The wedjat amulet, also known as the Eye of Horus, was one of the most popular amulets in ancient Egypt. It depicts both the human and falcon eye of Horus, who was often represented as a falcon. The Eye of Horus, also known as ‘wedjat’, was an ancient symbol of protection, particularly for the afterlife, and was also used to deflect evil. For this reason, it was often worn or hung on the deceased at burial.
There are six key parts, relating to the senses, to the Eye of Horus and each has its own value: the eyebrow represents thought; the pupil stands for sight; the triangle between the pupil and the white of the eye is hearing, whereas the white of the eye is smell; the spiral curve, or tail, represents taste; and the teardrop is touch.
To discover more about amulets in ancient Egypt, please visit our relevant blog post: Egyptian Amulets and their Meanings.