The Eye of Horus
Published On: 11-14-2011 08:39pm
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Category: Egypt
Along with the Ankh and scarabs, the Wedjat Eye is one of the most widely recognized Ancient Egyptian symbols. It is an emblem of protection, good health, and the power of sight, or wisdom.
Originally, the eye was used to represent the goddess Wadjet, or The Green One. She was the protector of Lower Egypt, and was often depicted as the cobra uraeus, which can be seen on the crown of Lower Egypt, and worn by Horus in the form of a sun disc. Wadjet was also associated with the green papyrus plant, and was the protector of the land, the Pharaoh, and women in childbirth.
Her symbol later passed on to be associated with other Egyptian dieties like Ra, the sun god, and Hathor, the goddess of joy and motherhood, before finally becoming the that we know of today.
Horus, or Harsiesis, is one of the oldest gods in the Egyptian pantheon, and over the years took on many different roles in both myth and everyday religion. The most common version of Horus is the falcon-headed god of the sky and war, and the protector of Upper Egypt.
Son of Osiris and Isis, Horus battled with the evil storm god Set many times for the right to rule over Egypt. These stories are excellent examples of early myth and fables. In one tale, Set and Horus are brought before a divine tribunal, to claim the right to protect the sun god Ra. Both Isis and Osiris come to the aid of Horus, and convince the gods to award him the throne of Egypt.
The shape of the Wedjat eye is meant to represent the unique scythe-like markings over the eye of the lanner falcon. Other myths attribute the pattern to scars from an injury that Horus received while fighting with Set, which was later healed by his mother, Isis.
Which Egyptian symbol is your favorite?
-Mortira
Copyright 2011 The Sage's Cupboard ---- Follow This Blog
Find me on: Facebook and Twitter
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Originally, the eye was used to represent the goddess Wadjet, or The Green One. She was the protector of Lower Egypt, and was often depicted as the cobra uraeus, which can be seen on the crown of Lower Egypt, and worn by Horus in the form of a sun disc. Wadjet was also associated with the green papyrus plant, and was the protector of the land, the Pharaoh, and women in childbirth.
Her symbol later passed on to be associated with other Egyptian dieties like Ra, the sun god, and Hathor, the goddess of joy and motherhood, before finally becoming the that we know of today.
Horus, or Harsiesis, is one of the oldest gods in the Egyptian pantheon, and over the years took on many different roles in both myth and everyday religion. The most common version of Horus is the falcon-headed god of the sky and war, and the protector of Upper Egypt.
Son of Osiris and Isis, Horus battled with the evil storm god Set many times for the right to rule over Egypt. These stories are excellent examples of early myth and fables. In one tale, Set and Horus are brought before a divine tribunal, to claim the right to protect the sun god Ra. Both Isis and Osiris come to the aid of Horus, and convince the gods to award him the throne of Egypt.
The shape of the Wedjat eye is meant to represent the unique scythe-like markings over the eye of the lanner falcon. Other myths attribute the pattern to scars from an injury that Horus received while fighting with Set, which was later healed by his mother, Isis.
Which Egyptian symbol is your favorite?
-Mortira
Copyright 2011 The Sage's Cupboard ---- Follow This Blog
Find me on: Facebook and Twitter
Like Handmade? Join ArtFire to get your own store and built-in blog!
