God's Eyes - (Ojo de Dios)

The Huichol Indians of Mexico have kept many of their old traditions in dress, religious ceremonies and lifestyle. Huichol culture is very rich in folk art. Nature is treated with much respect.

The Ojo de Dios is the most well known symbol. The Indians believe the design of the eye has the power to heal and to protect. The Ojo de Dios is hung on the wall and used in ceremonies and prayer. The colours used have different meanings: red - life itself; yellow - sun moon & stars; blue  - sky & water; brown - soil; green - vegetation; black - death. They can be used as good luck symbols.

I learned this at a Region Training in the Summer - we made some at camp.

Contributed by:
Eileen Kermode
Maghull, Liverpool, England

At Thinking Day last year, the troop that had the girls make God's Eyes said that in Mexico these were used to commemorate the birth of a child. The father made the center of the God's eye at the child's birth, so that God would watch the child.  At the first, second, and third birthdays, additional eyes are added to the "arms" to show that God is still watching. I guess that the assumption is that a child that makes it to three will probably live to be an adult.

Contributed by:
Jean Rothwell

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This page last updated October 8th, 1999