Oudjat eye
Origin
In transliteration of the hieroglyphic writing, irt means “eye” and wḏȝ , the verb meaning “to preserve” or the word “protection”. Irt oudjat , or more commonly oudjat , in transcription thus means “preserved eye”, the Eye of Horus in fact.
The Egyptologists generally consider that the figuration of the Oudjat Eye is an hybrid of human eye and eye of falcon: it combines parts of the human eye, conjunctive, pupil and eyebrow, with probably the spots in lower part of the eye of the falcon.
Symbolic system
According to the myth, Horus, wire of Isis and Osiris, would have lost an eye in the combat carried out against his/her uncle Seth to avenge his/her father that this last had assassinated. During the combat, Seth tore off the left eye to him, cut out it (in six pieces, according to a version of the legend) and threw the pieces in the Nile. Using a net, Thot fished out all the pieces except one. It miraculeusement compensated the 6th fragment missing to make it possible the eye to again function, thus returning to Horus its physical integrity.
The Oudjat Eye had a magic function been dependant on the Prophylaxie, the restoration of the complétude and the vision of “the invisible one”. It was represented on the sarcophagi and the pectoral ones. The innumerable amulets in form of Oudjat protected their carriers. At the time of the momification, the embalmers placed it on the incisions which they had practiced. The Oudjat Eye was also painted on the prows of the boats, enabling them “to see” and to hold their course.
Arithmetic
In arithmetic Egyptian, the constituent parts of Oudjat were used to write the fractions having 64 like common denominator and being used to measure the capacities and volumes:
The addition of the six fractions, 32/64 + 16/64 + 8/64 + 4/64 + 2/64 + 1/64, gives 63/64, the missing fraction being undoubtedly added magiquement by Thot.
This notation was employed to indicate the fractions of the bushel, the heqat , measurement of capacity of cereals.
Example:
The heqat was worth approximately 4,785 liters.
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