The eye of Horus is also known as Wedjat or Oudjat. In ancient Egyptian mythology, Horus was one of five offspring of the original pair of Egyptian gods, Ra and Rhea. Horus’ siblings were Osiris, Set, Isis, and Nephthys.

Osiris succeeded Ra as king of Egypt and married Isis, his sister. Their brother, Set, slew Osiris, who descended to preside over the land of the dead. The widow, Isis, called upon her brother, Horus, to destroy Set, which he did after many battles. Eventually, Osiris was resurrected.

Udjat

The udjat is depicted as a human eye and eyebrow as they would be seen looking at a person full-faced. The eye is decorated with the markings that adorn the eyes of hawks. Usually, it is the right eye shown as the udjat, although the left is not uncommon. This is probably because of another myth that says that the sun and the moon were the right (sun) and left (moon) eyes of the sky god and the sun is seen as more powerful.

Eye of Horus Symbol

The Eye of Horus symbol was used in funerary rites and decoration, as instructed in the Egyptian Book of the Dead. Hence, the sacred eye could also function as a symbol of offerings.

Frequently in the art of the later New Kingdom, a personified eye presents incense or other offerings as the deceased as he kneels before the throne of Osiris. As sacred solar animals, baboons are also frequently shown presenting Wadjet eyes to the rising sun.

After 1200 BC, it was also used by the Egyptians to represent fractions, based on repeated division by two. The value of a fraction was assigned to each individual part of the eye which Seth had torn up according to the myth. Their total, corresponding to the restoration of the eye brought about by Thot, should have added up to a whole.

In fact, however, the total of the six fractions used results in only 63/64; it was assumed that Thot had withheld the missing 1/64 by magic. The Eye of Horus fraction system was based on the Eye of Horus symbol. This system was used to record prescriptions, land, and grain.

Magic of “Eye of Horus”

In magic, the Eye of Horus symbolises protection and the bringing of wisdom. The eye also symbolizes our ability to see with clarity and truthfulness. The Eye of Horus was believed to have healing and protective power, and it was used as a protective amulet.

At some point, the right eye of Horus, with its solar symbolism, was naturally associated with Re and became the Eye of Re (Ra). Re was said to be the “father of the gods,” for he was their head and king, as well as the father of humanity, and, according to some ancient myths, all living creatures that were believed to grow from his sweat or tears.