Evil eye - Distribution of the belief

The evil eye is a widely distributed element of folklore or superstition: a belief that some people, often women seen as witches, can bestow a curse on victims by the malevolent gaze of their magical eye. The effects on victims vary; some have them afflicted with bad luck of various sorts. Others believe the evil eye has even more baleful powers, that it can cause disease, wasting away, and even death. Some cultures hold that the evil eye is an involuntary jinx that is cast unintentionally by people unlucky to be cursed with th ...

Including:

• Evil eye - Distribution of the belief
• Evil eye - Talismans offering protection
• Evil eye - Modern usage

Read more here: » Evil eye: Encyclopedia - Evil eye

Belief in the evil eye is strongest in the Middle East, Asia and Europe, especially the Mediterranean region; it has also spread to other areas like the Americas. In some more areas where light-colored eyes are relatively rare, people with blue eyes are feared to possess the power to bestow the curse, intentionally or unintentionally. Belief in the evil eye features in Islamic mythology; it is not a part of Islamic doctrine, however, and is more a feature of Islamic folk religion. The evil eye is also significant in Jewish folklore; i ...

See also:

Evil eye, Evil eye - Distribution of the belief, Evil eye - Talismans offering protection, Evil eye - Modern usage

Read more here: » Evil eye: Encyclopedia II - Evil eye - Distribution of the belief

Attempts to ward off the curse of the evil eye resulted in a number of talismans being resorted to. Painted balls (or disks) painted with a blue circle with a concentric black circle inside representing an evil eye are common talismans in the Middle East. A blue eye can also be found on some forms of the Hand of Fatima (or Hamsa), an amulet against the evil eye in the Middle East. The large eyes often seen painted at the prows of Mediterranean boats are there, traditionally, to ward off the evil eye; the staring eyes return the malici ...

See also:

Evil eye, Evil eye - Distribution of the belief, Evil eye - Talismans offering protection, Evil eye - Modern usage

Read more here: » Evil eye: Encyclopedia II - Evil eye - Talismans offering protection