The Evil Eye is not just a part of Italian folklore but is also present in many different cultures. Each of these cultures have their own versions of the Evil Eye. However, the Evil Eye is very prominent in Italian culture and still a common superstition today among Italians and Italian-Americans.
The Evil Eye is a look one gives another to put bad luck upon one either causing one misfortune or causing a type of mild physical pain. This look is cast by someone typically because of jealousy and envy.
However Italian culture has two ways to counteract the Evil Eye. These are the Italian Horn, or the “Cornuto” and the “Mano Carnuto”, the hand horn. The Italian Horn is a pendant often worn on a necklace in a shape similar to a chili pepper. This pendant is often in gold or coral and is said to be sacred to the Moon Goddess. This is meant to ward off evil spirits as well. The “Mano Carnuto” is the formation of a hand in a fist with the pinky finger and index finger extended. This is also supposed to ward of negative vibes and the Evil Eye. Both of these counteractions are of Italian origins.
