Oudajt, Eye of Horus: Between Ancient Egypt and Esotericism
The ancient Egyptians lived in one of the most fascinating societies in human history. Symbols in particular have played a key role in transmitting cultural knowledge from one generation to the next.
Whether it is hieroglyphs inscribed on the walls of temples and obelisks, papyri containing descriptions of ancient religious rituals or lucky charms still used today by the people, they are everywhere and teach us a lot about the way the ancient Egyptians viewed the world.
Among all these, the Eye of Horus is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable (and one of the most recognized in fact).
Named after one of the most powerful and influential gods in the Egyptian pantheon, the meaning of the Eye of Horus is profound and yet still very relevant.
In this article, we will therefore try to unravel its secrets and mysteries by looking at the various mythological aspects that surround it.
We will thus be able to better understand how this symbol was able to occupy such an important place in the enlightened culture of ancient Egypt.
To begin, let's take a look at the god Horus, understanding his history is undoubtedly a good starting point.
Contents :
History and creation of the Eye of Horus
So what is the true meaning of the Eye of Horus?
How is the Eye of Horus used today?
Who is the god Horus?
In ancient Egyptian mythology, Horus is the divine son of the god Osiris and the goddess Isis. The name “Horus” can carry several meanings. Egyptologists cite in particular:
- The Falcon
- The one above
- The one who is far away
He was one of the most renowned and beloved gods of the Ennead (a group of nine deities from Egyptian mythology who were worshiped in the sacred city of Heliopolis).
Horus was notably the god of the sky. In addition to the meaning that his name carries, we can easily affirm this thanks to the impressive number of representations which show us as a man with the head of a falcon.
In certain manuscripts and bas-reliefs, it is directly represented to us in the form of such a bird.
If you are also interested in the history of Egyptian religion, take a look at the Egyptian symbols and lucky charms that we have collected here, and tell us if they are worth the detour.
In short, the ancients believed that Horus's right eye represented the sun, while his left eye represented the moon. Here again, we see the powerful place that this god had with the sky, making the junction and union between the two most important celestial stars.
The mythological origin of Horus is found in the tale of Osiris and Isis, which is widely recognized as the most famous story of ancient Egypt.
Osiris and Isis are represented respectively as the masculine and feminine forces of the universe, two opposing but complementary forces that create the world through their harmony. Being the fruit of this union, the god Horus is therefore sometimes considered as the expression of life itself.
According to the ancients, Osiris was the eldest son of Nut (the goddess of the sky, stars and the cosmos) and Geb (the god of the Earth). He was the first king of Egypt and, as was the royal custom of the time, married his sister Isis.
If the genealogy and history of the god Horus interests you, here is an article from the mythologica site which will tell you about it from another angle.
History and creation of the Eye of Horus
Here we are going to tell you about one of the oldest, known and respected lucky charms of ancient Egypt.
Sometimes also called Wadjet, Oudjat or "Egyptian eye", this magical symbol is believed to provide protection, health and eternal youth.
Due to its powerful powers, the Eye of Horus was commonly used by the ancient Egyptians as protection for both the living and the dead. Here you can find examples of these jewels in the form of an amulet or a ring for example.
Even today, the Egyptian eye continues to be used for its healing properties and the protection it offers us.
Murder and betrayal: a dramatic origin
The origin of the Eye of Horus is found in an ancient myth which tells us of the struggle between the gods Seth and Osiris. Brothers who are completely opposed, the first is the master of chaos and desolation, while the second is associated with good and life.
As we discussed earlier, Osiris held the role of king of Egypt. Seth, jealous and eager to seize the throne, used tricks and artifices to get his brother to let down his guard, and finally be able to assassinate him.
The Egyptians show us through this legend how envy, jealousy and the desire for the goods of others can lead to the worst atrocities.
Here, it is the assassination of a god by his own brother that is being told to us, but the message is undoubtedly applicable to a whole host of areas of life.
In short, after committing his fratricide, Seth had become the new king, bringing chaos and disorder to Egypt.
Through her magical power, however, Isis managed to bring her deceased husband back to life for a few moments, just the time it took for her to become pregnant.
You already know the child who was born shortly after: it is the famous Horus.
Aware of the magical power of his rival, Seth decided to dismember the body of Osiris into fourteen pieces which he scattered across the four corners of the country. This was intended to prevent him from passing into the underworld.
Indeed, according to ancient Egyptian beliefs, the body of the deceased had to be embalmed and buried in its entirety so that the soul could leave our world.
Isis and her son Horus therefore set out in search of the body parts. Nephthys, Anubis, Hathor, Thoth: they were helped in their mission by the different deities of the Egyptian pantheon (on which you will find more information here ) for whom good must triumph at all costs.
Together, they managed to locate all the pieces of Osiris' body and thus begin a ritual aimed at bringing her back from the dead.
As the one spirit of the great god gradually returned to our world, Seth realized what was happening and what started a terrible series of battles.
The cost of revenge
Horus was the youngest of all the gods and the only one whose powers were not necessary for the ritual to run smoothly. Despite his novice character, it was he who had to fight the terrible Seth.
