Particular attention of believers today is attracted by unusual varieties of church art. Quite rare and unique in composition is the “All-Seeing Eye” icon, which can be purchased both from collectors and in online stores. What is the meaning of this image, what can you pray for in front of it?
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The meaning and meaning of the All-Seeing Eye icon
Looking at this image for the first time, you may not even understand that it is an icon. “The all-seeing eye of God” is the image of the Lord, as the name implies. To understand it, you must have at least an approximate idea of the creation of the universe according to the idea of creationism. This is written about in the book of Genesis; in short, Christians are of the opinion that everything in the world, including the Universe, is the result of God’s personal creation.
The pictorial language in this case is deeply symbolic. The idea itself is taken from the Psalm of David (32, verse 18). It is believed that here we are talking about a specific person of the Holy Trinity - Jesus Christ. The first images of this type date back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
- I would like to correct the mistaken opinion - this is not a Masonic symbol. The eye in the triangle has much more ancient origins. Indeed, many occult and other groups use Christian symbols. Therefore, you need to be more careful in matters of faith and firmly adhere to Orthodox traditions.
- Under no circumstances should you fall for the tricks of “magicians” who lure gullible people with the help of church paraphernalia. They use candles, images, symbolism and even prayers. But turning to occult movements and sorcerers is a very big sin. The consequences of it can be much more serious than the problem that a person is trying to solve.
On the All-Seeing Eye icon, each symbol has a deep theological meaning. The eye symbolizes one of the qualities of God - omniscience. One should not think that the Lord “watches” a person day and night. He simply knows, knows everything that happens at every moment of time in every point of the Universe. Also, you should not perceive this composition as part of the “portrait” of God and think that He has two pairs of eyes. Most images are just symbols. No mortal is given the opportunity to see God.
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The basis of the image is a circle - it is repeated several times. The circle is a symbol of infinity, perfection, and self-sufficiency of God. Christ Emmanuel is depicted in the center. Rays diverge from the central circle, according to the number of evangelists. At their ends there are also circles containing various symbols.
Between the second and first circles are two pairs of eyes, a nose and lips. Between the outer circles are cherubs. The circles themselves have different inscriptions. Saints may be depicted on the side.
- The Lord of hosts is the Creator of the universe. Depicted as an Elder. It is probably this part of the composition that confuses some of the clergy, since depicting the first Person of the Trinity is prohibited in Orthodoxy.
- Emmanuel - Christ as a teenager. Has a mature facial expression to emphasize Jesus' original divine origins. Right hand in a blessing gesture. There is a cross-shaped halo above the head.
- The Mother of God is a woman who became the link between the divine and human nature of Christ. Some people mistake the All-Seeing Eye for an icon of the Virgin Mary.
- Jesus Christ is the Savior of people and the King of the world, the Judge - he is entrusted with deciding people's destinies.
- The eyes are a symbol of the All-Seeing Eye, a reminder that God sees everything and creates judgment Himself.
History of the image
This painting, a striking example of the possible popularization of folk art in religion, has been actively and furiously discussed at all kinds of theological meetings and sessions throughout its existence. Despite the ambiguity of the icon, it has become extremely popular among the Orthodox people.
It first appeared in the Vladimir land, where it was created by the hands of local craftsmen in the style and traditions of Vladimir icon painting, at least the initial samples.
It is executed in ocher tones, which is typical for that area. The main distinguishing feature is its simplicity and at the same time beauty of the composition. But the whole complexity is in the multitude of symbols contained in it. After all, it not only differs in its concept from the usual canonical iconography, but also in the way it presents all the keys that reveal the meaning.
Read about other icons of the Lord:
“Savior not made by hands”Icon of the Most Holy TrinityIcon of Jesus Christ Pantocrator
In addition, this is a fairly young image, whose age barely reaches 300 years, i.e. is a remake. Its creation occurred at the decline of traditional Russian icon painting, which may be why “The All-Seeing Eye” contains an ambiguous, at first glance, conceptual author’s meaning.
Interesting! A significant part of the clergy is usually skeptical about the icon, but its mysticism has not prevented its popularity from growing among believers.
Icon “The All-Seeing Eye of God”
Features of the holy image
An important role in the icon is occupied by the image of the Book - the Holy Scriptures, as a conductor of the will of God in the human world. Also painted are the figures of the four authors of the Gospel, which proclaims the Good News to the world. Through him, the mystery of the Holy Trinity is revealed more fully.
- Evangelist Matthew - in the form of a kneeling angel.
- Evangelist Mark - in the form of a creature with four wings.
- Evangelist John is a lion with wings holding a Book.
