Eye of Horus Vs Eye of Ra : Differences and Similarities
Eye of Horus vs Eye of Ra: Differences and Similarities
The Eye of Horus and the Eye of Ra are two ancient and mysterious symbols. We often confuse the eye of Ra with the eye of Horus.
But what are the differences and the similarities between these Eyes ?
We'll explore them in this article and explain the myths behind these two powerful symbols.
Express resume
- In Egyptian Mythology, the right eye represents Ra's eye, and the left eye symbolizes the eye of Horus.
- Ra is the Sun god, and his power seems to be the main inspiration for the monotheistic almighty gods like Yaweh or Allah…The Eye of Sun god Ra has often been associated with “negative” emotions such as anger, violence, and destruction.
- Horus is the Moon God and is more considered as a guardian angel. He has a more positive connotation : he’s responsible for divine interventions and symbols of divine protections. The Eye of Horus is said to restore balance, heal, and bring peace.
=> [Learn here more about the Eye of Horus].
- The main similarity between both eyes is that they are creative forces in Egypt. Horus and RA are depicted like a human with bird of prey heads.
Difference between Eye of Ra and Eye of Horus
In the Old Kingdom of Egypt, Horus was associated with both the right-eye and the left-eye.
The right eye became later exclusively associated with Ra, the sun god. The Eye of Ra was worshiped to invoke creative energy and bring about new ideas and visions. He has a strong creative energy which may be used to solve problems, create new things, and symbolize hidden mysteries.
The left eye, which has a tail to the right, represents the eye of Horus, the moon. The right eye, with a tail to the left, is the eye of Ra, the Sun.
The Eye of Horus was associated with Mut, an ancient goddess, who was seen as a symbol of protection,authority, justice and natural order.
The Ra’s eye, also named “daughter of ra” symbolized other strong and aggressive goddesses like Tefnut, Bast, Sekhmet, or Nekhbet.
Ra's eye can see everything thanks to his unlimited vision powers. Horus's eye is more linked with the power of protect the overall physical integrity.
Here is a table to summarize their differences.
|
Eye of Horus |
Eye of Ra |
|
|
Symbolism |
Represents the power of the moon: shine in the night, show the way in the dark. Resurrection, protection and healing. or resurrect the dead. |
Represents the power of the sun : bright, hot, and unique. Symbol for protection and royal authority on the crowns of pharaohs. |
|
Appearance |
Human eye with a line and a spiral on the lower eyelid, representing the markings of the falcon's eye and tear. |
Falcon's eye with a sun disk and a cobra on top, which is the representation of the sun god and his protective cobra. |
|
Mythology |
Associated with the god Horus, son of Osiris and Isis. God of the sky, a war god, and a protector. Left eye of Horus injured during battle with his uncle Seth. Healed by the wisdom god Thoth, and became a symbol of protection and healing. |
Associated with the god Ra, sun god, all-knowing deity and creator of the universe. Separate entity sent out by Ra to destroy his enemies. Rebelled sometimes against Ra, who had to bring it back into submission. Travel with Ra, or watch over him when he sailed across the sky during the day, become at night the fierce goddess Hathor, protector of the pharaoh. |
|
Function |
Often worn as an amulet to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck. Used as a symbol of the phases of the moon. Associated with the goddesses Wadjet and Nekhbet, respective protectors of Upper and Lower Egypt. |
Used as a symbol of royal authority and protection, and often depicted on the crowns of pharaohs. It has the power to destroy the enemies of Ra and the pharaoh. |
Similarities between Eye of Ra and Eye of Horus
The Eye of Ra and the Eye of Horus are both important symbols in Ancient Egyptian culture and mythology and also share some similarities.
For the Ancient Egyptians, they both possess an image of strength, power, and protection from evil forces.
Both eyes are associated with Hathor, the “Goddess of Joy”, who has been present in Ancient Egypt since the dawn of time.
