The evil eye (Turkish: Nazar, Greek: μάτι mati, "eye"; Hebrew: עַיִן הָרָע; Arabic: عين ayn; Persian: چشم cheshm) is a superstitious curse or legend, believed to be cast by a malevolent glare, usually given to a person when one is unaware. The evil eye is a superstitious curse or legend, believed to be cast by a malevolent glare, usually given to a person when one is unaware. It dates back at least to Greek classical antiquity, 6th century BC where it appeared on Chalcidian drinking vessels, known as 'eye cups', as a type of apotropaic magic.