EYE OF HORUS 

ARTIFACT

MADE OF CLAY

WEIGHT : 19.75 CTS APPROX

SIZE: 40X28X5 MM APPROX

Ancient Egyptians believed in the power of amulets and other charms to protect themselves from evil and to bring them good fortune. Evil forces were everywhere and special amulets and ceremonies were required to change one's fortune. One of these amulets is the Eye of Horus (Wadjet) and it is a very common image in pictures of tombs and sarcophagi. It is clearly an eye accompanied by a somewhat more stylized snake and royal beard.

There are two common explanations given for the origins of the symbol. One is that Horus was the son of the very ancient Egyptian King Osiris. Horus had a fight with his brother (some accounts say his uncle) over succession to the throne. Horus lost an eye during the fight but the gods stepped in because Horus was the rightful heir. For the rest of his life he was accompanied by the Snake-God Uraeus who covered his wound. Other accounts are a little less colorful and say that the eye is based on the eye of the falcon, an important creature to the Egyptians. Whatever the origin, the symbol is considered a potent charm to protect from evil and probably is the source for other eyes common in the Mid East and Turkey.

Today, the Eye of Horus is still a common symbol and it is worn or displayed to keep away the evil eye and to bring good luck.