The evil eye is a curse believed to be cast by a malevolent glare, usually given to a person when they are unaware. Many cultures believe that receiving the evil eye will cause misfortune or injury.[1] Talismans created to protect against the evil eye are also frequently called “evil eyes”.[2][3]

The “evil eye” is also known in Arabic as ʿayn al-ḥasūd (عين الحسود‎ eye of the envious), in Hebrew as ʿáyin hā-ráʿ (עַיִן הָרַע‎), in Aramaic as “ayna bisha” (ܒܝܼܫܵܐ ܥܲܝܢܵܐ‎), in Kurdish çaw e zar (eye of evil/sickness), in Persian as chashm zakhm (چشم زخم eye-caused injury) or chashm e bad (bad eye), in Turkish as Nazar (nazar is from Arabic نَظَر Nadhar, which means eye vision or eyesight), similarly in Hindustani and Punjabi the word Nazar or Boori Nazar (bad look) is used, in Amharic buda, in Pashto cheshim mora, and also “Nazar”, in Greek as to máti (το μάτι), in Albanian as syni keq (or “syri i keq”), in Romanian as “deochi”, in Spanish as mal de ojo,[4] in Italian as malocchio, in Portuguese mau-olhado (“act of giving an evil/sick look”), in Swedish as “ge onda ögat” (to give an evil look), and in Hawaiian it is known as “stink eye”[5] or maka pilau meaning “rotten eyes”.[6]

The idea expressed by the term causes many different cultures to pursue protective measures against it. The concept and its significance vary widely among different cultures, primarily the Middle East. The idea appears several times in translations of the Old Testament.[7] It was a widely extended belief among many Mediterranean and Asian tribes and cultures. Charms and decorations featuring the eye are a common sight across Turkey, Iran, and Afghanistan and have become a popular choice of souvenir with tourists.(wikipedia)