The Eye of Horus is an ancient Egyptian motif that combines an elongated eye with lower markings. It is also known as the wedjat or udjat. To recognize it in a piece of jewelry, look first at those lines; then, at its context and meaning.
How to recognize the Eye of Horus in jewelry
Look for three features that appear in the gold specimen at the Met: the eye with its eyebrow, an extension below the pupil, and a diagonal stroke ending in a spiral. The museum explains that the drawing combines human and falcon features.
In the Cotigo pendant in the header image, the motif is cut out inside a circle. That frame is part of the jewelry design. To identify the symbol, look at the eye and its markings as a whole, even if the thickness of the lines or the size of the gaps varies.
Eye of Horus and Eye of Ra: the main difference
| Reference | What it represents |
|---|---|
| Horus / wedjat | The restored eye of Horus, linked in Egyptian religion to recovery and rebirth. |
| Ra / Re | The solar god and the deities who act as his eye. |
| Left or right | Orientation requires context: on its own, it does not identify every case. |
The Met explains that goddesses like Hathor were given the name "Eye of Re" as agents and counterparts to the solar god. That is why the Eye of Ra is not simply understood as a backward-drawn Horus.
Why looking at which way it faces is not enough
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina catalogs a right-sided udjat as an Eye of Horus. This object shows the limitation of the formula "left = Horus; right = Ra." When dealing with an ancient piece, consult its identification; when dealing with jewelry, compare the drawing with the description and consider whether you are looking at an inverted image or the reverse side.
What the wedjat means
Its name alludes to the eye that has regained its integrity. The account collected by the Met tells that Seth wounded or snatched the eye of Horus and that Thoth restored it. Hence its relationship with recovery and rebirth.
Ancient Egyptians used it as an amulet and attributed protection to it. Today, you may choose a piece of jewelry with this motif due to an interest in Egypt, for its design, or as a personal reference to starting over.
Its Egyptian origin and preserved amulets
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina places the appearance of these amulets at the end of the Old Kingdom and notes that they continued to be produced until the Roman period. They were used in life and in funerary contexts.
The objects at the Met allow us to see different ways of creating the motif: an amulet from Malqata, from the New Kingdom, is made of Egyptian faience, a quartz-based material with a glazed surface; the Ptolemaic specimen in the photograph is made of gold.
How to distinguish it from the Turkish evil eye
The most recognizable Turkish evil eye or nazar features concentric blue, white, and dark circles. The Horus has an elongated eye with lower markings: the structure is more useful than the color for distinguishing them.
The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism documents the Görece glass beads in relation to the belief in the evil eye. It is another tradition. To learn about its colors and uses, continue with the guide to the Turkish evil eye in jewelry.
What to check when choosing a pendant
The Cotigo Stainless Steel Eye of Horus Pendant shows the symbol cut out inside a circular frame. The gaps let clothing show through: a plain background helps to distinguish the eye and the spiral.
- Visibility of the drawing: observe the piece of jewelry at a normal distance, in addition to zooming in on the details of the photograph.
- Size and chain: check the measurements and what is included in the purchase. If you will use your own chain, check that the clasp passes through the pendant's bail.
- Material: the silver tone describes the color; this model is described as stainless steel.
- As a gift: consider whether that person is interested in Egypt or likes this drawing. That personal motif can accompany the gift.
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