Evil eye - emoji So, the idea of the evil eye is really about how a nasty stare from someone who's jealous can actually bring you some bad luck. It’s basically fueled by envy—when somebody desires what you’ve got and their negative emotions come through. Ancient Greece and Rome: The evil eye was considered a major threat to those who were praised too much. Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, and Hindu traditions: The evil eye is a curse that can be passed on through many generations.