The Evil Eye: Cause and Effect
Almost everywhere that the Evil Eye belief exists, it is said to be caused accidentally by envy or praise. The original belief is that any person can harm you simply by looking enviously at the spoils of all your good will and hard work. Ironically, the curse of the Evil Eye is thought to be provoked by inappropriate displays of wealth, spiritual pride, or excessive beauty. It is common folklore that the Evil Eye has a "dehydrating" effect on its victim. It is thought to cause vomiting, diarrhea, the drying up of the milk of nursing mothers and livestock, problems with the blood, eyesight, the withering of fruit, and impotence in men. Clumsiness, stomach aches, dry coughs, itching, hair loss, and dry skin are all thought to be physical symptoms of an Evil Eye attack.

There is a theory that very famous people and celebrities suffer more personal misfortune than others simply because they are subjected to more "overlooking" and envy than others.

Eye Protection
Attempts to ward off the curse have resulted in a number of Evil Eye talismans in many cultures. As a class, they are called apotropaic, or "protective" talismans. Generally, it is believed that the Evil Eye talisman draws or reflects the "attention" of the Evil Eye, so it cannot harm the person wearing it. There are several ways in which people seek to protect themselves and others from harm. Evil Eye talismans can be worn as charms, beads or amulets. Drawings, paintings, mosaics, prayer cards and plaques are also believed to be effective against the Evil Eye. Throughout the Middle East, the talisman is painted on the prows of boats and other vehicles.

Color plays an especially important role in the perceived power of the talisman. Often, disks or balls consisting of concentric blue and white circles are arranged to represent a human eye. In general, "protective" colors such as deep cobalt blue, aquamarine, dark red or burgundy, grey, black, and white are considered effective against the Evil Eye.

Protective Talismans of Various Cultures
Protective talismans can be found throughout the world. The classic form is generally that of a protective eye or hand. There is solid archaeological evidence to suggest that the Evil Eye talisman predates both Judaism and Islam. References can be found to an ancient Middle Eastern goddess whose hand (or vulva, in other images) wards off the Evil Eye.

Late Roman & Catholic
The upward-pointing late Roman Hand of Power talisman continues in popularity today in the form of the Roman Catholic Powerful Hand, or Mano Poderosa in Spanish, which is sold on holy cards and applied to votive candles. The meaning of the hand is the same as in ancient times – magical protection and benediction – but in the modern Catholic version, the fingers are all stretched upright, as is the thumb.

Middle East & Persia
Known as nazar or nazarlik, eye-shaped talismans are particularly common in Turkey and throughout the Middle East, found in or on houses and vehicles and worn as beads. Related symbolism assigns protective power to the hand and blue eye talismans of Turkey, Greece, North Africa, the Middle East, and India.

The hamsa hand (Arabic) or hamesh hand (Hebrew) is an old and still popular protective amulet for protection from the envious or Evil Eye. The words hamsa and hamesh mean "five" and refer to the digits on the hand. An alternative Islamic name for this charm is the Hand of Fatima, in reference to the daughter of Mohammed.

Because the hamsa or hamesh hand protects against the Evil Eye, the design in some examples merges into another design called the eye-in-hand motif. In those instances, a realistic or stylized eye appears in the center of the palm of the hand.

Another Jewish name for the hamesh hand is the Hand of Miriam, in reference to the sister of Moses and Aaron. Here we see the Hand of Miriam, contained within a Star of David and surrounded by six apotropaic all-seeing eyes. Among Jews, fish are considered to be immune to the Evil Eye, so their images are often found on hamsa hand amulets.

Ancient Egypt
In Egypt, the talisman is found in the Eye Of Horus. Horus is an ancient god of Egyptian mythology. Horus was so important that the Eye of Horus became an important Egyptian symbol of power. He only had one eye because after Osiris was murdered by his brother Set, Horus fought with Set for the throne of Egypt. In this battle Horus lost one of his eyes and later this became a sign of protection in Egypt.

India & Buddhism
In India, sending someone the Evil Eye comes from the concept that we all have a third eye located in the center of our forehead. Blinding, fogging or obscuring the third eye is often the intent of the energy's sender. The human eye is also considered to be a mirror of the soul. Indian women wear heavy black makeup to emphasize their eyes not only to shield themselves from the Evil Eye but also to prevent themselves from accidentally inflicting it on others. A charm called the Eye of Buddha which references the Gautama Buddha is also worn to protect against astral attack.