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One of the most ubiquitous and well-known symbols from ancient Egypt, the Eye of Horus was a sacred and powerful symbol that was everywhere, from artwork to jewelry to clothes and hieroglyphics.
Even today, the Eye of Horus is often used in jewelry, clothes, and artwork. Its intriguing design is eye-catching (no pun intended) and mysterious.
But what exactly does the symbol stand for and who was Horus?
Let’s delve deeper into the Eye of Horus symbol, what it is and if you should wear it today.
History of Eye of Horus
Also known as Wadjet, the Eye of Horus was a symbol of Horus, the Egyptian sky god. It shouldn’t be confused with the Eye of Ra (an ancient Egyptian goddess), which is similar but slightly different.
The origins of the Eye of Horus are dramatic and somewhat bloody. The story goes that Osiris, king of Egypt, was killed by his brother Set who wanted to become king.
However, unbeknownst to him, Osiris’ wife magically brought him back to life and then became pregnant with Horus. When he grew up, Horus avenged his father’s death, killing his uncle Set but losing one of his eyes in the process.
One variation says that Horus ripped his own eye out so that his father would be brought back to life. In any case, the important part is that Horus’ eye was restored via magic.
From this came the belief in a benevolent eye.
Meaning of Eye of Horus
Humans have always been intrigued by the eyes. Eyes have always symbolized insight, wisdom, and power. No wonder ancient civilizations were so obsessed with this symbol!
The origin story of the Eye of Horus has its roots in sacrifice, rejuvenation, healing, and protection. As such, the symbol was believed to be all-powerful, with the ability to ward off evil.
You might have heard of another eye symbol, called the Nazar Boncugu, which originated in Turkey. This is one of the most famous symbols and you’ll see it everywhere in most parts of the world.
But did you know that this symbol can be traced back to ancient Egypt 3000 years ago, to the Eye of Horus?
So while the concept of a benevolent eye is prevalent in many cultures, the Eye of Horus is often attributed as being the source from which these beliefs sprang.
How to Use the Eye of Horus
The Eye of Horus is still very much alive and used in a number of different ways. Here are some:
- Sailors often paint the Eye of Horus onto their boats to help them have blue skies and calm seas when sailing
- People sometimes wear the Eye of Horus as an amulet to protect them from harm
- Eye of Horus jewelry can be worn either just for fashion or for protection (if you’re superstitious)
- You can have a wall hanging or print of the Eye of Horus in your house for protection
- Some people hang an Eye of Horus symbol in their cars to keep them safe
How to Buy Eye of Horus Jewelry
Whether you’re superstitious or not, you can’t deny that the Eye of Horus symbol is intriguing and mysterious, looking very beautiful when crafted into high-quality jewelry.
The free-flowing lines and swirls of the design make it a fashion symbol as much as a symbol of protection.
The most popular type of Eye of Horus jewelry is pendants, but you’ll also find earrings, charms, and rings.
Eye of Horus pendants come in a range of styles, either minimalist in design or featuring gemstones and diamonds. If a gemstone is used for the pupil, the eye becomes more prominent and very striking.
Because of its flowy and versatile design, the Eye of Horus can easily be made into very stylish rings. They make for excellent unisex rings and come in a variety of sizes and styles.
Eye of Horus is beautiful in earring designs, whether as studs or dangles. Pick a pair of small studs if you don’t want a lot of attention. Large dangles are sure to be a talking point!
Should I Wear Eye of Horus Jewelry?
You might be wondering whether the Eye of Horus is a symbol that you should wear, especially if you are religious. Because of its roots in ancient Egyptian mythology, it can be seen as paying homage to pagan gods.
Many would argue that the meaning of the Eye transcends religions. It’s a philosophical symbol that has a lot of positive aspects to it.
There’s some misconception that the Eye of Horus is an evil symbol, but this couldn’t be further from the truth! The symbol isn’t evil, instead, it wards off evil. It protects you from evil, but it isn’t representative of evil itself.
Read more about the Evil Eye in our article on the Nazar if you want to know more about it.
Do you have to believe in the Eye’s healing and protective powers to wear it?
Definitely not!
But if you don’t feel comfortable about it, you don’t have to wear it. Either ask someone for advice about wearing symbols like this or just find something else. There are a lot of other beautiful and meaningful symbols out there.
Personally, we love the Eye of Horus because of how graceful and stylish it looks and the fact that it’s an ancient symbol with a long unbroken history just adds to the romance of the symbol, making it more impressive.
Where to Buy Eye of Horus Jewelry
The Eye of Horus is not a mainstream jewelry symbol, unlike the Nazar Boncugu. It’s best to search online for your perfect jewelry bearing this symbol. Amazon and Etsy are two of the best places to begin your search. You can easily compare prices, quality, materials, craftsmanship, and designs across vendors and choose the best option for you.
Here’s why we recommend these two platforms:
Etsy
Browse through Etsy’s collection of modern and vintage Eye of Horus jewelry for unique and artisan designs. Etsy is a platform that features multiple independent stores which gives you a lot of options to choose from.
Amazon
Amazon brings together different jewelry vendors on the same platform. There’s a wide range of Eye of Horus jewelry designs on Amazon, at a range of prices, so there’s bound to be something for everyone.
