THE ORIGIN OF THE EVIL EYE

The symbol and superstition of the evil eye is one of the strongest symbolic images in the world. Yet, despite the differences in the cultures which hold the evil eye myth, it retains largely the same meaning no matter where the story is told. The evil eye is thought of as a look given to inflict harm, suffering, or some form of bad luck on those that it is cast upon. It is a look which clearly states that one intends for something bad to happen to the object of one’s focus, either out of jealousy or pure malice. The superstition of the evil eye holds that the malicious look is powerful enough to bring about actual disaster for the unfortunate person that is the receiver of the glare.

According to a folklorist called John Roberts, about 40% of the world's cultures believe in some form of the evil eye. There is mention of the evil eye in Roman and Greek texts, as well as the Quran and Bible. 

The earliest known evidence for belief in the evil eye goes back to ancient Greece and Rome. It was believed that the

evil eye was the largest threat to anyone who had been praised too much, or received admiration beyond what they truly deserved. The praised person would become so swollen with pride that he or she would bring about his or her own doom via the evil eye, which was believed to be able to cause physical and mental illness. In fact, any disease which did not have an immediate, obvious cause was thought to be caused by the evil eye. It was thought that the gods and goddesses were punishing those who had become too proud of their achievements, and destroyed them with the power of the evil eye to restore them to the level of mere mortals.

A belief in the evil eye is widespread on every continent. The Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Central America all fear the evil eye. In Shahih Muslim Book 26, the prophet Muhammad warns about the dangers of the evil eye and says that one must take a bath in order to counteract the effects of the evil eye’s power.

Much as in Classic Greece and Ancient Rome, Islamic culture holds that excessive praise will bring about the ill effects of the evil eye. Thus, instead of praising an adorable child, one is supposed to say that “God has willed” the child’s good lucks, or risk endangering the youth. Ashkenazi Jews also believe that excessive praise causes a vulnerability to the evil eye, and will repeat a Yiddish phrase, "Keyn aynhoreh!" meaning “no evil eye” in order to protect against it.

In Europe, the myth of the evil eye also originated with the idea that envious or malicious looks had the power to bring about bad luck. The largest source of the evil eye was believed to be witches. Yet those with eye colors which were rare were also seen as powerful possessors of the evil eye look. For instance, Germans feared those with red eyes. In Ireland, those with squinty eyes were feared to be evil eye sorcerers. In Italy, the unibrow was another sign that one would cast an evil eye.

In different languages, the evil eye is known as:

• Hebrew Evil Eye – Ayin Ha’ra
• Turkish Evil Eye – Nazar Boncugu
• Italian Evil Eye – Mal Occhio
• Farsi – Bla Band
• Arabic – Ayin Harsha
• Scotland – Droch Shuil
• Spanish – Mal Ojo or El Oja
• France – Mauvais Oeil
• Germany – Böser Blick
• Romans – Oculus Malus

The fear of the evil eye did not carry over to America, except in the form of a metaphor. While the superstition is not intense enough to take precaution, the evil eye is seen as impolite, and a warning that the source of the evil eye has bad intentions. It has always been the simplest answer to 'why do bad things happen to good people?'.

HISTORY OF EVIL EYE PROTECTION

Many people who believe in the evil eye have attempted to find ways to protect themselves and loved ones from it. Alan Dundes, who was also a folklorist, reiterates the fact that the evil eye is not just an outdated superstition. He states that it still drives specific behavior in certain cultures all over the world.

Jewelry tends to be the most prevalent form of evil eye protection used over the centuries. In addition to the use of evil eye amulets, the Greeks would carry incense or the cross as protection against the evil eye. New mothers would keep objects as protection under their pillows or on their heads, and these included red, black, or white strings, a nail, gunpowder, bread, salt, garlic, a ring, indigo blue, or a pair of silver buckles. Each of these objects held a meaning which made it a good defense against the evil eye. For instance, gunpowder symbolized an ability to fight back against the evil eye. The nail symbolized strength. The indigo held its power in its blue coloring. Salt was a symbol of preservation and strength.

If these preventative steps failed, however, the Greeks had many more remedies against the evil eye. In some villages, the fur of a bear would be burned to cure the curse. In others, a gypsy would massage the forehead to get rid of the ill effects of the evil eye.

In many countries, including Greece, Armenia, and Assyria, it is thought that a pinch on the rear will remedy the curse of the evil eye. In Europe, some Christians have the tradition of creating the sign of the cross with their hands, while at the same time pointing the index and pinky finger toward the source of the evil eye. In Bangladesh, a black dot is drawn on the forehead of children to ward off the evil eye curse. Pretty young women have a secret dot drawn in kohl behind their ears to protect against the evil eye.

HOW TO GET PROTECTION FROM THE EVIL EYE

While the evil eye may have little meaning to many Americans, there are many that want ways to ward off bad intentions, negative energies emotions. Change their environments from negative to positive energy.  

At Natural Healing Tools, take a moment to shop our subtle energy selection in our mediation shop. 

Suggestions: 

•  Evil Eye candle
• P.e.Bal Pyramid
• VitaPlex Life Force Pendant