The battles were long and terrible, entire regions of Egypt were shaken and the deserts of the Sahara still remember some of these clashes.
During the fight between Horus and Seth, the two gods suffered heavy injuries: one of Horus' eyes was torn out and Seth lost one of his testicles. (As the evil god was later banished to the desert, this explains why these lands are forever barren).
According to one version of the myth, Seth tore the eye into six distinct parts which he scattered to the four corners of the world, exactly as he had for the body of Osiris.
In others, it was Horus himself who gouged out his eyes, the ultimate sacrifice necessary to carry out the resurrection ritual.
This theory is quite interesting and explains why the Egyptian eye is considered a symbol of sacrifice and heroism.
From a more symbolic point of view, the fight between Seth and Horus can be seen as a metaphor for the battle between order and chaos, between the virtuous and the sinners.
A magical cure
Once Seth was defeated, the gods were so impressed by Horus' exploits and heroism that they decided to make him the new king of Egypt. His reign was synonymous with prosperity and peace for all Egyptians.
However, just because the throne was no longer vacant did not mean that the idea of bringing Osiris back to life had to be abandoned! The ritual was therefore completed with great success.
However, the eye of Horus was still lost... and the god decided to recover it (logical, you might say).
Once again, magic was used by Egyptian divinities who were definitely linked to esotericism.
Some versions claim that it is Hathor (the goddess of the sky, fertility, beauty and women) who rebuilds the eye. Others say that it was Thoth (the god of wisdom and magic) who did it.
It is since this day that this symbol has been called Oudjat, or Wadjet, which literally means "that which is whole and healthy" and this type of pendant, simple but terribly effective, is worn for its close link with the powerful magic of Thoth.
So what is the true meaning of the Eye of Horus?
Starting from the Egyptian legends that we have just told you about, we easily understand why the Egyptian eye became a sacred symbol linked to healing, regeneration, protection and even eternal life.
Because the Eye of Horus was magically restored, the ancient Egyptians believed that it possessed healing properties, remnants of the powerful spells that recreated it.
It has also been found in funerary monuments. No doubt it also had a link with death and the passage of souls to the afterlife.
In short, many lucky charms have therefore been able to benefit from its powers.
Amulet, pendant or talisman…
Gold, silver, porcelain or lapis lazuli…
To ensure good health, ward off bad luck or gain wisdom...
The uses of the Egyptian eye are numerous and the contexts in which it shines brilliantly are extremely numerous.
A mathematical symbol?
Specialists in ancient Egypt who have observed it more closely have arrived at a constant that is disturbing to say the least: this symbol could well contain the secrets of very advanced mathematical knowledge that the ancient Egyptians had, the meaning of the eye of Horus would be above all mathematical.
Often, when we think of past civilizations, we think of “primitive,” almost backward societies. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth!
The Egyptians were great researchers, curious to discover the rules that govern our world and to whom we owe some of the bases of our modern science. It is here in mathematics that the Eye of Horus stands out.
In the myth, this eye was divided into six. In its symbolic representation, the Egyptian eye contains precisely six distinct parts.
Each of them is worth a very precise fraction of the total drawing: the right side of the eye is worth 1/2, the pupil 1/4, the eyebrow 1/8, the left side of the eye 1/16, the curved tail 1/32, and the teardrop 1/64.
When we add it all up, we arrive at 63/64. The missing part is supposed to represent the magical powers that allowed the eye to be recreated, a reminder that nothing in our world is perfect.
Different parts for different senses
Some of those who have looked into the matter have also drawn parallels between the different parts of the eye of Horus and our senses. Here is the conclusion of their work:
- The right side of the eye is associated with the sense of smell, because it is closest to the nose and in some ways resembles that organ.
- Needless to say, the pupil represents the sense of sight.
- The eyebrow corresponds to thought (which was also a sense for the ancient Egyptians), because its movements can be used to express our thoughts.
- The left side of the eye represents the sense of hearing, as it points toward the ear and is shaped like a musical note.
- The curved tail may resemble a stalk of wheat in early germination. Apart from this link with food, this part designates taste.
- Finally, the tear is supposed to represent the sense of touch, because we can see in this form a stem that is planted in the ground, an act that implies physical contact and therefore a certain touch.
Analyze each part precisely to bring meaning to the Eye of Horus from a more global point... This is an interesting approach!
How is the Eye of Horus used today?
Although ancient Egyptian civilization ended, the belief in the power of the Eye of Horus continued with equal force.
In many Mediterranean countries, for example, fishermen often paint this symbol on their boats to protect themselves at sea.
Lots of people around the world also like to wear it as jewelry to benefit from almost magical protection.
This may seem disturbing to say the least. Indeed, why did a simple Egyptian lucky charm continue to be used where so many others have disappeared over the years?
The answer is simple: the Egyptian eye is popular among occultists and witchcraft enthusiasts. For them, this symbol is only used as protection, but also to access knowledge and hidden knowledge.
When we look at this amulet, combining ancient glyphs and the symbol of the eye of Horus, it becomes clear that certain practitioners of magic may have used it during rituals that we have no idea of.
