In today’s modern times, many ancient symbols are experiencing a revival in popularity. It is not uncommon to find symbols such as the all-seeing eye on clothing, brand logos, or even on people’s skin. this design has quickly become one of the most recognizable ancient symbols, thanks in part to its mysterious roots steeped in occultism and ancient lore.
Commonly called the “all-seeing eye,” this symbol is also known as “the eye of providence” and is classically shown as an eye within a triangle or pyramid. The all-seeing eye is a simple yet powerful symbol that can be easily designed to complement any tattoo style. works wonderfully as a stand-alone piece or as a powerful symbol within a larger tattoo.
To learn more about the all-seeing eye tattoo meaning and to get some inspiration for your next piece, read on!
what is the all-seeing eye symbol?
The all-seeing eye symbol is traditionally depicted as a lone eye within a triangle surrounded by bursts of light. this ancient symbol has been revered by various ancient civilizations and played a role as an important icon in many world religions.
The most common meaning assigned to this mysterious design is that it represents the “all-seeing eye of god”.
The all-seeing eye tattoo design can be easily recognized by its placement within a triangle or on top of a pyramid. it differs from other popular eye motifs in that it is always displayed the same way, with the same design components to mark it.
A similar design with only one eye is the eye of horus tattoo. this eye is also placed within a triangular design at times, but features a classic Egyptian style eye with what can be described as a “teardrop” placed below.
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what is the meaning of the all seeing eye tattoo?
When questioning the meaning of the all-seeing eye tattoo, it quickly becomes apparent that there are many different interpretations of this ancient symbol. Like most tattoos, there is no unifying meaning behind selecting it as a permanent piece of art. instead, we found that there is a wide range of interpretations for the eye of providence tattoo, allowing those who resonate with the symbol to choose for themselves what it means to them.
the eye of god
The most commonly understood meaning of the all-seeing eye tattoo is that it represents the omnipresent eye of god that watches over humanity.
Another popular interpretation is that it symbolizes the benevolent guidance of a divine source, since the word “providence” means “guidance”. the light source displayed behind the all-seeing eye is traditionally believed to denote “enlightenment” or wisdom.
In various spiritual and religious beliefs, the all-seeing eye is believed to represent the awakening of the spirit or the opening of the third eye.
A common version of the all-seeing eye design is the crying all-seeing eye tattoo. Although this tattoo shares much of the same symbolism as the original design, it is believed to be used as a sign of the gods’ grief for humanity.
This design can be used to represent a number of personal beliefs, particularly around empathy for human suffering or a state of sadness regarding the state of humanity.
The traditional representation of the all-seeing eye has had importance in almost all the world’s major religions, being used as a symbol of inner wisdom, spiritual progress and seeking answers within oneself.
In the early days of Christianity, the symbol was used to represent the Holy Trinity through the three points of the triangle. In Buddhist religions, the all-seeing eye is considered “the eye of the world,” while in Hindu belief systems it is said to be the “third eye” of Shiva.
Within all of these various belief systems, the all-seeing eye functions as a symbol to represent transcendence and higher planes of perception and understanding.
“illuminati” – a symbol of power and control
In addition to symbols used in religious and spiritual practices, the all-seeing eye also appears on the reverse of the US one dollar bill.
The eye of providence design is also used by the secret society of freemasons, darpa, and on the official seal of colorado. the use of the all-seeing eye by government entities, the federal reserve, and secret societies has led some to believe that the symbol also has a darker connotation. Those who follow this line of thought believe that the all-seeing eye is used as a subconscious marker, or a way to denote covert control of the world by a group of ultra-elite oligarchs, industry leaders, and politicians. known as “illuminati”, or “illuminated”.
In this way it can be interpreted as a symbol of power, influence, surveillance and control.
In tattoos, when the symbol is used in this way, it is often referred to as an “illuminati eye tattoo“. Some choose this symbol to remind them of the presence of hidden control, while others use it in the hope of manifesting similar circumstances of money, power and control. When worn this way, the all-seeing eye tattoo is usually depicted as the floating pyramid capstone, similar to that of the dollar bill and the US postage stamp.
metaphysics and occultism
Even stranger, some within the spiritual and scientific communities believe that the all-seeing eye is a design meant to deconstruct the myths surrounding the nature of reality.
The eye within the center of the triangle is said to represent a black hole within the core of the Milky Way galaxy. Physicists have discovered that when information, such as a book, is sucked into a black hole, the information will “project” from the 2d realm to the 3d realm, ensuring that it is never truly lost.
In many ways, this relates to the association of the all-seeing eye with the hidden knowledge and wisdom perceived by the “third eye”. For those interested in metaphysics, science, and the occult, this can be a perfect symbol to represent the nature of reality. Adding various mystical and physics-related symbolism alongside your all-seeing eye tattoo can further clarify its intended meaning.
Also read: golden spirals and sacred knots: geometric tattoos
When designing your all-seeing eye tattoo, keep in mind that there is a wide range of interpretations within this simple design. you can customize it together with your artist to create a design that fits your personal understanding and intended meaning.
story of the all-seeing eye symbol
Scholars have traced this intriguing symbol back to the days of ancient Egypt, believing it was created from the “eye of horus”. The Eye of Horus is similar in nature to the All Seeing Eye in that it features an eye within a triangular shaped design. this symbol was traditionally used to ward off evil forces and help guide pharaohs to the afterlife.
Interestingly, the most famous depiction of all-seeing eyes appears on the reverse of the dollar bill, where it is depicted as the floating capstone above a giant pyramid. the symbol was first placed on the one dollar bill by fdr in 1935 and has been used since 1782 on the seal of the united states.
The pyramid on the seal consists of 13 steps to reach the top of the structure, each step intended to represent one of the 13 original states.
the famous quotes placed on the dollar bill by the all-seeing eye reads as “annuit coeptis”, which translates as “he approves of our commitments”, and “novus ordo seclorum”, or “new order of the ages.” . It is believed that the ancestors of the United States attempted to use this symbolism and accompanying phrases to help manifest a civilization as timeless as that of ancient Egypt.
Still, others maintain that it was used to imply that secret societies like the Free Masons and others had surreptitiously gained control of the country.
In contrast to its use by government entities, the all-seeing eye has been of importance in several world religions, such as Hinduism, Christianity, and Buddhism. within these belief systems, the eye has traditionally been used as a symbol of spiritual ascendancy and inner wisdom.
The symbolism of the all-seeing eye has made its most recent mark on history when its likeness was discovered in crop circles around the world, only adding the symbols mysterious energy and intrigue.
best body locations for all seeing eye tattoo
hand
The all seeing eye tattoo can easily be worn as a small singular piece, perfect for the hand or palm! The striking imagery of this simple design works beautifully within this small space and can serve as additional inspiration for future arm tattoos.
arm
For those interested in creating a spiritually inspired tattoo sleeve, the eye within the triangle tattoo is a great design option. it functions as a main focal point for the piece, as well as a more minimal complement to an intricate design. Thanks to the large canvas on the arm, there is more room for imaginative and creative design.
back
Whether your next tattoo is an oversized back piece or a one-of-a-kind design, the all-seeing eye is a great back design motif. Many back tattoos with spiritual symbolism, Egyptian references, or themes of inner wisdom and transcendence have used this powerful symbol.
all seeing eye tattoo designs
Feeling ready to dive into all-seeing eye tattoo inspiration? Take a look at our gallery and see some of our favorite pieces with the all-seeing eye!
