This editorial introduces a special issue on brain asymmetry in development, psychopathology, and evolution. It summarizes several of the articles in the issue. The issue explores how brain asymmetry is related to cognition, emerges in evolution, develops over a person's lifetime, and relates to individual differences and psychopathology. It finds that some forms of brain asymmetry are ancient and shared across species, while others are unique to humans. The issue investigates theories on the emergence of brain asymmetry and its implications.