Evil eye

An ancient belief that certain persons can project evil upon others through their glance, causing them injury, illness or even death or the destruction of their possessions.

The origins of this belief have been traced to the ancient Near East, India and the Mediterranean cultures. Tradition defines two types of evil eye, voluntary and involuntary.

Envy was known to be the cause behind the voluntary evil eye, which was characteristic of demons, witches and malicious humans. Thus its powers were especially feared. People considered it unlucky to have themselves or their possessions praised and often wore amulets or words from sacred texts to deflect the malignant glance. Women, children and domestic animals were thought to be most vulnerable to the workings of the evil eye, often called “fascination” or “overlooking.”

The involuntary evil eye was considered an affliction borne by people who did not intend to harm others by their gaze but who were unable to prevent it. A Slav folktale relates how a father blinded himself to avoid inflicting harm on his children. The concept of the evil eye has persisted throughout the centuries to present day cultures in many parts of the world.

For more information

Mark L. Prophet and Elizabeth Clare Prophet, Lost Teachings of Jesus: Missing Texts • Karma and Reincarnation, pp. 201–04.

Sources

Pearls of Wisdom, vol. 32, no. 54.