Egyptian magic and the third eye
The Eye of Horus is a symbol intrinsically linked to the human psyche. Some also see it as a representation of the “third eye”.
This term designates a higher meaning that we all have but which is hidden from us, to which we do not have direct access.
As they developed their third eye, some people have testified to truly astonishing things. It is notably a question of mystical powers, a clearer vision of the world and life, a richer metaphysical and spiritual life.
In short, these are almost superhuman abilities to which the third eye would give us access.
Some say that this is something possible, that the capacities of our brain are very little used and that, if we learn to control them, this type of powers would not be surprising.
Others speak of more sacred things, of a link with a creator god who would offer some of us gifts that surpass understanding.
Regardless, most agree that the Eye of Horus invites us to better discern the messages left in nature and to better exploit our own psychic knowledge and the natural talents that we have decided to forget and leave unexploited.
Once opened (it is true that this commonly used term does not always allow us to fully understand what it is about), our third eye offers us a clear vision of reality and greater possibilities for understanding the world that surrounds us. surrounded.
The Eye of Horus itself has many ways of working.
To open and awaken the third eye, for example, meditate on it by staring at its pupil. Do this little by little, the eye will show itself to you in vision as you open your psychic portal.
When used as jewelry, its wearer benefits from its protective and healing abilities. After wearing one for a while, some have also reported a feeling of “energetic rebalancing” and an impression of having been protected against certain types of malicious attacks.
In fact, this lucky charm is so popular that all kinds of theories have emerged about it. A whole bunch of more or less credible organizations have also incorporated it into their logo, notably secret societies.
A link with the pineal gland?
The pineal gland is a part of the brain that is absolutely essential for the proper functioning of the human body.
In terms of sleep, it ensures the production of melatonin (often called the sleep hormone) based on the succession of light-dark cycles.
By being regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus located in the hypothalamus, melatonin also participates in the control of body temperature, hunger, thirst, fatigue and circadian rhythm.
The pineal gland is also responsible for producing serotonin. We are talking here about an essential hormone that is responsible for regulating mood, behavior and (to a certain extent) digestion.
Also known as the happy hormone, a lack of serotonin production is a major cause of depression.
However, the pineal gland does much more than just orchestrate the production of hormones in our body.
According to our elders and the teachings that have reached us (whether archaeological traces, manuscripts or oral tradition), this part of the brain is the key to accessing states of modified consciousness.
In ancient Egypt in particular, the pineal gland was seen as the seat of the mind, and was used as a gateway to higher consciousness.
Due to its importance, it would therefore have been venerated in many ways. There is, however, one that will particularly interest us here: the eye of Horus.
Indeed, the comparison between the pineal gland as it appears in the brain and the symbol that we have spoken to you about throughout this article are striking. We are talking here about a physical resemblance (be careful, this image contains the anatomical section of a brain, sensitive souls refrain) as you can see here.
Egyptologists do not know whether dissections were carried out at the time. However, many specialists, seeing this resemblance, think that it cannot be otherwise.
In reality, there are a whole bunch of different elements which tell us that it is the pineal gland and the hypothalamus which surrounds it which inspired the symbol which we have been talking to you about for a while.
The ancient Egyptians considered the Egyptian eye to be a very powerful magical tool capable of restoring harmony and balance to the internal energies of a human being.
When in addition we know that, yes, the Egyptians of the time of the pharaohs saw this area of the brain as the seat of the soul and that, on the other hand, the eye of Horus is associated with access to great knowledge hidden, a second parallel is established by itself.
The message of the Egyptian lucky charm that we have described to you in this article could well prove to be deeper than it seems...
It tells us that we have within ourselves the capacity to develop our spirituality, our connection to the divine and the sacred.
Call it what we want, but activating this mysterious thing could awaken our personality and bring to light the brighter side of our being and our true nature.
After the reading you have just done, it now appears very clearly: yes, the meaning of the eye of Horus is deep, interesting and offers us messages that can change our daily lives.
Conclusion: what the Eye of Horus can do for you
After reading this article, you will have understood: the eye of Horus is not an emblem of evil but, on the contrary, a powerful magical symbol that protects us from it.
If before you started reading this article, you associated Udjat with black magic and witchcraft, you must now have changed your mind.
In short, we are talking here about a lucky charm (literally, the eye of Horus can really bring you happiness) that we can wear for many reasons.
Here are a few :
- Amulets bearing this Egyptian symbol have always been worn to repel negative energies that could harm us. The ancient pharaohs themselves used this type of jewelry.
- Because it represents a secret part of our brain, the Eye of Horus is linked to our deepest emotions, but above all to the possibility of developing certain psychic powers.
- Some followers of Eastern philosophies and esoteric movements claim that meditating on the Eye of Horus (by visualizing or fixating on the symbol) helps activate the third eye chakra.
- Finally, and this remains important, the symbol of Oudjat is made of harmonious curves which give it a mysterious and intriguing aspect. It is therefore ideal for creating lucky jewelry with a fascinating style.
Lucky charms featured in this article
Eye of Horus Pendant
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Eye of Horus Ring
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