The ancient and greatly feared belief that certain people can inflict bad luck, misfortune or death simply with a glance or intense stare. Negative energy is transmitted to another person with a glance or lingering look from a malevolent person.
The superstition was known as far back as 3000 BC, appearing in the cuneiform texts of the Sumerians and Assyrians. There is also evidence that the Babylonians and ancient Greeks believed in it. Women in ancient Egypt would paint their eyes and lips with makeup to keep the evil eye out. Most tribal cultures are aware of it and it is mentioned in both the Bible and the Koran. Even today in Mexico and Central America superstitions about the evil eye still exist.
The evil eye is said to most likely strike when an individual is at the height of his or her happiness and success and for some unknown reason children and cows seem to be special targets of the evil eye. Witches, sorcerers, magicians, medicine men and witch doctors are said to cast the evil eye. Native America shamans often combine the menacing look with a pointing stick, finger or wand. A person may also be cursed with the evil eye at birth and not know it. Pope Leo XIII was said to possess the evil eye. Because of this those who believe in the evil eye must constantly be on their guard as a malevolent stare could come from anyone, even a stranger in the street.
If a person is hit by the evil eye various superstitions offer protection against disaster striking. If a witch or sorcerer is not available to offer a counter-spell, the fig hand – a clenched fist with the thumb stuck through the middle and fourth fingers – and a curved horn are said to offer protection. Other protective amulets include bells, brass, red ribbons, blue beads, garlic, horseshoes or hanging charms in windows to confuse a witch’s gaze. Denying success and good fortune could also deflect it, and admired infants would be smeared with dirt before being taken out. Touching wood was also thought to offer protection against the curse of the evil eye.