The Eye of Providence is one of the most well-known but also most puzzling symbols for many people. It is a religious symbol that dates back to antiquity. A Christian symbol, the Eye of Providence has had many uses over the years, both in Christian iconography and in Freemasonry, in the Great Seal of the United States, as well as in various independent and often artistic projects and objects.
Eye of Providence necklace by Santa Muerte
Today, simply as a popular symbol, the Eye of Providence can often be seen in jewelry or artisanal pieces and its meaning can either be kept true to its origins or used ironically due to all the conspiracy theories and misunderstandings surrounding it.
What is the Eye of Providence and what is its use in jewelry? And most importantly, should one buy a jewel bearing the symbol of the Eye of Providence?
Eye of Providence necklace by Santa Muerte
What is the Eye of Providence?
Even if you don't know its name, chances are you have already seen the Eye of Providence somewhere. This symbol represents the eye of God that sees everything in Christianity.
It can be depicted in different settings and contexts, but it is generally drawn as an eye from which rays of light emanate in all directions. It is usually depicted within a triangle, representing the Holy Trinity in Christianity.
However, you will find stylized versions in modern jewelry, with the eye represented in various different ways.
Symbolism of the Eye of Providence
The eye has long been a symbol of luck, protection, and fortune. Throughout history, we see the eye being used as a symbol of good luck, appreciated as a symbol of protection worldwide.
The Eye of Providence was originally created as a representation of God's omniscient eye and has been officially used as such since then. It is a benevolent symbol, representing God's protection, salvation, and blessings.
Today, it is highly likely that many people do not know what the Eye of Providence is supposed to represent. For many, it is simply the symbol of Freemasonry, "Big Brother," the Illuminati, or any other conspiratorial notion. It is a shame because for those who want to continue using it in its traditional meaning - the eye of God that sees everything - it creates the problem of always having to explain to those around them.
Types of Eye of Providence Jewelry
Like many other well-known and established ancient symbols - whether religious or cultural - the Eye of Providence also has its place in the jewelry and craft industries.
It is often used in various pendant and necklace designs, on bracelets, or as the centerpiece of earrings. The Eye of Providence is also often depicted on rings.
The symbol is also widely used in charms. Due to its benevolent connotations, it can be worn by anyone, regardless of their religious affiliation.
There are also many stylized versions of the Eye.
Eye of Providence and Eye of Horus
It is relatively easy to confuse the Eye of Providence and the Eye of Horus if one is not too familiar with the meaning of these two symbols. And, to be fair, both symbols represent the eye of a deity watching over people.
In the case of the Eye of Horus, the deity is the ancient Egyptian sun god Horus, while the Eye of Providence is the eye of the Judeo-Christian God.
While the Eye of Providence symbolizes the fact that God sees everything and watches over us, the Eye of Horus, also known as Wadjet, is supposed to be a protective symbol that wards off evil and promotes healing and rejuvenation.
The simplest way to differentiate these two divine eyes is that the Eye of Horus generally has a more artistic design with two swirls underneath, while the Eye of Providence is generally depicted in a more realistic style with or without the rays of light and with a triangle or cloud drawn around it.
Both symbols are rather lovely on pendants and amulets, and they both have strong and positive meanings. The choice of one or the other is therefore a matter of personal preference.
Controversy over the Eye of Providence
The Eye of Providence finds its origin in Christian iconography, representing the all-seeing eye of God. Since then, it has been adopted by many different organizations, religious or not.
Freemasons and the Eye of Providence
Since 1797, the Eye of Providence has been a major symbol of Freemasonry thanks to a publication by Thomas Smith Webb in the Freemasons Monitor. It is not depicted within a triangle but under a cloud.
The Great Seal of the United States
Another popular use of the Eye of Providence is in the Great Seal of the United States. It was included on the reverse of the seal in 1782 - 14 years before the Masonic society adopted it as its own symbol.
In the Great Seal, the Eye of Providence is depicted in its original form - within a triangle. Additionally, the triangle with the Eye was placed atop a 13-step pyramid. These 13 steps were meant to symbolize the thirteen states of the United States at the time. It is a complex metaphor, depicting the United States as a "work in progress" and the Eye of Providence, watching over them and overseeing their progress.
If this metaphor was appropriate at the time, the presence of the Eye of Providence in the Great Seal has sparked many controversies since. Because the pyramid is a rather foreign symbol to American citizens and because the Freemasons adopted the Eye of Providence as their own symbol at roughly the same time, many conspiracy theories argue that the Great Seal of the United States is evidence that the country is run by Freemasons.
Of course, all Masonic organizations have denied this claim and have all cited the fact that they adopted the Eye at a later date. Furthermore, among all the committee members who approved the design of the Great Seal of the United States, only Benjamin Franklin was a Freemason, and his own ideas for the seal design were all rejected.
As controversial as the origins and history of the Eye of Providence may be, they are certainly fascinating. Whatever your thoughts and feelings about this symbol, it is undoubtedly an iconic and very popular symbol, even today.
The Illuminati and the Eye of Providence
The "Illuminati," in particular, are a very popular conspiracy theory in modern times. The original "Illuminati" were created at roughly the same time as the Eye of Providence on the Great Seal and in the Masonic society - the Bavarian Illuminati.
This group was a secret society of the Enlightenment era, founded in 1776 by Adam Weishaupt. Their goals seem to have been to oppose superstition, obscurantism, and religious influences on public life. Naturally, they were never known to use the Eye of Providence officially. However, the name "Illuminati" has continued to be used as a synonym for "secret societies ruling over people" to this day, and the Eye of Providence has simply been attached to the name by people.
Should I Wear the Eye of Providence?
The eye is often wrongly interpreted as being malevolent, and it is easy to understand why. An eye alone tends not to show much emotion, unlike a mouth, and can seem cold, unfeeling, and insensitive. These traits then translate into the representation of evil and bad things. But this is far from the case. We have said it once and we repeat it: the Eye of Providence is meant to be a benevolent symbol.
Should I wear the Eye of Providence or should I avoid it altogether?
The answer to this question is quite simple. Wear the symbol if you like what it represents and its appearance. After all, it is a symbol of good luck with religious connotations. For Christians, the Eye of Providence is meaningful and should not have negative connotations.