Evil eye is the supposed power to harm people by merely looking at them or by speaking ill of them. According to particular belief systems, an evil person who has this power may use it to cause such misfortune as death, illness, or property damage. People with this power may give the evil eye while praising children or adults, especially for their beauty. Many societies consider it improper to praise a child’s beauty because praise may mark the child for harm due to jealousy, a key motive for giving the evil eye. A person may also unknowingly have the evil eye and cause harm unintentionally. To avoid the evil eye, many people utter such phrases as “God bless you” or wear blue beads or protective charms. In modern Turkey, where belief in the evil eye is strong, turquoise talismans (charms) with a painted eye in the center are often found in homes, shops, and cars. They are also popular souvenirs for tourists. For thousands of years, people in many parts of the world have believed in the evil eye. Today, the belief remains common in India, in central Asia, and in Mediterranean countries. See also Amulet.
