What does Mal’occhio mean in Italian?

Question

I came across a keychain today that had this word on it and a hand symbol which was the pointer finger and pinkey sticking up. What does this mean?

I think it means something about the evil eye or something like that but not really sure.

Answer 1

mal de ojo

Answer 2

As first, correct writing is "Malocchio" and it's the equivalent of the Evil Eye.
The hand symbol with the 2 fingers sticking up is called in Italian "corna" (horns) and it was once thought to prevent or distract the effects of the Evil Eye.
Superstition says they're also warding off bad luck and meant to somehow conjure some supernatural power to protect the belonger of this object (or the performer of the gesture if made by hands).

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Answer 3

The evil eye.
In many forms of the evil eye belief, a person — otherwise not malefic in any way — can harm adults, children, livestock, or a possession, simply by looking at them with envy. The word "evil" can be seen as somewhat misleading in this context, because it suggests that someone has intentionally "cursed" the victim. A better understanding of the term "evil eye" can be gained from the old English word for casting the evil eye, namely "overlooking," implying that the gaze has remained focused on the coveted object, person, or animal for too long.

While some cultures hold that the evil eye is an involuntary jinx cast unintentionally by people unlucky enough to be cursed with the power to bestow it by their gaze, others hold that, while perhaps not strictly voluntary, the power is called forth by the sin of envy. In Jewish religious thought, it is sometimes asserted that the one who looks upon another with envy is not always at fault, but that the envy may be perceived by God, who then may redress the balance between two people by bringing the higher one low. It has been suggested that the term covet (to eye enviously) in the tenth Commandment refers to casting the evil eye, rather than to simple desire or envy.
:)

Answer 4

Bad eye, evil eye...a superstition, that someone can steal your luck or do harm, just by looking at you, so you should cross your fingers in a certain way, for protection.