The Eye of Horus, also known as the “wedjat eye,” represents healing, protection, and wholeness.
Its origins lie in the mythological struggle between Horus, the falcon-headed god of the sky, and Set, the god of chaos and disorder.
Beyond its mythological significance, the Eye of Horus was widely used in ancient Egypt as an amulet for protection and healing and was commonly found inscribed on jewelry, amulets, and even in the architecture of temples and tombs.
In this article we explore the fascinating myth and meanings of the iconic Eye of Horus.
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The Mythology of Horus and Set
Death of Osiris
The myth of Horus and Set is a cornerstone of ancient Egyptian mythology. The story can be found in some of the earliest recorded texts, including The Pyramid Texts, which date back to the late Old Kingdom (c. 2686–2181 BC).
Horus, the falcon-headed god of the sky and kingship was the son of Osiris and Isis, two prominent deities in the Egyptian pantheon.
Set, the brother of Osiris and uncle to Horus, was jealous of Osiris’s power and plotted against him. Set tricked Osiris into lying in a coffin, which he then sealed and threw into the Nile, leading to Osiris’s death.
The Rise of Horus
After the death of Osiris, Isis hid her son Horus in the marshes to protect him from Set’s wrath.
Horus was raised in secret, and when he grew up, he sought to avenge his father’s death and reclaim the throne from Set.
The Battle
The battle between Horus and Set was long and fierce, with many encounters and skirmishes.
It was not just a physical battle but also a legal and cosmic one, as the two gods appealed to the other deities to judge their claims to the throne.
During one of their battles, Set gouged out Horus’s eye, while Horus castrated Set, symbolizing their respective losses.
However, the eye was eventually restored and became known as the “wedjat” or “udjat” eye, a powerful symbol of protection and healing
The Judgment
The conflict was eventually brought before a council of gods to decide the rightful ruler of Egypt.
The council, which included deities such as Thoth, Ra, and Hathor, heard the arguments of both Horus and Set.
After much deliberation, the gods decided in favor of Horus, recognizing him as the legitimate ruler of Egypt and the rightful successor to Osiris.
Set was defeated but was given the role of god of the desert, storms, and chaos, maintaining the balance between order and disorder.
The Restoration of the Eye of Horus
There are different versions of the story regarding how the eye was restored, involving various gods and their magical abilities.
Thoth’s Intervention
In one popular version of the myth, Thoth, the god of wisdom and writing, plays a crucial role in the restoration of the eye.
After Horus’s eye is gouged out by Set, Thoth steps in to heal it. Using his knowledge of magic and medicine, Thoth is able to restore the eye to its full function.
This act not only symbolizes the restoration of Horus’s physical sight but also represents the return of order and justice.
This connection to Thoth is why the Eye of Horus is sometimes referred to as the “Eye of Thoth.”
Isis’s Role
In another version of the story, Isis, Horus’s mother, is the one who restores the eye.
Isis is known for her magical prowess and her ability to heal.
She collects the pieces of Horus’s damaged eye and, using her spells, reassembles and rejuvenates it.
The Eye of Horus Meanings and Symbolism
The restoration of the Eye of Horus is not just a literal healing of a physical injury; it carries deeper symbolic meanings.
It represents the triumph of light over darkness, the reestablishment of cosmic order, and the victory of good over evil.
The eye, once restored, is often depicted as a whole and healthy symbol, signifying wholeness, completeness, and protection.
The Wedjat Eye: Symbol of Wholeness
The Eye of Horus, also known as the “wedjat eye”, symbolizes wholeness and completeness
The term “wedjat” (also spelled “udjat” or “wadjet”) is derived from the ancient Egyptian word “wdjat,” which means “sound” or “whole.”
This symbolism is reflected in the mythological story where Horus’s eye is restored to its full integrity.
This concept of wholeness is central to the eye’s symbolism, representing not just physical health, but also spiritual and emotional well-being.
Healing and Restoration
The Eye of Horus is synonymous with healing and restoration.
In ancient Egyptian mythology, the eye’s recovery symbolizes the process of healing and the return to a state of well-being. This symbolism extended into the practice of medicine, where the Eye of Horus was used in the preparation of remedies.
Its image was inscribed on healing amulets and medical paraphernalia, believed to endow them with protective and restorative properties.