- Evangelist Luke - in the form of a winged calf, also with the Book.
There are also other symbols that may not appear in some image options. The image may seem mysterious, but to a persistent researcher it will gradually reveal the Truths hidden in it. The observer's attention is initially drawn to the image of the eyes. The entire composition is unlikely to immediately fit into the head of an unprepared viewer; it should be thought about.
Each circle has its own color. This gives the entire icon perspective, as if the observer is looking at the vault of a tall building, or perhaps through a window through which Heaven can be seen. The image is intended to calm the person praying, who understands that God is constantly with him, and loneliness is a myth. In any need, a person can trust God, shift his worries to Him, the only thing that prevents this is the closedness of the soul and mind.
What does the triangle symbol mean?
An eye in a regular triangle with its apex facing upward is one of the most ancient symbols. According to experts, the following motives are clearly readable in it:
- Pagan mythology
- primarily of the ancient Germans. - The eye of Wotan or Odin
- the supreme deity of German-Scandinavian mythology, the patron saint of victory and war. In order to taste the life-giving moisture of the key of wisdom, he sacrificed his eye. Therefore, in culture and art, Wotan appears as a one-eyed old man overseeing mere mortals. The ancient Scandinavians associated the Eye of Odin with a star that helped in sea navigation. - Celtic triangle
, which among many peoples of Northern Europe was an integral element of the worship of the Sun. The three directions of its peaks represented dawn, noon and sunset. As time passed, the semantic content of the image began to change. They began to associate him with the movement of the Moon, then with the element of fire, then with the patron of thunder, Thor. Celtic motifs are easily read in the symbols of the Teutonic Order and even in a number of works of art of Ancient Rus'. - Biblical influence.
It is in the Old Testament that the symbol of the eye is interpreted as the protection of Jehovah. Gradually, the Christian “fathers of the church” developed and honed the philosophical content of this image.
How does the icon of the All-Seeing Eye of God help?
What can an icon that depicts the All-Seeing Eye of the Lord protect from? There are no special recommendations - a person cannot limit the Creator Himself. He is omnipotent - he is able to save a person from any failures, give health, vigor and spiritual joy. The biblical king David was a simple shepherd until the Lord raised him above everyone. There is no need to be afraid; you can pray about any problem in front of this image.
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There is an opinion that the image patronizes servants of the law. But the Lord gives His protection to everyone, regardless of place of work, age, gender or nationality. He also sees not only the external side of life, actions and deeds, but knows everything that is going on in a person’s heart; even a thought cannot be hidden, according to the holy fathers. By reminding of this, the icon is able to keep a person from sin. We must even monitor our thoughts, because any sin first begins as a thought that the demon throws up.
The All-Seeing Eye icon helps sinners to establish themselves in faith, and helps parents in raising their children. Before any responsible decision or the start of an important undertaking, you should pray and spend time in reflection. You shouldn’t talk too much during prayer, it is advisable to get to the very essence - what kind of events does a person see as desirable and why? Do you want to remake your loved ones or the world around you “to suit you”?
The Lord is not a magic wand, and there is no need to treat icons as an instrument with the help of which wishes come true. First of all, the Lord desires a person’s repentance and waits for changes in the heart. Only then does a person find God when he begins to seek Him. The Creator does not force anyone to do the right thing, because such freedom costs nothing. If there is no repentance, you need to ask for it, read the Gospel, try to understand what you need to do to become better.
If prayers are full of reproaches and demands, they will remain unanswered. Not because the Lord “does not want” to answer, but because He cannot go against the laws of the universe that He Himself created. The commandments are not some kind of restrictors of freedom, but warning signs on the path to the abyss. Just as the laws of physics rule in the visible world, so they do in the spiritual.
Eyes - a sign system
The first key to eye signs
: right eye – solar, left eye – lunar.
The Sun and Moon of our horoscope provide us with the opportunity to track solar and lunar influences not only astrologically, but also through the eyes and everything that happens to them.
The right eye is sunny,
can show everything that concerns our consciousness, temporary changes. In the center of this eye is located, which is an additional sign of the right eye.
Left eye – lunar
and all subconscious programs. Lives in the center of the left eye, and it also tells us our spatial position.
Second key:
eye - allows you to observe the signs of what is happening to us in each of the earthly spheres.
Their sequence is from the circle to the center.
And then, the eye socket is the 1st sphere and, accordingly, the 1st chakra of the energy body, and all the organs of the physical body that it nourishes.
The pupil of the eye is the 7th sphere and the 7th chakra.
Respond in a timely manner to the prompts of your little eyes.
