The evil eye is a classical folk belief that originated in Mediterranean cultures and spread throughout the ancient world in the Hellenistic period. The evil eye is understood as a type of curse cast on a person out of jealousy.

Early Sources
The evil eye (Hebrew: "ayin ha-ra") figures prominently in Jewish literature, in particular the Talmud and Kabbalistic works. The concept appears in other Mesopotamian and later Greco-Roman sources as well. It was spread throughout the ancient world in the Hellenistic period.

Reasoning Behind the Practice
The evil eye is aroused by jealousy. Traditional folk practices advocate minimizing ostentation to avoid drawing attention to one's wealth or privilege, and attracting an evil eye.

Amulets
Amulets, including the hand-shaped hamsa and the red thread tied around the wrist, are widely used today.