The Eye of Horus was a powerful protection symbol from Ancient Egypt. It is also known as the Wedjat. The Eye of Horus was a sacred symbol said to protect anything behind it. It is the “All seeing Eye”. It is a symbol of great god power.
Many people wear the Eye of Horus as an amulet to protect themselves from envious and ill-wishing people. It is often seen on t-shirts, sweaters and so on. Ornaments of the Eye of Horus are sold in the thousands around the world.
It is especially popular in the Mediterranean countries. It is not uncommon to see versions of the Eye of Horus painted on fishing boats in these countries. It is used as a protection symbol ensuring a safe journey at sea.
Anyway, what’s the story?
There are many versions of this story. Here is one version which is simplified. Isis and Osiris were rulers of the world. Osiris was King of the world and Isis was Queen. Their parents were Geb, god of the earth and Nut, goddess of the sky.
Seth was the brother of Isis and Osiris. He was extremely jealous as he wanted to be the ruler of the world. Seth hated Isis and Osiris for their success.
He was obsessed with getting rid of Osiris. After lots of thinking he came up with his master plan. Seth ordered a beautiful chest to be made. He attained help from the evil Queen of Ethiopia. The chest was made to fit the exact measurements of Osiris.
Osiris Murdered at the Feast
Seth lured Osiris to visit him by inviting him to a grand feast. He also made sure 72 of his close friends and allies were present. After all the guests had eaten a splendid meal and had plenty to drink, Seth brought the chest into the room. It was greatly admired by all. Seth came with a surprise announcement: Whoever could fit into the chest would receive it as a gift.
Of course the chest fit Osiris perfectly. Osiris relaxed in the chest and declared happily that the chest was his prize. Suddenly Seth (assisted by his alias) slammed the lid down and bolted the chest. Osiris had no way of escaping.
The chest containing the body of Osiris was thrown into the river. Osiris was dead.
The corpse of Osiris ripped apart
Isis discovered her beloved brother and husband was dead and went looking for his body. She eventually found the chest and was bringing it back home. As it happened Seth was out hunting when he stumbled upon the chest hidden in the marshlands.
He was furious and opened the chest. He then cut the corpse into fourteen parts and hid the parts all across Egypt. Isis was devastated and went searching for all the body parts. She found thirteen parts and was able to ensemble Osiris and sends him on his journey to the Underworld. The penis had been eaten by a fish; Isis had to make a new one for him. Seth was now ruler of the world.
Horus
Isis spent her time caring for Horus, her son with Osiris.
Horus was portrayed as a falcon or with a falcon’s head.
When Horus became old enough he set off to take revenge. During the battle Seth got hold of an eye of Horus.
He ripped out the eye and tore it into six parts before throwing it away.
The Eye of Horus is Restored
The goddess Hathor restored Horus’s eye and he could continue on with his mission. Hathor was daughter of the Sun god.
After quite a few battles Horus wins over Seth. The moon god named Thoth found the pieces of the original torn eye and restored the eye almost completely.
Osiris Book of the DeadIn gratitude Horus gave the eye to his father thereby bringing him back to life.Osiris became the ruler of the Underworld. Thoth was known to have secret knowledge.
Eye of Horus Measurements
Each part of the eye was given a fraction in descending order. These measurements of the Eye of Horus were used in Ancient Egypt by doctors when prescribing medicine.
When adding up the fractions it comes to 63/64. Some say the missing part is the magical powers belonging to Thoth. Others believe this goes to show that nothing can ever be 100% perfect.
Eye of Horus Fractions
The right side of the eye = ½ – Smell
The pupil = ¼- Sight
The eyebrow = 1/8 – Thought
The left side of the eye = 1/16 – Hearing
The curved tail = 1/32 – Taste
The teardrop = 1/64 – Touch
The six parts of the Eye of Horus were also associated with the senses.
The Eye of Horus was a resilient healer. It could bring the dead back to life. Symbols of the Eye of Horus were often placed on mummies to make the body whole again.
The Eye of Horus was also often painted on coffins so that the deceased could look through the coffin. The Eye of Horus became a very powerful protection symbol against all evil and a symbol of healing.
Rx SymbolSome claim that the Rx used as a prescription symbol by pharmacies and doctors is an abbreviated form of the Eye of Horus. Others say that it is just an abbreviation for the Latin word “recipe”.
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