The All-Seeing Eye
A Christmas gift, a 6” x 8” memory block of the All-Seeing Eye, was recently delivered to my home. It arrived in March because the production was limited to a small edition that would only be crafted for a few months.
My wife ordered this particular gift because of my interest in Masonry and it now rests in my man cave where it functions as a type of finished ashlar memento. We all recognize this symbol also known as “Eye of Providence;” it’s on every dollar bill as a part of the Great Seal of the United States. Many people, Masons and non-Masons alike, also identify the Eye with the early traditions of Masonry.
The first written Masonic reference to the Eye appeared in 1797 in Thomas Smith Webb’s Freemasons Monitor. It represented the all-seeing eye of God and reminds us that our thoughts and deeds are always observed by him. The eye of God reference was adopted from Christian symbolism and appears in religious depictions as early as the sixteenth century. A prominent Italian painting by Pontormo entitled Supper in Emmaus dated 1520 shows the same modern depiction of the eye surrounded by a triangle and rays of light. It has been suggested that the triangle denoting the holy trinity was added to the painting and incorporated into other religious art after the Council of Trent 1545-1563, in order to conform to its canons and decrees.
Many other religions that predate Christianity also use the eye of God as part of their iconographies. The oldest are written Sanskrit references over 3,000 years old. The Hindu God Shiva has three eyes; the brow eye or Chakra is usually depicted as closed. This eye symbolizes knowledge and if opened it will destroy any evil or ignorance that it sees. The Egyptian eye of Horus was a symbol of protection, healing and restoration. Various Middle East cultures use a hand-eye symbol called variously a Hamsa or Nazar as a symbol of peace and to ward off evil.
Many modern sources associate the All-Seeing Eye exclusively with Masonry but as we can see its origins are varied and ancient. The next time you hear one of those popular conspiracy theories, remember that the Eye was adopted for religious and government uses long before becoming a Masonic symbol.
Fraternally,
Mike Miller, Junior Warden