against the evil eye, ended up as a design for Lebanese drivers and a way to share a laugh on the road.