Belief in the evil eye dates back to antiquity, with evidence found in ancient Sumerian, Egyptian, and Greco-Roman cultures.

Archaeological and textual evidence confirms the evil eye's deep historical roots. Amulets and protective symbols resembling modern 'evil eye' charms have been discovered in ancient Mesopotamia, dating back over 5,000 years. Ancient Egyptian texts describe protections against malevolent glances, and the concept was well-established in Classical Greece and Rome, where philosophers like Plutarch discussed its nature. Its enduring presence in diverse civilizations across millennia suggests a fundamental human psychological or sociological need to explain misfortune and protect against perceived threats, particularly those linked to social dynamics and envy.