According to folk belief, the bad effects of an attack result from the "hot" force of the aggressor entering the childs body and throwing it out of balance. Currier has shown how the Mexican hot-cold system is an unconscious folk model of social relations upon which social anxieties are projected. According to Currier, "the nature of Mexican peasant society is such that each individual must continuously attempt to achieve a balance between two opposing social forces: the tendency toward intimacy and that toward withdrawal. [It is therefore proposed] that the individuals continuous preoccupation with achieving a balance between heat and cold is a way of reenacting, in symbolic terms, a fundamental activity in social relations." Puerto Rico
In Puerto Rico, Mal de Ojo or "Evil Eye" is believed to be caused when someone gives a wicked glare of jealousy to someone, usually when the person receiving the glare is unaware. The jealousy can be disguised into a positive aspect such as compliments or admiration. Mal de Ojo is considered a curse and illness. It is believed that without proper protection, bad luck, injury, and illness are expected to follow. Mal de Ojo impact is believed to affect speech, relationships, work, family and most notably, health. Since Mal de Ojo centers around envy and compliments, it creates fear of interacting with people that are outside of their culture. Indirect harm could be brought to them or their family.
Periorbital hyperpigmentation, also known as hereditary dark circles, is characterized by darker skin around the eyes caused by the presence of additional melanin. It is an extremely common hereditary human characteristic and is frequently found on individuals with dark skin. Periorbital hyperpigmentation is most prevalent within the 16–25 age group. See also
Eye shadow
Kohl (cosmetics)
Freckles

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