The evil eye symbol. Chances are you’ve seen evil eye jewelry many times—from earrings to necklaces, and bracelets to amulets. The evil eye has played a key role in many cultures around the world. In fact, the evil eye originated from the Ancient Romans and Greeks some 3,000 years ago.
The evil eye has a deep meaning and a long history that is unknown to many. Here, we discuss everything you need to know about this famous symbol, including its influences and the meaning of each color.
The evil eye is a curse believed to inflict pain or harm. It is bestowed from one person onto another. In other words, giving someone the evil eye means you intend for something bad to happen to the recipient. This belief continues to persist in modern life.
The evil eye, known as a quasi-universal symbol of protection, is believed to have originated in ancient Greece and Rome. The earliest known evidence of a belief in the evil eye dates back to the 6th century B.C. when it appeared on drinking vessels. The evil eye has also been mentioned by many great figures such as Plato, Hesiod, and Plutarch.
There were varying beliefs about how a person came to possess an evil eye during ancient times. Plutarch’s scientific explanation said the eye was a curse given to a person when they are unaware. He also said that evil eyes were a source of deadly rays that spring up from a person possessing the evil eye.
Others believed the evil eye curse appears when a person is swollen with pride from being praised too much. The person possessing the evil eye would then become enveloped in negative energy. This would lead to them suffering from bad luck and physical and mental illness.
Some also blamed the evil eye for diseases that did not have an obvious cause. They believed the diseases were a punishment from the gods on those who had become too proud of what they’d achieved.