Description
The evil eye is a gaze believed to harm others and even kill those afflicted. Children, pregnant women, and animals are said to be particularly susceptible. Belief in the evil eye existed in ancient Greece and Rome, and was also feared by Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Jews. It is believed that belief in the evil eye originated in Sumer. Belief in the evil eye is very strong in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, especially in the Mediterranean. Many ships in the latter region are adorned with an eye on the bow. Belief in the evil eye also spread to Northern Europe, especially in Celtic regions. The ancient Romans also knew of the evil eye, under the name oculus malus. The evil eye exists in the Islamic world (Arabic: ayin harsha, also known as nazar in Turkey). This should be seen as a folk tradition that is rejected by certain movements within Islam. According to these movements, powers are attributed to an object that cannot possess any power. Combined with a passage from the Quran, such as the Verse of the Throne, others see it as a means of warding off evil. The evil eye is also found in Jewish mythology (also known as ayin horeh in Hebrew). In various Mediterranean countries, the evil eye is offered as souvenirs in many forms, such as bracelets, necklaces, earrings, bookmarks, and other trinkets. In the past, people used various tricks to avoid the so-called evil eye. For example, they recited verses from the Bible or invented various amulets. The "evil eye" is also used as the name for a specific amulet, the nazar, which is supposed to look away evil. This name is misleading, because it is not the evil eye itself, but rather the evil eye itself. The blue color of the nazar amulet has been considered a purifying color since ancient times. To ward off the evil eye, Asian children sometimes blacken their faces, especially around the eyes. Among some African peoples, the evil eye is especially feared during eating and drinking: if the mouth is open, the risk of soul loss to the evil eye is believed to be greater. Many cultures also wear amulets or talismans as a means of protection, or use spells and sacred texts against the evil eye.
