Are you looking for an inspirational tattoo with a deeper and more significant meaning? Then discover these Eye of Horus tattoo ideas!
Are you ready to get inked? If so, you’re probably looking for a tattoo that will look great, but that will also have a deeper and more symbolic meaning.
Whether you’re interested in the Ancient Egyptian civilization, or whether you’re just keen to choose something a little different and unusual for your tattoo, an Eye of Horus tattoo could be just what you’re looking for.
There are lots of ways to incorporate an Eye of Horus tattoo design into your chosen look, so whether you need a symbol to include as part of a bigger back piece or sleeve, or something small to adorn your ankle or wrist, check out these inspirational Eye of Horus tattoo ideas that are sure to impress.
The History of The Eye Of Horus
The ancient Egyptians believed that spells could be cast through the power of the eyes with just a glance.
As well as believing in the evil eye and its powerful effects, they also believed that this evil could be overcome by the good eye.
Those beliefs were the basis of the myths surrounding Horus that were embraced by Egyptians.
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The Eye of Horus symbol is one of the most famous and widely recognized Egyptian symbols. Associated with royal power, protection and good health, it was used alongside another similar symbol – the Eye of Ra – in Egyptian hieroglyphics.
Although some people think that the two symbols are interchangeable, they aren’t. In fact, the two symbols are distinctly different and are based on two completely different legends about two completely different gods.
The Eye of Ra belonged to Ra, the sun god. The legend surrounding this eye was one of violence, hate, destruction and fury. Meanwhile, the Eye of Horus belonged to Horus, and its legend is one of regeneration and healing.
Horus was a powerful god linked with the heavens. As a son of Osiris, the lord of the underworld, and Isis, his sister’s wife who was the goddess of magic and life, he was raised by his mother when his father was killed by the god of fire, Seth.
Once Horus reached manhood, he went out to take revenge against his father’s murderer, fighting several battles to inherit the underworld’s throne.
During one of these battles, Horus’s right (or left, depending on the version of the legend) eye was lost and torn up by Seth into six pieces.
Eventually, Horus was triumphant and his eye was restored by Thoth, the Egyptian mood god. The restored eye was called Wadjet, meaning whole or healthy.
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The restored Eye of Horus was believed to hold healing powers, and so the people of ancient Egypt began to make amulets of the Eye with materials such as lapis lazuli, carnelian and gold.
The symbol contains six parts, each one of which represents one of the six pieces broken from Horus’ damaged eye. Interestingly, in ancient Egyptian measurements, the Eye was representative of how the parts of a whole were measured but in total, those parts add to 63/64 – symbolizing that nothing can be truly perfect.
Also, each one of the parts is linked with a different sense. The stalk represents touch, the tail represents taste, the right side represents sell and the left side represents hearing. The eyebrow represents thought while the pupil represents sight.
Why Get An Eye of Horus Tattoo?
If you’re considering getting an Egyptian themed tattoo, you’ll want to know the eye of Horus tattoo meaning.
Whether you’re choosing to incorporate the Eye of Horus symbol into a larger themed tattoo or whether you’d like to choose it to be depicted on its own as a standalone piece of body art, you’ll need to be able to answer any questions that others may ask about your Egyptian eye tattoo meaning.
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For many people who choose this type of tattoo, the appeal simply lies in its beauty and dramatic appeal, while for others, it perfectly reflects their interest in ancient Egyptian mythology, legend, and culture.
However, there are plenty of other tattoo lovers who choose an Eye of Horus to be part of their tattoo because of its symbolic meaning that dates back for centuries.
In today’s society, the Eye of Horus is seen as a symbol representing health, protection, royalty, and sovereignty.
It is still believed to offer some level of protection over the wearer, with the ability to deflect the evil eye, should it be cast upon them.
Since there are many different meanings and interpretations of this ancient symbol, people choose to get this type of tattoo for many purposes. Some popular reasons include:
- It may serve as a lasting reminder of the fire inside each of us
- It increases the wearer’s affinity for the falcon and serpent
- It may signify a cycle or transition in the wearer’s life
- It could be a protective symbol
- It’s a symbol linked to knowledge and learning and could represent an unsatisfied hunger for knowledge
- It represents the all-seeing eye and may therefore be a symbol to signify seeing things from a different perspective
- It may be chosen because the wearer has Egyptian roots or feels an affinity with Egyptian culture and traditions
- Some people have their own interpretation of the Eye of Horus symbol and may adapt the version that they have inked on their body to meet their own needs.
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How To Care For Your Tattoo
Once you’ve had your Eye of Horus tattoo, you’ll need to know how to properly care for it. Your tattoo will be covered when you leave the tattoo studio, but you should remove that covering after the first 24 hours.
Gently wash your new tattoo using an antimicrobial soap then pat gently dry. Apply antibacterial ointment a couple of times a day and wash the area a few days daily with soap and water, making sure to pat dry gently each time.
Repeat for around 4 weeks and avoid wearing any clothing that could stick to the tattoo. Don’t sunbathe or swim for a couple of weeks and avoid very hot water as this could fade the color.
It’s normal for a new tattoo to scab but don’t peel. Scratch or pick it. If your tattoo becomes infected, see your physician.
