How many times have you heard the phrase, "If looks could kill"?  That common phrase is deeply rooted in an ancient belief in the power of the evil eye.  This guide explains the evil eye and the amulets used for protection against it.

What Is the Evil Eye?

In a nutshell, the power of the evil eye is an ancient theory to explain why bad things happen.  Belief in the power of the evil eye seems to have originated in ancient Sumeria from whence it spread throughout the Fertile Crescent to the Mediterranean basin and beyond.  Some call it superstition, while others call it fact.  The evil eye is believed to cause sickness, bad luck, calamities, and even death.  It is often blamed for bad things caused by the looks, thoughts, or words of someone who is jealous, envious, or covetous.  Although often dismissed as superstition in the West, even the Bible mentions the evil eye in Proverbs 23:6 and Mark 7:21-22.

Who Has the Evil Eye?

Nobody knows how or why someone is born with the evil eye.  In Turkey and Greece, the power is often attributed to people with blue eyes, perhaps because that eye color is a genetic rarity in the regions.  In the Middle East, people believe that excessive praise of any kind is likely to bring the malady of the evil eye because it implies envy.  Never coo too much over a cute baby or rant and rave over someone's beautiful new home because that praise is sure to cause panic that something bad will happen to the child or the house.

Protection from the Evil Eye

For centuries, amulets have been used as a method of protection from bad things.  To protect yourself or loved ones from the power of the evil eye, simply wear an amulet.  To ward off the evil eye, a variety of amulets are available -- amulets that vary only a little from one culture to the next.  A universal among them, however, is a blue eye.

    In Egypt, the blue eye is often placed in the center of the palm of a hamsa (Arabic for the number five) hand, which can be seen dangling from car mirrors or hanging at entrances to homes and businesses. 

Evil Eye Amulets as Fashion Accessories

With the recent interest in Kabbala in the West, evil eye amulets have seen a rebirth in popularity and have become a hot fashion accessory.  Necklaces, chokers, bracelets, and earrings with the tell-tale blue eye bead are gracing even the rich and famous.  So even if you aren't inclined to fear the evil eye, don't pass up on the opportunity to own a hot, hot, hot fashion accessory and make an internationally recognized fashion statement!