What Does the Eye of Providence Icon Mean, and When to Pray With It?
While the icon of the Eye of Providence is quite new and non-canonical in Christianity, the symbol of the eye in a triangle is pretty old and has had many uses over the years. The Orthodox iconography of this type emerged in the 19th century, and it is still challenging to interpret. If you have such an icon at home, read this blog post to learn more about its profound meaning and when you should pray with it.
What does the Eye of Providence icon mean?
The composition of the icon includes the repetitive motif of the circle. Jesus Christ is depicted in the center, with four rays coming out of His circle. The central image also features the contours of the eyes, nose, and mouth, which appear between the rays. The image of the Mother of God with her hands outstretched in prayer and the image of God the Father are depicted above Jesus Christ.
The main idea of the icon is based on several Christian truths:
- God is the primary creator of all life on the earth and possesses all-encompassing power
- Jesus Christ is constantly watching over humanity
- The Mother of God is the protector of people
The Eye of Providence itself represents the Holy Trinity (triangle), God’s authority (eye), and eternal holiness (rays). It is a benevolent symbol that has long been valued as protection from evil and a symbol of good luck.
When to pray with this icon?
Although this type of Orthodox icons is rarely found in churches, many faithful have them at their homes. The image is usually kept in a special icon corner, along with the icons of Jesus Christ and the Mother of God. With the Eye of Providence icon, people pray to the Lord to confess their sins and when they are in need of something. It is believed that the icon protects from evil eyes, blindness, and helps cope with sight disorders. It is also a good gift for parents who want to get the wisdom to raise children.
While praying with the icon, one can read the Lord’s Prayer or the Canon of Repentance. Psalms of praise are a good choice as well. The all-seeing eye allows concentrating on the invisible rotation of circular spheres, thus helping focus thoughts on prayer.
The Eye of Providence icon has a lot of symbols and interpretations, so be sure to learn about it and its deep meaning in more detail.