Evil Eye belief endures from ancient amulets to modern life
The Evil Eye, or Al Ayn, remains a widely practised belief across cultures, from ancient talismans to today's wellness ideas, according to an artist who studies its history.
Al Ayn, known as the Evil Eye, rests on the belief that an envious gaze can bring illness, misfortune or harm, and can spoil an achievement or good fortune. People have developed many ways to guard against it, from protective symbols to social rituals. Kuwaiti-Indian multimedia artist Zahed Sultan said he is fascinated by the concept's complex history and its wide range of visual forms.
The belief is said to be about 5000 years old, although its exact origins are difficult to trace. Similar symbols have appeared in Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Levant, Greece, the Ottoman Empire and South Asian traditions. Islamic tradition also acknowledges the Evil Eye, and phrases invoking God are common across the Arab world as a way of deflecting envy.
The blue glass Evil Eye beads associated with the Ottomans are designed to reflect the gaze back at the observer. Another well-known form, the Khamsa, pairs the eye with an open palm. Sultan said the belief continues to shape everyday rituals and modern wellness ideas, such as avoiding negative energy.