The Evil Eye

 

Throughout history the evil eye was known to be able to cause injury or bad luck for the person at whom it is directed usually for reasons involving envy or distain.  The evil eye is given to others who remain unaware; however, all of a sudden their luck changes.  When I was listening to a story told by Greek woman she described a scene in which her aunt gave someone the evil eye and whenever that person stated that they wished for something to happen, the opposite happened such as wanting to travel somewhere by car and the car would break down.  The concept of the evil eye was generally accepted belief among many Mediterranean and Asian tribes and cultural groups.  Charms and decorations featuring the eye appear often across Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan and have become a popular souvenir for tourists visiting these areas.

It is a belief that some people can bequeath a curse on victims by extending a wicked gaze of their magical eye onto their adversaries.  The most common reason for the evil eye to be bestowed is envy in which the envious person casts the evil eye unintentionally or intentionally.  A typical target of the evil eye may be young children who are receiving admiration especially from a childless woman. The effects on the victims vary.  Some people believe the evil eye may cause disease, wasting, or even untimely death.  A person, usually not malevolent in any way, can harm adults, children, livestock, or possessions, simply by gazing at them with envy.  The gaze of the coveted item remained focused for too long.

Ancient sources revealed that beliefs in the evil eye existed during the Plato’s time.  During the Greco-Roman period scientific explanations stated that the eyes were the chief source of the deadly rays that were supposed to spring up like poisoned darts from the inner recesses of a person possessing the evil eye.  During the Roman days not only individuals were considered to possess the evil eye; however, it was believed that entire tribes such as the Pontus and Scythia were considered to possess these abilities. 

Where light colored eyes are relatively rare, these individuals are thought to be able to bestow the curse, intentionally or unintentionally.  In Greece and Turkey amulets against the evil eye take the form of blue eyes, and in the painting by John Phillip, it was witnessed the culture clash experienced by a woman who suspects that the artist’s gaze implies that he is looking at her  with the evil eye.  A blue or green eye can also be found on some forms of the hamsa which means five referring  to the fingers on a hand for the Jewish culture and the Hand of Fatima is utilized in the Muslim culture.  Concerning the Islam religion, only God can protect for the evil eye. 

Belief in the evil eye was found in Islamic doctrine.  Bona Fide practices for warding off the harmful effects of evil eye is commonly practiced by the Muslims.  Concerning admiration of a child’s beauty it is customary to say that “God has willed it” to protect the child.  A multitude of beliefs about the evil eye were found in other religions, typically consisting of the use of amulets or talismans as a means of protection.