The All-Seeing Eye - a single human eye surrounded by radiating beams of light - is found in many eras and cultures. It is generally a symbol of the watchful and protective power of the Supreme Being, especially when that entity is considered in a solar or heavenly context. It appears on the Great Seal of the United States, and is among the many beautiful symbols of Freemasonry, where it represents the Great Architect of the Universe.
In regions where the evil eye belief occurs, the All-Seeing Eye is one of many forms of reflective eye-charm used as apotropaic talismans against the this danger. In its specifically protective role, the All-Seeing Eye appears on at least one North American Good Luck Coin to "guard" the bearer "from evil." A similar talismanic function was assigned to the protective Wadjet Eye or "Eye of Horus" of Ancient Egypt and the Third Eye of Buddha in India. Even the Mexican ojo de venado charm, an ancient shamanic amulet made from a psychedelic legume seed is given an eye-related name: ojo de venado means "Deer Eye."
The apotropaic all-seeing eye charm shown here is from Turkey. Just 1 1/4" x 2" in size, it is hand-made of glass and fitted with a blue ribbon and brass chain, so that it can be hung on a wall, either near the door or over a baby's bed, where it will ward off the evil eye. Related symbolism assigns protective power to the eye-in-hand and other blue eye amulets of Turkey. Greece, North Africa, the Middle East, and India. Similar blue glass eye charms from Turkey include the the horseshoe and eyes; the eye, horseshoe, and grapes; and one i call the "eyes-all-over" sphere.