These amulets were worn as a means to promote health and safeguard against illness, highlighting the eye’s role as a potent symbol of healing.
Protection and Guidance
In ancient Egyptian temples and tombs, the Eye of Horus was commonly found in wall paintings, carvings, and hieroglyphs.
It was frequently depicted in wall paintings, carvings, and hieroglyphs, serving as a guardian symbol to ward off evil and ensure the safety of sacred spaces.
Beyond its protective function in the physical world, the Eye of Horus was also a symbol of safe passage and rebirth in the afterlife.
It was commonly included in funerary art, painted on boats, and used in burial practices to provide protection and guidance for the departed soul.
The symbol was believed to help the deceased navigate the challenges of the underworld and achieve rebirth in the afterlife.
The Six Parts of the Eye of Horus
The Eye of Horus, is composed of six parts, each representing a different sense and corresponding to a specific fraction in ancient Egyptian mathematics.
These parts are:
- The Right Side of the Eye (1/2): Represents the sense of smell and is associated with the olfactory bulb and tract, which are crucial for the sense of smell.
- The Pupil (1/4): Represents the sense of sight and corresponds to the pupil of the eye, which controls the amount of light that enters the eye.
- The Eyebrow (1/8): Represents the sense of thought and is associated with the frontal lobe of the brain, which is involved in decision-making and reasoning.
- The Left Side of the Eye (1/16): Represents the sense of hearing and corresponds to the part of the ear involved in hearing.
- The Curved Tail (1/32): Represents the sense of taste and is associated with the tongue, which is crucial for the sense of taste.
- The Teardrop (1/64): Represents the sense of touch and corresponds to the part of the body responsible for the sense of touch.
These six parts of the Eye of Horus not only represent different senses. It has been suggested that they also served as a mathematical system in ancient Egypt.
These fractions were used in various aspects of ancient Egyptian life, including land division, measurement of ingredients for medicine, and other practical applications.
However, this interpretation of the Eye of Horus as a mathematical system has been challenged by some scholars, who argue that the evidence for this association is not as strong as previously believed.
The Eye of Horus vs the Eye of Ra
The Eye of Horus and the Eye of Ra are two of the most iconic symbols in ancient Egyptian mythology, each representing different aspects of divine protection and power.
The Eye of Ra vs The Eye of Horus: What’s the Difference?
Dual Aspects of Divine Protection
The Eye of Horus, associated with the moon, is primarily a symbol of healing, protection, and restoration.
It represents the protective and nurturing aspects of the divine, often used as an amulet to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck to the wearer.
In contrast, the Eye of Ra, associated with the sun, embodies the fierce and wrathful aspects of the divine.
It symbolizes royal authority, power, and the ability to vanquish enemies, often depicted on the crowns of pharaohs as a mark of their divine right to rule.
Balancing Order and Chaos
The interplay between the Eye of Horus and the Eye of Ra reflects the ancient Egyptian concept of Ma’at, the principle of cosmic balance and order.
The Eye of Horus represents the restoration of order and the triumph of light over darkness, while the Eye of Ra represents the destructive power necessary to maintain that order.
Together, they embody the dual nature of the divine, balancing nurturing and protective qualities with the capacity for destruction and retribution.
Symbolic Integration in Mythology
In some myths, the Eyes of Horus and Ra are interchangeable or merged, further illustrating their interconnectedness.
For example, the “Distant Goddess” myth tells of the Eye of Ra (in the form of a goddess) wandering into distant lands and bringing chaos.
It is only when this eye is pacified and brought back (often equated with the Eye of Horus) that order is restored.
This story highlights the cyclical nature of destruction and restoration and the necessity of both aspects for the maintenance of cosmic balance.
Final Thoughts from A Higher View
Perhaps our enduring fascination with the Eye of Horus and the ancient world reflects an intuitive belief that ancient history holds answers to some of our deepest questions.
Ancient civilizations, like that of Egypt, were deeply connected to the natural world, the cosmos, and the spiritual realm. Their symbols, myths, and rituals were imbued with layers of meaning that addressed the complexities of life, death, and the divine.
The Eye of Horus, as a symbol of protection, healing, and wholeness, encapsulates these profound themes, resonating with our own search for balance, well-being, and understanding.