What is the Evil Eye?

The video explores the concept of the evil eye, a belief that a person's gaze can cause harm, prevalent across various cultures and religions. It traces the origins of this belief to ancient Mesopotamia and its spread to the Greco-Roman world, where it was linked to envy. The video discusses ancient theories of vision that may have influenced the belief in the evil eye and describes various protective measures used in different cultures, including amulets and rituals. It also examines the presence of the evil eye in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, and presents anthropological theories suggesting that the belief may have evolved as a form of social control in agrarian societies.

What is the evil eye believed to affect?

• Only romantic relationships

• Only physical health

• Only financial success

• Various aspects of life including health, wealth, and relationships

Where is the evil eye belief thought to have originated?

• Ancient Egypt

• Ancient Mesopotamia

• Ancient Greece

• Ancient Rome

What theory of vision did many ancient Greeks and Romans believe in?

• Intro mission theory

• Extra mission theory

• Refraction theory

• Reflection theory

What is the evil eye often associated with in terms of emotions?

• Love

• Fear

• Envy

• Joy

Which ancient philosopher believed you could accidentally evil eye yourself?

• Socrates

• Aristotle

• Plutarch

• Homer

What was a common apotropaic motif in the Roman Empire to ward off the evil eye?

• A raven

• A trident

• A phallus

• A scorpion

Which religious text mentions the evil eye in the context of protection?

• The Quran

• The Bible

• The Torah

• The Bhagavad Gita

What is the Hamsa, and which cultures use it?

• A type of food used in Jewish culture

• A type of clothing used in Islamic culture

• A hand-shaped amulet used in Jewish and Muslim cultures

• A musical instrument used in Christian culture

What is one social psychological theory about the origin of the evil eye belief?

• It evolved to promote envy

• It evolved as a strategy of social control

• It evolved to encourage isolation

• It evolved to promote competition

How might the evil eye belief encourage pro-social behavior?

• By making people more competitive

• By making people more envious

• By making people more aware of envy and careful in relationships

• By making people more isolated