Fragment of a Wedjat Eye Ring

Fragment of a Wedjat Eye Ring

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The wedjat eye represents the healed eye of the god Horus. It depicts a combination of a human and a falcon eye, since Horus was often associated with a falcon. Its ancient Egyptian name, wedjat, means "the one that is sound (again)." In Egyptian mythology Horus’ eye was injured or stolen by the god Seth and then restored by Thoth. The wedjat eye embodies healing power and symbolizes rebirth. An amulet or ring in this shape was thought to protect its wearer and to transfer the power of regeneration onto him or her.

Egyptian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Fragment of a Wedjat Eye RingFragment of a Wedjat Eye RingFragment of a Wedjat Eye RingFragment of a Wedjat Eye RingFragment of a Wedjat Eye Ring

The Met collection of ancient Egyptian art consists of approximately 30,000 objects of artistic, historical, and cultural importance, dating from about 300,000 BCE to the 4th century CE. A signifcant percentage of the collection is derived from the Museum's three decades of archaeological work in Egypt, initiated in 1906 in response to increasing interest in the culture of ancient Egypt.