What is the significance of the eye of ra

The Eye of Horus developed during the First Dynasty around BCE , and became associated with several different gods over time. By the time of the Pyramid Texts from the Old Kingdom, both existed as separate entities.

By the time of the Ptolemaic and Roman periods, the worship of the Eye of Ra and many of the deities she represented, was common practice in Egyptian rituals. The eye is still used to this day as a symbol for protection or defense, so it has stood the test of time well! The Eye of Ra was generally seen as a solar symbol or a Ra symbol. It represented the right eye of the sun god. Eyes in general were seen as symbols of sight and perception, but the idea that this eye had the power to see anything made it more powerful.

As mentioned earlier, this is one reason why the eyes were placed over the entrances to temples. In some myths, the Eye of Ra played a procreational role. The symbolism of Ra the sun emerging from the east and setting in the west is often seen as a metaphor for the beginning of new life. This is not unique to Ra though, many other sun gods have been viewed similarly throughout history with their eyes being symbols of fertility or birth like Horus.

When Ra was finally reunited with his children, his tears fell to the ground and became the first people, thus showing the link between the Eye of Ra and procreation. The Eye of Ra can be seen to have had two types of protective roles in Egyptian mythology. The eye was seen as both a protector, warding off the forces of chaos, and an aggressive force, seeking out enemies. We see this in the myth of Sekhmet when she, in the role of the eye, laid waste to humanity.

Thus we see the destructive nature of the Eye of Ra. There are many temples devoted specifically to worshiping or commemorating the eye, and there is a temple for Sekhmet located at Karnak which has been active since around the fifteenth century BCE. Because of these places that hold such significance, they have become popular tourist destinations.

The Temple of Hathor at Dendera, where she plays an important role as both Lady of Amentet and Mistress of Magic, attracts thousands every year who wish to see all aspects associated with her power. Thus you can still find people worshipping and celebrating the Eye today!

The Eye of Ra is often associated with the ankh, a symbol that was also seen to have many meanings. The most commonly known meaning would be life or immortality, but there are others such as power and eternal action.

This connection lies in the fact that they were both symbols of protection from forces of chaos while still being able to stand up against them when needed. Some scholars think that the solar disk surrounded by two cobras uraeus was the Egyptian symbol for the Eye of Ra. The Egyptians saw several goddesses as personifications of this symbol, including Bastet, Hathor, Mut, and Wadjet.

It was often associated with the destructive power of the sun, but the Egyptians also used it to protect buildings and themselves. The eye of Ra was a symbol of royal authority. The eye of Ra was painted on amulets. It had a protective power for the Egyptian pharaohs , perhaps as a kind of ancient weapon [ Read more about ancient Egyptian Wars ].

However, the two are quite distinct. The eye of Ra represents the right eye, and the eye of Horus the left eye. Ra is the sun god , his power is quite close to the almighty gods of the monotheistic religions. This is not the case with Horus, whose powers are limited and whose protection is mostly linked to physical integrity. A protective symbol. The difference is that the eye of Ra is drawn as a right eye, while the eye of Horus is drawn as the left eye of Horus.

The eye of Horus is a strong protective symbol , used for thousands of years by the Egyptians. It is associated with vision especially the power of vision between the afterlife and the world of the living , the protection of physical integrity and health. Worn as an amulet around the neck, it protects the wearer. It should be noted that the Eye of Horus symbol corresponds to the location of the Third Eye, represented by the sixth chakra. A thousand-year-old talisman used since antiquity, the eye of Horus has been able to cross the centuries to come and protect us.

Wear it as a jewel to benefit from its health protection. Displayed in a house, it will protect its integrity. It is a powerful symbol of protection. Explore Egypt in unmatched luxury, security, and comfort and enjoy a custom travel experience subsequently you never thought doable. We are a tour company in Egypt later than a decade of experience catering to the unique needs and expectations of foreign visitors to Egypt. The Evil Eye, also called the nazar boncugu , has Turkish origins.

First, these two eyes come from two different Egyptian deities. Second, while both symbolized protection, the Eye of Horus is much more benevolent and benign than the Eye of Ra, which often symbolized protection through violence and aggression against enemies. The Eye of Ra represents Ra, the sun god.

In fact, the Eye became its own symbol, representing a range of concepts, including fertility, femininity, protection, and violence. In ancient Egypt, the Eye of Ra was a representation of protection, power, and royal authority. Nowadays, it remains a protective symbol for many, keeping evil and danger at bay. Tags: Egyptian Symbols. Affiliate Disclosures. Is the Eye of Ra good luck? Is the Eye of Ra the same as the Evil Eye? What Does the Eye of Ra Tattoo symbolize?

Save Saved Removed 1. Related Articles. Added to wishlist Removed from wishlist 0. Added to wishlist Removed from wishlist 1. Enki — The Sumerian God of Wisdom.