The Ancient Egyptian Horus was a sky deity, the Eye of Horus was a magickal Protective symbol also called a Wadget, used by the Pharaohs to guard against evil in life and into the afterlife. The Eye of Horus was known to provide good health and rebirth. It was used as a talisman for Ancient Egyptian sailors often painted on the bow of their boats for protection. The Eye of Horus represents the Falcon which is his sacred symbol inked about his eye including the long teardrop. Mythologists claim the left eye of Horus represented the moon and the deity Thoth. His right eye was of the Sun.
According to Ancient Egyptian mythology there was much competition between Osiris’s son Horus and his Uncle Set. Osiris was allegedly known to be the King of Egypt and Horus was to be heir of his father’s throne upon his death.
Once Osiris died he went on to become the ruler of the netherworld.
Unfortunately for Horus, his Uncle Set lusted to be the one true ruler of Egypt and through treachery he murdered Horus. The mystical goddess Isis was married to Horus, she avenged her husband by using her magick to rebirth Horus.
Once grown up Horus and Set battle it out over Set’s treachery. Set tore out most of Horus’s left eye, ripped it into six parts and tossed it away.
The god Thoth known for his wisdom to heal and to resurrect the dead, Thoth healed Horus’s eye with his adept skill of magick.
Mathematical Symbol of the Eye of Horus:
The Eye of Horus was torn into six parts by Set, each has a fraction used for measurement. The left side of the eye 1/16, the curved falcon tail 1/32 and the teardrop 1/64. The right eye is 1/2, eyebrow 1/8 and the pupil 1/4 total 63/64 with the missing piece of eye represents Thoth’s magick.
What do these fractions of the Eye of Horus six parts mean? The Six Senses.
Left Eye: Illustrates the sense of Hearing, it reveals the symbol of a musical instrument. The sinuous tail is similar to a sprouted grain of wheat, symbolizing food and sense of Taste. The Teardrop mirrors the sense of Touch, it resembles a stalk planted in the ground by the farmer’s hands.
Right Eye: The Pupil Represents the Sense of Sight, while the eyebrow is very expressive it symbolize our ideas through our mind’s eye. The Sense of Smell is characterized by the right Eye located nearest to the nose.
According to popular author Judika Illes in her book Encyclopedia of Spirits, the Ultimate Guide to the Magic of fairies, genies, demons, ghosts,gods & goddesses on page 490 she writes,
“By the fifth Dynasty, if not before, Egyptians were producing white and red wines known as the Left and Right eyes of Horus, respectively.”
Above: Modern Wine Photo: “Horus,” Wines by Undurraga depicts the Eye of Horus on their label
In present times people use the Eye of Horus as a protective talisman from evil including the Evil eye. Some sailors still paint it on their boats for smooth waters at sea.
Above Photo: Anibal Trejo, Adobe Stock. Luzzu boat at Marsaxlokk harbor, Malta.
Source & References:
- McGregor, J.©2018. Eye Of Horus: Meaning Behind The Egyptian Eye.
- Judika Illes,©2009 Encyclopedia of Spirits, the Ultimate Guide to the Magic of fairies, genies, demons, ghosts,gods & goddesses page 490
- Ritter, Jim ©2002 Closing the Eye of Horus: the Rise and Fall of ‘Horus-Eye Fractions.
- Illustrations Wikipedia in Public Domain
- Anibal Trejo/Adobe Stock. Luzzu boat at Marsaxlokk harbor, Malta
Val is a writer of enchanted tales, folklore and magic. Once chased by Vampire Pumpkins! 