Eye of Horus Protective Amulet

The Eye of Horus symbol, a stylized eye with distinctive markings, was believed to have protective magical power and appeared frequently in ancient Egyptian art. It was one of the most common motifs for amulets, remaining in use from the Old Kingdom (c. 2686–2181 BC) to the Roman period (30 BC – 641 AD). Other contexts where the symbol appeared include on carved stone stelae and on the bows of boats. To some extent the symbol was adopted by the people of regions neighboring Egypt, such as Syria, Canaan, and especially Nubia. The eye symbol was also rendered as a hieroglyph (𓂀). Egyptologists have long believed that hieroglyphs representing pieces of the symbol stand for fractions in ancient Egyptian mathematics. The eye first symbolizes the evil repelled, but it also represents health and physical integrity, the unity of beings in a single entity, knowledge and total vision. In Egypt, it is found in many medallions, and they are destined to bring good luck to their owner. Some explorers of ancient Egypt believed that they were able to have a better view of the seas and thus better reflect their course by wearing a pendant representing the eye of horus. It was believed that the Eye of Horus Amulet had healing and protective powers. It was used for the living especially as protection against disease and for the dead to prevent the disintegration of the embalmed body. Despite the uncertainties surrounding the origin and meaning of this sacred symbol, its use in Egyptian iconography is extensive and relatively clear. The eye was, above all, a protective mechanism, which is evident in the numerous updates represented on amulets, jewels, protective plates placed over the incision made during the embalming of the mummies. This protective aspect is probably part of the meaning of the two eyes that were usually painted on the left side of the sarcophagi during the First Intermediate Period and the Middle Kingdom. Although the mummies were turned to the left side, suggesting that they could serve as windows to the outside world for the deceased, they undoubtedly had a protective function. In this same sense, the eyes of Horus painted on the bows of the ships had the same purpose of protection and guidance. The popularity of the “Eye of Horus ” as a protective symbol continued far beyond the era of ancient Egyptian civilizations. Today, many people use this symbol on their jewelry to protect themselves from the evil will of others. It is also a favorite subject in many paintings, posters, and other graphic works. Fishermen and sailors from Mediterranean countries paint the “Eye of Horus” on their boats to protect themselves. Providence depicted on dollar bills, which actually originated in Christian iconography. Some occultists, such as Telemites, often depict the Eye of Horus in a triangle and interpret it as a symbol of elemental fire. In modern society, the belief in the Eye of Horus as a symbol of protection, health, sovereignty, and royalty is primarily confirmed by its popularity in jewelry design. Many people around the world are fascinated by the legends about the symbol of the Eye of Horus, wearing it with the same firm belief in the protection it offers. During the New Empire, the sacred eye was depicted abundantly, behind images of kings and gods as an emblem of protective force. It is also found in these scenes flanked by the Garaonic goddess Nekhbet. Because of its mythological origins, the eye of Horus could also act as a symbol of the offering. Thus, the restored eye that was presented by Horus to his father Osiris became archetypical of the act of offering and its extension of the offering itself. Today, the eye of Horus has become a popular tattoo that rescues the ancient beliefs about its protective powers but also has become widely associated with this symbol with the third eye because its shape resembles the pineal gland. The eye of Horus was also used as an offering from the eldest son to his dead father as a symbol of reverence for the parents. Ancient Egyptians are well-known for pioneering the fields of art, medicine, and the documentation of discoveries as mythological tales. The Egyptians mastered the integration of anatomy and mythology into artistic symbols and figures. This symbol has an astonishing connection between neuroanatomical structure and function. Artistically, the Eye is comprised of six different parts. From the mythological standpoint, each part of the Eye is considered to be an individual symbol. Additionally, parts of the Eye represent terms in the series 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, and 1/32; when this image is superimposed upon a sagittal image of the human brain, it appears that each part corresponds to the anatomic location of a particular human sensorium. In this manuscript, we highlight the possible scientific speculation of the ingenuity of ancient Egyptians’ remarkable insight into human anatomy and physiology. This figure shows the different parts of the Eye of Horus fitting the anatomical structures that carry special brain function depicted by the Heqat fractions. Refer to the image as it shows the different parts of the Eye of Horus fitting the anatomical structures that carry special brain function depicted by the Heqat fractions. Although we recognize the liabilities of overinterpreting a symbolic masterpiece like the Eye of Horus, we propose that the anatomical metaphors in the Eye of Horus are not by coincidence and merit discussion. The ancient Egyptians were leaders in medicine and anatomy. This can be found in documented papyrus, as well as the walls of many temples and tombs. In the creation of Eye of Horus, ancient Egyptians combined their artistic abilities and knowledge of anatomy with their deep belief in mythology. More importantly, we argue that there is a clear influence of their interpretation of human senses on the size and shape of the Eye. This is an amazing feat considering the unavailability of radiographic and computational technology in that era. The significance of our theory of the Eye of Horus is not to be used as an anatomical gold standard but rather to acknowledge and appreciate the genius and foresight of an ancient civilization in decoding the intricate functions of the human central nervous system.