There is one part of the human body that has inspired countless myths, legends, and superstitions—the eye. Across continents, eye symbolism has been woven into traditions for millennia, and many of those symbols still pop up in daily life. In this roundup of 10 ways cultures around the world are obsessed with eyes, we’ll travel from ancient Egypt to modern Japan, uncovering the stories behind each eye‑centric belief.
10 The Evil Eye
Virtually every culture has its own spin on the evil eye. In Mexico it’s called “mal de ojo,” in Greece “mati,” and in Brazil “olho gordo.” The core idea stays the same: a jealous or envious stare can curse or harm the unsuspecting recipient. Scholars trace the concept back to ancient Greece or Rome, where eyes were thought to wield enough power to inflict damage with a single glance.
To fend off this menace, societies devised a host of protective charms. Brides often wear veils to shield themselves from envious looks. In ancient times newborn boys—highly prized—were given amulets studded with blue beads. In India, newborns’ eyes are lined with kajal, a charcoal‑based powder, to guard against the evil eye. No matter where you wander, you’ll encounter some form of this age‑old talisman.
9 The Eye of Horus
The Eye of Horus hails from ancient Egypt and remains a globally recognized eye emblem. Myth tells us that Horus lost his eye in a battle to avenge his father’s death. A goddess magically restored it, turning the eye into a talisman of protection, health, and renewal. Archaeologists have uncovered the symbol in tombs dating back to the Fourth Dynasty (c. 2613–2494 BC), underscoring its long‑standing importance.
Intriguingly, the Eye of Horus is divided into six parts, each representing a fraction of a geometric series. When overlaid onto a diagram of the human brain, each segment aligns with one of the six sensory centers—smell, sight, thought, hearing, taste, and touch. Some historians even argue that the modern RX symbol on prescription bottles evolved from this ancient eye, reflecting its longstanding association with healing.
Today, you’ll still find the Eye of Horus adorning homes and jewelry, serving as a protective emblem against danger.
8 Ocular Opals
Opals are the only gemstones that naturally refract light, mimicking the way the human eye splits white light into a rainbow of colors. In the eye, light passes through a prism, separating into distinct wavelengths; opals perform the same trick, scattering light into a dazzling play‑of‑color that gives each stone its signature pattern.
Historically, opals were prized for their supposed magical qualities. Some believed they could shield the wearer from eye ailments or even render them invisible. Conversely, other cultures saw opals as malevolent. Witchcraft lore claimed black opals amplified a sorcerer’s power, and some folk linked the stone to the eyes of feared creatures such as toads and snakes.
Even in popular culture, opals have made a mark. J.K. Rowling referenced them three times in the Harry Potter series, portraying them as “eyes” that grant foresight, reinforcing the gemstone’s mystique as a symbol of vision and prophecy.
7 Fill in the…Daruma Dolls
Take a glance at a traditional Japanese Daruma doll, and the first thing you’ll notice are its eyes—large, round, and initially blank. When you first acquire a Daruma, the eyes are empty circles. One eye is painted in when the doll is gifted, symbolizing the start of a goal or wish. The second eye remains unfilled until that ambition is realized, at which point you paint it in, marking completion.
The doll’s design is based on the 5th‑century Buddhist monk Bodhidharma, who supposedly meditated facing a wall for five years. His unwavering determination caused his body to atrophy, yet his spirit stayed strong. The doll’s eyes embody that steadfast focus and the “eye‑on‑the‑prize” mindset needed to achieve one’s aspirations.
In Japan, the phrase “both eyes open” (両目を開く) is a common blessing, wishing someone success and good fortune.
6 Third Eye of Shiva
Legend says the Hindu deity Shiva opened his third eye after being struck by an arrow from Kama, the god of desire. In a flash of divine fury, Shiva burned Kama to ash, illustrating the power of the third eye as a symbol of inner clarity and the crushing of temptation.
The bindi—a colored dot or sticker placed on the forehead—is widely recognized as a representation of this third‑eye symbolism. It sits at the sixth chakra, a point just above and between the eyes, and is associated with wisdom and spiritual insight.
Scientists have likened the pineal gland to a dormant “third eye,” noting its role in regulating hormones via the hypothalamus. Even philosopher René Descartes referred to the pineal gland as the seat of the soul, underscoring the enduring fascination with a metaphysical eye.
5 Unmatching Eyes
Most of us recognize Alexander the Great as a world‑shaping conqueror, but fewer know that he sported heterochromia—one blue eye and one brown. Heterochromia occurs when melanin distribution varies between the irises, creating two different eye colors.
