If you’ve ever visited a metaphysical shop or watched a movie about Ancient Egypt, you’ve no doubt seen an Eye of Horus. This symbol has mystified people for centuries.
The Eye of Horus was a favorite symbol used by Ancient Egyptians as both decoration and talisman. It was often worn on jewelry, for example. In modern times, the Eye of Horus has become a popular mystical tattoo.
Yet if you don’t understand the true meaning of the Eye of Horus tattoo and it’s connotations, you may not fully appreciate the power of this symbol.
Controversy Surrounding Using Sacred Symbols in Tattoos
Tattoos have become so popular that a trend of inking the body with powerful symbols from cultures around the world has become the norm. But before you commit to getting an Eye of Horus tattoo, you should know what you’re doing.
There is some controversy surrounding the use of sacred images and esoteric symbols for tattoos or even jewelry. On the one hand, powerful esoteric symbols of any kind should be studied carefully. Symbols can have deep meaning and if you don’t take the time to learn the deeper significance, you may be aligning yourself with energy you didn’t intend to attract.
On the other hand, there is some justifiable frustration with those who are quick to get a tattoo because it looks cool, with no regard for its meaning and roots. If you see someone with an Eye of Horus tattoo, they may have taken the time to study Egyptian culture and magick. They may be connected to this history and lineage. They may be a student of the occult. Or they may just be someone who thought the image appealed to them.
Ideally, you want to be the person who shows reverence and respect for sacred symbols, especially before committing to a permanent tattoo. Always show respect for a culture especially if you are adopting their symbols and practices.
The Eye of Horus Tattoo Meaning
The Eye of Horus is a depiction of a left eye with an ornate brow surrounding it. It is a sign of magick and power. In Ancient Egypt, the Eye of Horus was known as the “All seeing eye.”
Also called Wadjet, or “Whole one,” the Eye of Horus shows the power of having a protective, watchful eye always looking over you. Not just any eye, the powerful eye of the God Horus.
Horus is the son of Isis, one of the most powerful Goddesses. Horus is seen as the God of the Sky, with one eye corresponding to the Sun and one to the Moon.
The Eye of Horus is a reminder of the ubiquitous and powerful nature of this deity. Just as Horus can see all creation, the Eye of Horus can see through any boundaries.
According to some myths, Horus lost an eye to the God Set. His eye was then healed and restored by the Wise Lunar God, Thoth. Thus the Eye of Horus is associated with restoration and wholeness.
It is also a protective talisman, aligning you with the energies of the God Horus and with Thoth. The Eye of Horus is considered healing as well. For this reason, it is also used as a means of measurement, especially for medicines.
Sacred Mathematics and the Eye of Horus Tattoo
The Eye of Horus can be used to depict symbolic fractions, specifically, each portion of the symbol is broken down and associated with symbolic ingredients.
The proportions are said to be ½ smell, ¼ sight, 1/8 thought, 1/16 hearing, 1/32 taste and 1/64 touch. Each fraction is associated with a segment of the image, all together it represents the whole.
If someone has an Eye of Horus tattoo, perhaps they have studied this detail of the sacred mathematics that symbolize wholeness and integrity and want to be reminded of these healing properties.
It could also be that they are familiar with the God Horus and want to show reverence to this deity and align with his energies.
Eye of Horus or Eye of Ra? How to know the difference
The left side of the body is associated with magick, receiving, healing and Goddess energy yet also with the Eye of Horus. This is potentially because it is the left eye that was lost and repaired by Thoth, a Lunar Deity (the Moon also being associated with the left).
Thus if someone has an Eye of Horus tattoo, it is distinguished from the Eye of Ra because it depicts a left eye. The Eye of Ra is associated with the Sun God Ra. Some see Ra as connected to Horus or an aspect of Horus.
Yet the protective, healing Eye of Horus specifically pertains to the symbol of the left eye.
Cultural Significance of the Eye of Horus Tattoo
It is said that Ancient Egyptians used the Eye of Horus as a protective symbol and even featured it on ships to ensure safety. This symbol grants powerful protection and healing.
Therefore when someone has a tattoo of the Eye of Horus, they aren’t only aligning with the symbol’s energy but also with the culture from which the symbol originated. It is important to recognize the meaning of the symbol as important. Yet it is also crucial to keep in mind that a symbol has inherent value to the culture from which it originated.
Though it may have come to be associated with the occult and magick, this symbol was prevalent in Ancient Egypt and was used for everything from healing to protection to measurement and mathematics.
Though there are many nuances people may be attracted to in this or any symbol, it’s important to consider what any symbol means to the individual wearing it. The specific individual may be drawn to the symbol because of a particular myth or to align with the Deities Horus and Thoth, for example.
Spiritual Significance of the Eye of Horus Tattoo
Some people use the Eye of Horus in their magickal workings. Again this symbol brings protection and can grant added courage and power to face deeper transformative or “Shadow” work.
Horus is associated with sacrifice and rebirth as well, so magickal workings dealing with self awareness, rebirth, loss and self-sacrifice can involve this symbol. Therefore an Eye of Horus symbol displayed as a tattoo can express an individual’s path to rebirth or initiation.
As a hieroglyph, the Eye of Horus translates as “one who does.” This as a tattoo can symbolize a dedication to follow through and act on your words and ideals.
Conclusion
Whether you are planning a journey or view life as your journey, you can look at the Eye of Horus as a symbol of safe travel by ship or healing and wholeness. An Eye of Horus tattoo can express the energy of the protection and magick associated with the God Horus and the magick and healing associated with Thoth.
Both protective and all seeing, this symbol is a reminder that you are protected and that healing involves combining the individual segments in order to create wholeness.
Angela Kaufman is a Certified Intuitive Consultant, Psychic Medium, Intuitive Empowerment, Life Coach and an LCSW. She is an amazon published author and was Featured on several shows like Discovery Channel’s A Haunting, Echoes from the Past (2007) 14 Degrees: A Paranormal Documentary, Tune In to Wellness Today with LisaMarie Tersigni, and Empowering Entrepreneurs with Melissa Carter as well as numerous radio interviews. She is the author of Queen Up! Reclaim Your Crown When Life Knocks You Down - Unleash the Power of Your Inner Tarot Queen and also co-authored three books on metaphysical spirituality (Sacred Objects, Sacred Space; Everyday Tools for the Modern Day Witch | Wicca What's the Real Deal? Breaking Through the Misconceptions | The Esoteric Dream Book; Mastering the Magickal Symbolism of the Subconscious Mind). Angela regularly conducts workshops, the Inner Queen coaching program and loves writing articles, that blend social criticism with spirituality.