In ancient Egyptian culture, eyes were powerful symbols of protection, divinity, and cosmic order. Most notably, the Eye of Horus (Wedjat) represented healing, wholeness, and protection, stemming from the myth in which Horus’s damaged eye was restored by the gods. Eyes were also associated with divine authority and the watchful presence of the gods, as being seen by a deity implied both protection and judgment. The Eye of Ra, linked to the sun, symbolised royal power, creative force, and divine wrath used to maintain order against chaos. More broadly, eyes represented awareness, balance, and completeness, ensuring vitality in life and proper existence in the afterlife. As a result, eye imagery was commonly used on amulets, jewellery, coffins, and monuments to safeguard both the living and the dead.
To find out more about Ancient Egyptian amulets, please see our relevant blog post: Egyptian Amulets and their Meanings