In the past, people with mismatched eyes were sometimes feared. Certain Eastern European folklore claimed a child born with heterochromia had a witch’s eye swapped in, branding the individual as ominous. Today, the condition is celebrated as a striking trait. Celebrities like Kate Bosworth, Dan Aykroyd, Jane Seymour, and New York Mets pitcher Max Scherzer all showcase heterochromia.
Animals can exhibit the same trait; Native American stories describe “ghost dogs”—canines with two‑tone eyes—believing they can see both heaven and earth simultaneously. Although heterochromia affects less than one percent of the global population, July 12th is recognized as National Heterochromia Day, a perfect excuse to admire this eye‑catching diversity.
4 The Eye of Providence
The earliest known illustration of the Eye of Providence—an eye set within a triangle—appears in Renaissance religious art, symbolizing God’s omnipresence. In Pontormo’s 1525 painting Supper at Emmaus, the divine eye occupies the trinity triangle, underscoring the concept of an all‑seeing deity.
Fast forward to 1782, when the United States unveiled its Great Seal, featuring the Eye of Providence perched atop a pyramid. Charles Thompson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, designed this emblem to convey divine oversight of the fledgling nation. While some have linked the symbol to Freemasonry, historical evidence shows that only Benjamin Franklin was a Mason on the committee, and the eye only became a Masonic emblem in 1797—well after the seal’s adoption.
In modern pop culture, the all‑seeing eye fuels conspiracy theories about Illuminati control and appears in the artwork of stars like Madonna, Kanye West, and Jay‑Z, further cementing its status as a symbol that captures the collective imagination.
3 The Eyes of the God Tāwhirimātea
The Maori New Year centers on the Matariki constellation, also known as Ngā mata o te ariki Tāwhirimātea—literally “the eyes of the god Tāwhirimātea.” According to legend, the sky‑mother Ranginui and earth‑father Papatūānuku were separated by two disgruntled children. They enlisted Tane Mahuta, the forest god, to banish their parents, which he succeeded in doing. Their brother Tāwhirimātea, the wind god, was outraged and, in retaliation, gouged out Tane’s eyes, crushed them, and flung them into the heavens. Those celestial “eyes” became the nine stars of the Matariki constellation.
Each of the nine stars serves a distinct purpose for the Māori: one is the “mother” star, another links to ancestors, while others represent nourishment from the land, trees, freshwater, saltwater, rain, wind, and even a youthful star where wishes are sent. The constellation thus weaves together cosmology, ecology, and cultural identity.
Matariki celebrations unite communities, prompting reflection on the past and planning for the future—all inspired by the mythic eyes shining overhead.
2 Two Eyes—On a Platter
Saint Lucy, the patron saint of light, is frequently depicted holding a platter bearing two eyeballs—a striking visual that underscores her role as a protector of sight. Born into a noble Sicilian family in AD 283, Lucy devoted her dowry to aiding the poor. When her mother arranged a marriage to a pagan suitor who opposed Lucy’s charitable work, Lucy’s husband turned her over to a ruthless Roman governor.
The governor demanded that Lucy sacrifice to his idols; she refused. In retaliation, he either ordered her eyes removed or she gouged them out herself, depending on the version of the tale. This gruesome martyrdom cemented her status as a guardian of vision.
Renaissance artists were drawn to Lucy’s dramatic story. Francesco del Cossa painted her holding a branch with two eyeballs in place of flowers, while Francisco de Zurburán rendered her with a pewter dish topped by realistic eyes. These artworks perpetuate the haunting image of Lucy as the saint who safeguards our visual world.
1 The Whites of the Eyes
In an August 1963 interview, George Ohsawa correctly foretold President Kennedy’s assassination, attributing his prediction to the president’s Sanpaku eyes—a sign he believed indicated ill fate. Sanpaku, meaning “three whites” in Japanese, describes a condition where the white of the eye shows above or below the iris.
According to Ohsawa, Oriental physiognomy starts by observing the eyes, and a pronounced Sanpaku trait suggests physical or emotional distress, unreliability, and a higher likelihood of accidents or death. Notable figures said to have Sanpaku eyes include Princess Diana, Abraham Lincoln, Charles Manson, and Sylvester Stallone.
While modern science dismisses Sanpaku as unproven superstition, the belief remains a fascinating footnote in the long‑standing fascination humans have with the windows to the soul.