The eyes both brought energy, whether it was for creative purposes or justice and order. Although both eyes are associated with different gods and goddesses, they each have the purpose to protecting people from harm and danger.
|
Eye of Horus |
|
|
Mythological Association |
Both are associated with major gods in the Egyptian pantheon. |
|
Protective Powers |
Both are believed to have protective powers. |
|
Appearance |
Both are stylized depictions of eyes that feature markings that symbolize their respective mythological associations. |
|
Usage |
Both were used in Egyptian religious and funerary practice and to get protected. |
Myths of Eye of Horus and eye of RA
The Eye of Ra
The Eye of Ra is one of those solar symbols with a strong power and various purposes.
Origin and Mythology
The uraeus
Since the Eye of Ra is based on a myth, it is very different than you would expect.
Ra wanted to find his parents, so he sent his eye to find them.
So, a new Ra’s eye was born to replace it. Ra became very upset that the first eye was replaced.
Then, Ra piqued the first eye and turned it into uraeus (the snake that you can see on the pharaoh's crown). He put it over his eyes, on his forehead.
Bastet, the cat goddess, is another representation of the Eye of Ra. Bastet protects him against the snake divinity named Apep.
The Boat of Ra
Some egyptians believe that Ra was sailing in his boat in the sky and going to the underworld at night.
In ancient Egypt, Ra was revered as the god of the sun and the embodiment of life itself. According to mythology, Ra sailed his boat across the sky during the day, and at night, he journeyed through the underworld, where he battled the forces of darkness to be reborn with the rising sun.
This story was more than just a myth to the ancient Egyptians, who believed that it symbolized the cycle of life, death, and rebirth that was central to their understanding of the afterlife. For them, Ra's journey was a powerful metaphor for the journey that every soul must undertake in order to achieve eternal life.
The importance of this myth was reflected in the fact that the pharaohs, who were believed to be earthly embodiments of Ra, were expected to join him on his journey through the underworld after they died. This was seen as the key to securing their own rebirth and eternal life, and it was a central part of their beliefs about the afterlife.
It is a testament to the enduring power of mythology and the human desire to understand the mysteries of life, death, and the afterlife.
The human RaRa, in his human form, became weak and old. Because of his vulnerability, Egyptian folks started ignoring him and his advice.
Therefore, RA sent his lion Eye, who acted like his mother, sibling, consort, and daughter, to punish humans. Consequently, this eye began destroying humanity. Other gods were afraid that the eye would kill everyone.
To solve this problem, Ra made his eye drunk by drinking red beer and passed out. That was only in that way that the Eye of Ra could came back to him.
Why do Ancient Egyptians Wore Ra's Amulets ?
There were numerous amulets with the eye of Ra in ancient Egypt. This idea is to move away negative energies and bring harmony back into your life. Amulets were used by the people and the Pharaohs to protect themselves, and keep enemies away for as long as possible. It is said that while this energy may be attractive, you should be careful. Sometimes, it can become violent and out of control.
The Eye Of Horus
Horus, the sky god, is one of the original and earliest Egyptian gods. In hieroglyphics, Horus is usually depicted as a falcon or a man with a bird-head. He’s frequently associated with protection and resurrection.
Horus's father is the divine King, Osiris. His mum is the mother goddess Isis.
Mythology
The legend tells us that Set (or Seth), the brother of Osiris, was jealous of his fertile kingdom. Some variants of the myth tell that he was jealous because of the adultery relationship between Osiris and his wife, Nephtys.
Anyway, Set kills him to steal the power and take command of the throne. This led to a series of battles between Horus and his uncle. During those battles, Set lost his testicles, and Horus lost his left eye.
Set grabbed Horus's eye and cut it into six pieces. Thoth, the deity of knowledge and wisdom, searched for the fragments of the eye.He found only five pieces,so he replaced the last fraction with a divine particle. The six pieces combined together become the legendary Wedjat eye (also called Udjat and Wadjet). This eye allows Horus to see beyond reality.
Why do Ancient Egyptians Wore Eye of Horus amulets ?
In ancient Egyptian religion, the eye of Horus were worn as a talisman to provide protection physically and spiritually. It also symbolizes for the Pharaoh the protective and Royal authority. Egyptians considered it as a good-luck charm. (Source: egyptian-history.com)
See Also: