The mysterious curse of the evil eye

An unexplained period of ill health, a persistent stroke of bad luck, a sharp decline in fortune, an unexpected job loss, an accident, sudden death, or any other calamity may be attributed to the curse of the "evil eye". This belief in the malevolent effects of the evil eye has persisted for centuries and transcends civilizations, tribes, cultures, religions, countries, and continents. The concept of the evil eye is mentioned in ancient Greek and Roman texts, rabbinic literature, and the sacred books of the Bible and the Koran. It was prevalent among early Mediterranean and Asian tribes, deeply embedded in ancient Egyptian culture, and well-known during the Roman Empire. Even today, the curse of the eye is feared in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, as well as in the Americas and Europe. The evil eye is also a long-standing symbol in major religions such as Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism.

The origins of the evil eye can be traced back to the great civilizations of antiquity. Some believe that the first documented proof of this notion can be found in the Mesopotamian civilization, which recorded the evil eye on clay tablets in the form of cuneiform inscriptions. Others believe that the belief in the curse of the evil eye dates back to Classical antiquity, with references from ancient Greek and Roman philosophers, poets, writers, and authors. Alexander the Great is said to have been instrumental in propagating the idea of the evil eye throughout the Near East, while European colonists and West Asian immigrants introduced the concept in the Americas. Regardless of the varying thoughts about when and how the belief in the evil eye came into being and spread across the globe, it is evident that this notion is an antique one that has been handed down from one generation to another, across geographies, religions, and cultures.

The power of the eyes underpins the propagation of the thought that the human eyes are endowed with the incredible ability to cast a harmful spell, especially when the spell is directed with emotions such as scorn and envy. The curse of the evil eye can manifest itself in various forms, such as an injury, illness, an overall decline in one's wellbeing and prosperity, and even death. Often, the curse is cast when a person is unguarded or unaware, making it difficult for one to take preventive measures to safeguard themselves against the malicious intent of the Eye. Moreover, the belief that the curse of the Eye can also inflict harm on one's loved ones and livestock makes the evil eye more fearsome for people worldwide, albeit with varying intensities.

The color of one's eyes is also said to determine whether they are capable of transmitting the evil eye. People belonging to certain parts of the world are thought to be more adept in bestowing a curse as opposed to their counterparts. This belief was also corroborated by Plutarch, who claimed that some of the natives of the south of the Black Sea had a stronger ability to deliver the curse with their evil looks.

Attempts to repel the curse of the evil eye with protective talismans and eye amulets or "nazars" have been doing the rounds for centuries. The earliest form of the nazars or eye amulets can be traced back to 3,300 BC in one of Mesopotamia's oldest cities - Tell Brak. These amulets, made out of alabaster, depicted eye images incised on them. The present-day blue glass amulets made their appearance in the Mediterranean much later, around 1500 BCE. The use of protecting imagery to thwart the ill will of the evil eye was also common among the early Egyptians who relied heavily on the symbolic image of the "Eye of Horus" or "Wadjet" to dispel the curse.

In recent times, apotropaic talismans, such as handmade balls showcasing concentric circles or teardrop shapes in dark blue, white, light blue, and black, are a common sight across West and South Asia, the Middle East, Southeastern, Eastern and Southern Europe, and the Mediterranean. Likewise, the popular palm-shaped Hamsa eye amulet can be seen throughout the Middle East and North Africa, manifested in the form of jewelry and wall hangings. The exploitation of objects such as strings, nails, garlic, salt, and indigo blue, use of raw eggs to absorb negative energies, and the offering of an "azabache" bracelet or a good luck charm to newly born babies for protection against envious looks are a few of the practices and traditions that are in prevalence in different countries and cultures in order to nullify the damaging effects of the evil eye.

Despite advancements in science and technology, the belief in the evil eye continues to influence our day-to-day lives. From the world of fashion, music, entertainment, and jewelry design to the birth of newborn babies and commencement of a new project or venture