Reviewed and updated: October 26, 2022 by Jamie Wilson BA
If you are interested in ancient mythology and want to get a powerful Egyptian tattoo full of mystical symbolism, an Eye of Horus tattoo is what you are looking for.
According to ancient Egyptian myth, the Eye of Horus is a dominant symbol that holds auspicious powers.
The Eye of Horus represents healing, royal power, light, sacrifice, safety and regeneration. Currently, many believers use this mystical symbol to protect the mortals of this world, as well as the dead, from evil forces.
Ancient Egyptian legends relate how Set, out of malice, killed his brother, King Osiris, when he inherited all the fertile lands, leaving the former the barren deserts. The early Egyptians believed that the body of the deceased had to remain intact, embalmed, and buried in order for the spirit to enter the underworld. But Seth cut his brother’s body into 14 pieces and scattered them throughout the wilderness. But the late king’s wife, Isis, collected all the pieces and used her magic to revive her husband, who eventually entered the underworlds to become the judge of the deceased and the Egyptian god of death and resurrection into eternal life. Osiris’ son Horus grew up and decided to take revenge on his uncle for his father’s death. A series of fierce battles ensued, only for Horus to emerge jubilant but losing his left eye. Various versions of how he lost his eye have been retold, but the most famous is the one in which Horus himself gouged out his eye as a sacrifice in anticipation of bringing his father back to life. The Eye of Horus was restored by the Egyptian god of magic and wisdom, Thoth or Hathor, who is the Egyptian goddess of love and fertility.
What does the Egyptian eye tattoo mean? The people of ancient Egypt believed that the Eye of Horus had magical healing properties due to the myths surrounding it. Today’s believers have this symbol in their homes to ward off evil spirits and spread positive vibes. However, the Egyptian eye not only refers to the eye of Horus, but also to the eye of Ra. We will discuss the Eye of Ra later in this article. For more Eye of Horus tattoo ideas, as well as Eye of Ra tattoo designs and symbols like the Ankh, check out this specially curated list of Egyptian eye tattoos.
Feathers and Eye of Horus Tattoo
The Egyptian god Horus is one of the most popular gods of ancient Egypt and is depicted as a falcon-headed man wearing the traditional double crown called pschent, typically worn by early rulers of Egypt. Ancient myths describe him as the god of the sky, a falcon whose right eye was the sun and left eye was the moon. It is therefore only fitting that the eye of the Horus tattoo is coupled with bird feathers, with Horus being considered the god of the sky. The geometric hexagonal and elliptical outlines only make the tattoo design look cooler and more compact. Place this Eye of Horus tattoo on your chest to bring positive vibes into your life.
Minimalist Eye of Horus Tattoo
Getting complex and large tattoos can be quite a daunting task for most beginners. Also, these elaborate tattoo designs can take a heavy toll on your savings if you are one of those who are on a tight budget. This eye of horus tattoo minimalist design may be suitable for you if you fall into any of the above categories. Place this Eye of Horus Tattoo on your neck or wrist where it will be easy to see and show off to your friends.
Eye of Horus tattoo along the spine
The Eye of Horus Tattoo can be a powerful symbol full of inspiration and mystery. The eye is believed to represent regeneration and royal strength, and has healing powers. Placing this Eye of Horus Tattoo just below your neck with a customized message of your choice running down the spine will be a perfect display of your strength and one to show off to your fitness buddies.
Falcon and Eye of Horus tattoo
Since the god Horus is depicted as a man with a falcon head, this spiritual Eye of Horus tattoo design coupled with a falcon is apt and a perfect tattoo for you if you are a fan of ancient mythology.
Egyptian ankh and eye of horus tattoo
The Eye of Horus tattoo can be paired with an Egyptian Ankh tattoo, another classic tattoo rich in heavy mythical symbolism. It is related to the idea of rebirth and eternal life as believed by the early Egyptians. This spiritual hieroglyphic symbol can also be associated with the union of male and female and has been repeated in Egyptian art over the centuries along with the Eye of Horus.
Graffiti themed eye of horus tattoo
Most of the Eye of Horus tattoo designs mentioned in this list are monotonous in color but some of you might prefer colorful tattoos instead. We have you covered with this eye of horus tattoo rendered in the style of contemporary street graffiti and drawn with various vibrant colors of ink.
Serpent and Eye by Ra Tattoo
Originally both pairs of eyes were associated with Horus. But later legends tell how the right eye eventually became associated with the Egyptian sun god Ra. Ra was insecure that his people disrespected him and the throne, and this insecurity led him to slay much of humanity. Thus, this Eye of Ra tattoo paired with a venomous snake perfectly demonstrates the classic legends and myths surrounding Ra.
Ancient Egypt and Eye of Ra Tattoo
The Egyptian sun god Ra is portrayed in a unique way in this realistic tattoo, which is believed to be a camel-riding caravan of nomads with the Great Pyramids in the background. This Eye of Ra tattoo has the essence of both ancient and modern Egypt and depicts the desert land in an inspired way with the combination of the present and the past. This tattoo requires a tattoo artist’s best skills to execute flawlessly and requires a bit of space on the skin, with the chest being the obvious choice for it to show up well.
Minimalist Eye by Ra Tattoo
These Eye of Ra minimalist tattoo designs are for those who are getting inked for the first time or are on a tight budget. Intricate tattoo designs can be a difficult and expensive process and therefore not feasible for those who fall into the two categories above. However, these simple and minimalistic Eye of Ra tattoos are both cool and easy to draw hence much less expensive. Place these tattoos on your neck or wrist rather than your chest or shoulder for better visibility.
Thorns and Eye of Horus tattoo
Photo credit: @ashes_tattoo via Instagram
The story of the betrayal Osiris faced at the hands of his own brother and the path of vengeance his son Horus chose to avenge his father was thorny. However, Horus conquered all odds to defeat his tyrannical uncle in a fierce, bloody battle to avenge his father. The stories surrounding it have inspired artists across generations and this fantastic tattoo is a testament to that. If you want to pay homage to these classic myths and legends, then this Eye of Horus tattoo is perfect for you. Place this tattoo on the shoulder or chest for easy execution as the details take up quite a bit of space.
Egyptian eye tattoo design ideas have been around for quite some time as people’s interest in the great civilization of Egypt that existed centuries ago does not wane. This means that the Egyptian all-seeing eye tattoo is here to stay. The Eye of Horus represents protection, health, light, power and all of the world’s positive vibes, and this ancient symbol, laden with heavy metaphors and inspiration, is the perfect choice for all history buffs out there, as well as ordinary people who are interested in the ancient civilization of Egypt. It’s important to note that you get an experienced and professional artist to do the inking to save yourself from complications later. Have fun coloring!