Quadruple Eye of Horus Amulet
source: Wikimedia Commons
author: LACMA
Description
A photograph shows a blue-tinted amulet with four images of the Eye of Horus, mirrored horizontally and vertically. The blue color has worn away to a grey-brown toward the center of the amulet.
Date
Artifact: 724–31 BC
Photo: 2013
Information
This ancient Egyptian amulet bears four depictions of the Eye of Horus. Within ancient Egyptian mythology, the god Horus lost his eye to an attack from Seth, an evil deity. However, Horus’ mother, Isis, restored his eye. As such, the eye of Horus served as a symbol of healing and protection in ancient Egypt. Physicians would use amulets of the eye in rituals, and both the living and the dead would wear them for protection.
There is an argument that the Eye of Horus is the origin of the Rx prescription symbol, as they bear similarities and are both used in healthcare contexts. This is mostly speculation, as detailed in the linked article.
Related Articles
Ancient Egyptian Medicine | Rx, Prescription Symbol Origin
[raw_html_snippet id=”bib”]
Zebroski, B. (2016). A brief history of pharmacy: Humanity’s search for wellness. New York: Routledge.
Enderle, J. D. (2011). Introduction to biomedical engineering. London: Academic Press.
[raw_html_snippet id=”endbib”]