Images of eyes have been used as protective charms and amulets by numerous cultures for thousands of years. Painted on ships and buildings, decorating homes and vehicles, and worn as jewelry which is still very popular today. Many are religious or local folk magic traditions which have gained notice and popularity worldwide. There's something comforting about the notion of being watched over by the all-seeing, vigilant eyes of a deity or guardian spirit. Forceful or serene, protective eyes imagery is something that has resonated with humans everywhere for a very long time.
Apotropaic eyes were painted on the prows of ancient Phoenician and Greek ships as a way to thwart evil spirits and avoid hazards in the water, by allowing the vessels to see the way ahead; they were very striking and impressive, even intimidating when they appeared on a warship. It's possible that the tradition of figureheads on ships evolved from these ships' eyes.
When painted on Tibetan style Buddhist stupas the peaceful, all-seeing Eyes of Buddha are usually placed on all four outer walls, gazing out upon all of Creation at once. The outer, physical eyes are depicted with a calm, meditative expression.
The circle or spiral between the eyebrows is called an urna. Symbolizing the inner or third eye it represents spiritual vision which sees beyond the mundane world of the flesh to perceive divine truth, and is said to be the thirty-first physical characteristic of Buddha.
The eye of Horus, or wedjat eye, is one of the most recognizable symbols of ancient Egypt. It was used as a powerful protection amulet for thousands of years, appearing in jewelry, wall paintings, carved stone monuments, and tombs in Egypt and surrounding regions. Jewelry and furniture adorned with the eye of Horus were placed in the tombs of pharaohs for their use in the afterlife.
It remains a very popular symbol in jewelry, clothing, and decor worldwide.
The hamsa is a protective amulet of ancient origin, used throughout the Middle East and North Africa. In Jewish tradition it's known as the hand of Miriam; in Islam, the hand of Fatima. The hamsa is a fascinating symbol that deserves a future diary of it's own.
Hamsa often include eye symbols on the palms. These are usually blue; the color blue is itself is considered protective in many cultures. The eyes are intended to ward off the evil eye, which is specifically mentioned in Jewish and Muslim texts.
The ojo de Dios or God's eye is a traditional art form of the indigenous Huichol people of Mexico, and can be seen all over western Mexico and the American southwest. They represent the all-seeing eye of the divine, and traditionally serve as a protection during shamanic journeys and prayer.
They are constructed of wood and yarn, and are very popular as souvenirs, home decor, and as craft projects for adults and children. These can be found in nearly any shop where Mexican arts and crafts are sold.
Milagros ("miracles") are another tradition common to Mexico and the American southwest. They're small charms made of stamped and engraved metal; most are tin though I have seen a few silver milagros. They often depict a specific part of the human body- an arm, leg, hand, foot, or eye- in need of healing or special protection. Milagros are carried or worn to invoke healing for an affliction, left as offerings at the shrines of saints, and used as components in the creation of artworks.
Eye milagros are used specifically to protect a person's vision. They and other milagros are part of Roman Catholicism and folk magic as practiced in Mexico and Latin America.
If you Google "evil eye" the first thing that shows up will be blue glass beads commonly called evil eyes. The name is misleading, as it implies that the beads themselves represent evil; they don't. They're a tradition that goes back at least to the Ottoman Empire and are intended to protect the wearer from evil. They are more properly called nazar, from an Arabic word meaning sight, attention, watching or surveillance.
Nazar jewelry and decorations have long been enormously popular in the Mediterranean and Middle East, where they originated, and can now be seen all over the United States and other western countries. Nazar are worn and displayed as protection from harm caused by envious glances of strangers or the spite and ill-wishes of enemies. If the nazar breaks it's said to be because it absorbed strongly negative energy that was directed at the wearer.
Traditional nazar are handmade glass in shades of blue, usually cobalt and sky or turquoise blue. More recently they're also available in other colors for specific purposes. The image appears on stickers, aircraft, and even an emoji.
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Thank you for reading. This is an open thread, all topics are welcome.