It's a fine question, dear @carmalain7. Frankly, I think it's human nature to appropriate, re-purpose and transform symbols to suit our needs (look at Christmas, and the commercial atrocity that has become).

Still, I believe that even in the worst case of consumerism or tourist culture (for example, the whirling dervishes in Egypt, which have more to do with Vegas than what Rumi intended) a germ of the original truth remains, in however diluted a form. Whether it is protection, in the case of the evil eye, or spiritual celebration, in the case of Christmas or Sufi dervishes, something of the purpose and power persists...

I hope this helps in some way to answer your question and thank you for stopping by for a read, my friend!