The term "evil eye" refers to a belief that a person can cause harm or misfortune to another simply by looking at them with envy or malevolence. This concept is often associated with the idea that some individuals possess a magical power that can bring bad luck or misfortune to others, usually unintentionally. Different cultures have various ways of warding off the harmful effects of the evil eye, such as amulets or special rituals.
The term "evil eye" comes from the ancient belief in many cultures, including ancient Greece and Middle Eastern societies, that an envious gaze could inflict harm. The phrase has origins in various languages, with similar concepts found in Hinduism (nazar) and Mediterranean cultures (malocchio).