Location of icons
Initially, the composition “The All-Seeing Eye” was not an icon, but was located on the walls, domes of churches, as a painting. Only over time they began to depict it on boards and place it in houses. In churches built in the 18-19 centuries. Such paintings have survived to this day; many are surprised by their unusual appearance, since you cannot find them in modern churches.
Today, ancient rare icons can be purchased from private individuals, but modern icon painters also use this plot. Some priests consider it non-canonical, so the icon of the “All-Seeing Eye” can rarely be seen in churches. But it is not forbidden to purchase it in a store.
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There is some debate about the canonicity of the image; a deliberate decision must be made here. Will the image affect your spiritual state, will it create doubt? If the answer is yes, you should abstain. But if the purchase is made, where to hang the “All-Seeing Eye” icon? The same recommendations apply to it as to other images.
Previously, each house initially had a special “red corner”. It was on the eastern side; windows were cut on both sides so that the holy place was well lit. Today this rule is impossible for most people, but this does not mean that we must abandon shrines. If possible, place them along the eastern wall. If not, it's not critical.
You need to hang the image away from the TV and bookshelves. Although you can use a bookshelf instead of a special shelf, you cannot put anything there except icons. There should be no bright distracting objects or paintings nearby, much less inciting any passions. There are also certain requirements for decorations - these can only be fresh flowers or willow branches. If the housewife does needlework, she can embroider a special towel.
You can place a lamp on an open shelf and light it during prayer, on Sundays. The central place in the iconostasis should be occupied by the images of the Savior (Christ Pantocrator) and the Mother of God (optional). They should also be the largest in size. On the sides you can already place the remaining icons that the owners choose. These are images of saints, church holidays, Angels. The iconostasis should be located in such a way that nothing distracts from prayer.
Due to the ambiguous attitude towards the image, a special prayer to the “All-Seeing Eye” icon was not written. However, if there is a desire to turn to the Creator, you can read one of the prayers to the Lord - “Our Father”, a penitential canon, an akathist to the Sweetest Jesus. Psalms of praise and repentance are suitable. In deep prayer, you can ask the Lord to open your spiritual eyes and help you assimilate Scripture and comprehend its meaning.
It is unacceptable to use any icons in magical rituals! The spiritual world is complex and even dangerous for those who enter it unprepared. Many “ascetics” regretted their rash steps. It is better to adhere to traditional prayers, visit church, go to confession - then no spiritual enemy will be scary. God bless you!
- Icon “It is Worthy to Eat”
- Icon of the Three Joys - here
- Icon of the Lord Almighty -
Eye of Horus (eye in triangle)
In very ancient times (about 6000 years ago), this unusual sign was used in ancient Egypt as a designation of the all-seeing Eye, otherwise the eye of Horus. This deity saw everything and everyone in the world, because, according to legend, one of his eyes was the Moon, and the other the Sun. Nothing could hide from his gaze. God was adamant towards sinners and severely punished them for breaking the laws. He was feared and revered. In those days, only priests who performed special rituals were allowed to use the symbol. Nowadays, the meaning of a pyramid with an eye tattoo has not changed. Anyone can do it, unlike in ancient times. Then it was almost impossible, because only great people could wear such a body design.
In addition to Egyptian legends, there are a number of other interesting options associated with this symbol. After all, the “All-Seeing Eye” is very popular among different peoples of the world. What is most interesting is that the sign does not belong to a specific religion (although it is still used for these purposes, and it can be seen in many places). This symbol is the personification of the Creator's gaze.
Prayers in front of the All-Seeing Eye icon
Our Father who art in heaven! Hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Prayer to Jesus Christ
“My many-merciful and all-merciful God, Lord Jesus Christ, for the sake of love you came down and became incarnate for many reasons, so that you would save everyone. And again, Savior, save me by grace, I pray to You; Even if you save me from works, there is no grace and no gift, but more than debt. Hey, abundant in generosity and ineffable in mercy! Believe in Me, you say, O my Christ, you will live and will not see death forever. Even if faith in You saves the desperate, behold, I believe, save me, for You are my God and Creator. Let faith instead of works be imputed to me, O my God, for you will not find works to justify me. But may my faith prevail instead of all, may it answer, may it justify me, may it show me to be a partaker of Your eternal glory. Let Satan not kidnap me, and boast to the Word that he has torn me from Your hand and fence; But either I want, save me, or I don’t want, Christ my Savior, I will soon foresee, I will soon perish: For you are my God from my mother’s womb. Grant me, O Lord, now to love Thee, as sometimes I have loved that same sin; and again work for You without laziness, just as you worked before the flattering Satan. Above all, I will serve You, my Lord and God Jesus Christ, all the days of my life, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen".
