What is the Eye of Providence?

From the ancient civilizations of Egypt to the corridors of power in modern societies, the Eye of Providence has remained a potent symbol of cosmic order and divine guidance. For centuries it has been depicted as an eye enclosed in a triangle and radiating rays of light, but its origins can be traced back much further to our most ancient civilizations where it emerged as a symbol of protection and providence, often associated with deities and celestial forces.

As the currents of history carried civilizations forward, the symbolism of the eye continued to evolve, finding new expressions in the artistic and cultural landscapes of the West. From the early Christian depictions of the "Eye of God" watching over the faithful to its prominent placement on the Great Seal of the United States, the eye took on layers of meaning, embodying concepts of divine oversight, enlightenment, and the interconnectedness of all things.

The all-seeing eye reminds us that the Great Architect for the Universe is overseeing everything

The all-seeing eye came to Freemasonry in the 18th century when our fraternity first rose in popularity. Even as baseless conspiracy theories have more recently arisen here in the United States about the “true” meaning of the Eye, it has remained a meaningful emblem in the Craft, reminding Brethren of the timeless truths and moral principles that guide a Mason on his journey of self-improvement.

From East to West

It appears that for as long as there has been religion, eyes have held symbolic importance. For instance, the ancient Sumerians enlarged the eyes of sculptures to emphasize the object’s holiness. In Egypt, the Eye of Horus, also known as left wedjat eye or udjat eye, frequently appeared in the ancient culture’s art as early as 2686 BC. Their mythology stated Horus’ left eye was the Sun, which was stolen by the god Set, his arch-rival, as they fought for dominion over Egypt. Later returned to Horus, the eye came to symbolize restoration and protection against evil. The Eye of Horus is the first known appearance of the detached eye as a symbol of cultural significance. It directly influenced European iconography during the Renaissance and led to the emergence of the Eye of Providence as we know it today.

An Egyptian Eye of Ra (right wedjat eye) pendant in gold and faïence.

The Renaissance

During the Renaissance, the Eye of Providence ascended to prominence within Western culture, captivating European scholars and artists who were deeply intrigued by ancient iconography. However, their attempts at interpretation often led to inaccuracies. For instance, in 1499, Francesco Colonna's romance translated the Egyptian eye symbol into a representation of 'God.' This translation swiftly solidified the emblem as a divine embodiment, exemplified in Pontormo's 1525 painting, "Supper at Emmaus."

Pontormo, Cena in Emmaus

In 1593, Italian iconographer Cesare Ripa furthered the dissemination of ancient symbols with his publication, "Iconologia," which featured elegant illustrations and written descriptions of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman emblems derived from oral history. This book proved immensely popular among Europe's enlightened thinkers and creators, providing them with a rich source of new symbols to incorporate into their works amidst the flourishing art and poetry of the age.

As the Renaissance progressed, the Eye of Providence became a frequent motif in religious paintings and church architecture, often encircled by rays of light within a triangle. This revised depiction was chosen for its symbolic representation of the Holy Trinity, with each side of the triangle representing a divine person. For the intellectuals and artists of the era, the Eye symbolized not only divine oversight but also served as a call to intellectual inquiry and mindfulness of a higher power. It was during this period that the concept of the All-Seeing Eye as a symbol of God began to take shape, reflecting the intellectual curiosity and spiritual exploration characteristic of the time.

In Masonic Ritual

The Renaissance, with its revival of classical learning and humanistic ideals, provided fertile ground for the emergence of Freemasonry. Renaissance thinkers emphasized the importance of individual inquiry, human potential, and the pursuit of knowledge, values that resonate strongly within Freemasonry. It is natural then that, given the Eye of Providence was prominent in Renaissance art, early Speculative Masons incorporated this symbol into their iconography.

Perhaps the earliest Masonic uses of the Eye dates appeared in the personal seal of Bro. Robert Moray, a Scottish soldier and philosopher during the 17th century. His seal featured a circle with an eye at its center, surrounded by radiating rays, reminiscent of earlier depictions. The precise moment when the symbol entered Masonic ritual remains uncertain, but by the mid-1700s, it had been embraced. Bro. Fifield D’Assingy's works, "An Impartial Answer to the Enemies of Freemasonry" (1741) and "A Serious and Impartial Inquiry Into the Cause of the Present Decay of Free-Masonry in the Kingdom of Ireland" (1744), both feature the Eye of Providence.

For the next century, the Eye gained greater prominence within Freemasonry. Notably, the esteemed Masonic lecturer Bro. William Preston referred to the "all-seeing eye" of God in his degree lectures, including the following from his closing ceremony of the second degree:

“Then let us consider, that wherever we are, and whatever we do in the character of craftsmen, God is with us, and his all-seeing eye observes us: that acting in conformity to our tenets we may declare in his presence that we have endeavored to discharge our duty with fervency and zeal.”

However, it was Thomas Webb who brought the Eye of Providence to Freemasonry in the United States with the publication of "The Freemason’s Monitor" in 1797. Of this symbol, Webb wrote:

“. . . although our thoughts, words, and actions, may be hidden from the eyes of man, yet that ALL-SEEING EYE, Whom the Sun, Moon, and Stars obey, and under whose watchful care even Comets perform their stupendous revolutions, pervades the inmost recesses of the human heart, and will reward us according to our merits.”

Centuries later, the Eye of Providence remains a core part of Masonic ritual and symbolism, representing the omnipresence and omniscience of the Supreme Architect of the Universe. It serves as a reminder to Masons that our thoughts, words, and actions are always observed and judged by a higher power, and that we must uphold moral values and act with integrity.

The Grand Lodge of Illinois A. F. & A. M. seal shows the all-seeing eye 

The Great Seal Debate

Despite the long and well-documented history and evolution of eyes as a symbol of the divine, the Eye has been put at the center of a famous national conspiracy theory. The Great Seal of the United States of America was designed by Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, in collaboration with artist William Barton. It was officially adopted by the Continental Congress on June 20, 1782, after several iterations.

The Seal includes a pyramid, a symbol of strength, with 13 levels to represent the original 13 states. They included the Eye of Providence sitting atop the pyramid with rays shining from it. Even though this imagery was consistent with other artwork of the era, modern movies and popular culture references have obscured the true story of how it was designed and what the symbol means. The result is a rise in the belief that the Eye of Providence represents a symbol of a secretive and powerful elite group, such as the Illuminati, controlling world affairs.

Some theories claim that because the Seal is a Masonic emblem, it means Freemasons exert some level of control over the government of the United States and that the fraternity has used its influence to manipulate political and economic systems for its own gain. Of course, this is not true, and The Eye of Providence was already increasingly recognizable by the time the Great Seal was designed in 1782. It represented then what it represents today: God watches over our nation. The Great Seal embodies the principles of liberty, unity, strength, and divine providence upon which the United States was founded.

Generations of Tradition

A tracing board depicts the eye of providence and other Masonic imagery. Courtesy of SRMML.

For Freemasons, the meaning behind the Eye of Providence remains similar to the early days of Speculative Masonry. It’s a reminder of the Great Architect of the Universe watching over us and that we must continue living up to the standards and ideals of our brotherhood and uphold our tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth in all things. As members of this venerated fraternity, we must stay committed to our values and allow the Grand Architect’s Eye of Providence to guide our actions and carry them out with humility and love. We hope that with this article, Brothers are now armed with the knowledge to clarify the meaning behind the symbol and how it can impact our lives.