Since ancient times, the Eye of Horus, which is also referred to as the “all seeing eye,” is one of the most recognized symbols of ancient Egypt. The Egyptian symbol for the goddess Wedjat was used for protection, for healing, as well as for mathematical and medicinal calculations. The word Wedjat means sound, and it is the name of a cobra goddess often depicted as a rearing cobra. The all seeing eye continued in Egyptian civilization and was in use for thousands of years and still continues to be used today.1
According to Egyptian mythology, the god Horus lost his left eye in one of his struggles with the god Set, the brother of Osiris, for the right to rule Egypt, and to avenge the death of his father Osiris. The eye was later restored by the god Hathor, and his restoration came to symbolize the process of making whole and healing. Some other versions of the story indicate that the god Thoth restored the eye and not Hathor. The story states that the restored eye became a symbol of light, and represented protection, strength, and perfection. Although another version of the myth states that it was in fact the right eye and not his left, and that it represented the sun that was torn out again by Set during one of their battles.1
Thoth then restored all of the eye except a small piece that became the origin of the Horus-eye fractions. The right side of the eye equaled 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. Once these fractions were added, they total 63/64, known in mathematical circles as the reciprocal 2N series and a complementary fraction. The Horus eye fractions were used for measuring grains and medicines.3
The right eye is said to be symbolic of the sun, the day, and its power. The left eye represents the waxing and waning properties of the moon–the Horus or light of the night. The two-winged eyes represent the two divisions of heaven: north and south, and sun and moon. The image uraeus was a symbol of kingship and power and said to be worn on top of the forehead. The Wedjat was also depicted as a leonine form known as the Eye of Ra. The Eye of Horus survived beyond ancient Egypt in various cultural, mystic, esoteric, and, more recently, neo-Egyptian traditions. The masonic symbol of the eye of Providence, which appears on U.S. currency, is said to derive from the Eye of Horus, as does the Rx symbol used by the pharmaceutical industry. Although some people believe the evil eye is part of the Wedjat tradition, it’s not, even though some sources may link the two. Therefore, the Wedjat is still popular as both a symbol and an amulet, either for protection or for its association with ancient Egyptian culture.4
- Encyclopedia of African Region, 2009, s.v. “Eye of Horus, ” by Denise Martin. ↵
- Encyclopedia of African Region, 2009, s.v. “Eye of Horus, ” by Denise Martin. ↵
- Edward Hincks, “On the Age of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Manetho,” The Transaction of the Royal Irish Academy Vol.21 (1864): 3-10. ↵
- Edward Hincks, “On the Age of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Manetho,” The Transaction of the Royal Irish Academy Vol.21 (1864): 3-10. ↵
58 comments
Karla Chavana
As soon as I saw the photograph of the eye of Horus, I gained a sense of familiarity. I am certain that I have seen this before in a text book or elsewhere. This article provided great information about the origin and the usage of such amulet or symbol. Origin stories or legends always capture my attention and make me ponder on my own culture and our own symbols or beliefs. I absolutely love the symbolism of the sun and moon, of right and left.
Megan Barnett
Nice article it definitely covers an unusually topic. I find it strange though that the Horus eye fractions were used as a measurement system. It is also shocking that this myth about an eye is still popular today. This makes me wonder why this certain symbol from the Egyptians can be derived from U.S. currency and the Rx symbol used at a pharmacy.
Tyler Sleeter
Great article. I did not know much about the Eye of Horus, especially about its use in math. I think it is interesting that each part of the eye was a separate fraction and that it was used the symbol as a measurement for grain and medicine. Maybe that is why it is used as a pharmacological symbol? It seems to me that the Eye of Horus is becoming common once again.
Robert Rees
I always assumed the all seeing eye was meant to symbolize a divine presence always observing humanity. I never knew the Eye of Horus represented the sun or moon, depending on which eye is depicted, and that the eye was used in conjunction with mathematics. I knew the Egyptians were well versed in mathematics, given how they constructed the pyramids and the sphinx, but did not expect the parts of the Eye of Horus to represent different fractions.
Auroara-Juhl Nikkels
I love Egyptian history. I’ve read many books on Horus and rumors about the Eye of Horus, but I’ve never heard the facts about the measurements of the eye. I think it’s extremely interesting how you found that and how the people/Gods of the time used the eye for medical purposes. How the All Seeing Eye represents reciprocal 2N series and a complementary fraction and is still used today make it clear how big of an impact something from so long ago can leave such an impact on current day.
Mario De Leon
Great article! I just finished reading another article on the eye of Horus so I was excited to see what you brought to the table about this complicated Egyptian god. I wasn’t disappointed because your article was very well written. I read most of the information in the other article but your article still provided new information to me. Fun read!
Natalia Zuniga
I have always loved Egyptian mythology and often read about it. With that, I thought I knew a good amount of Egyptian mythology, but I learn a lot. I can tell you did a lot or research not only about the eye but everything it has to do with. I did not know how it was associated with math. Great job!
Steven Clinton
Interesting Article, The Eye of Horus is an important symbol in Egyptian culture. The eye symbolized omnipotence and protection. Mythology is always entertaining to read, though it can get confusing sometimes. It’s also interesting to see there is some conflicting views on how Horus lost his eye. The debate on how just sums up the importance of Horus’s eye. Great article!
Nelson Smithwick
This was a very interesting article, I had heard of the Eye of Horus before, but I only thought it was a religious symbol and a symbol of/for protection. I had no clue that it had such practical applications, to be used for measurement. I never knew there was so much information present in such a simple representation of an eye.
Cesar Zavala
Great article! Lots of facts on how the Eye of Horus was used by ancient Egyptian civilizations. The measurements aloud the Egyptians to create the amazing structures we see today. Its amazing how advanced these people were such a long time ago. Some how I think if the people of today’s world, including me, were to be put in their circumstances, would never have survived. Very interesting topic and great writing!