By Stéphane Bataillon
The eye in the Bible
“The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is healthy (or good, simple), your whole body will be full of light” (Mat 6:22; Lk 11:34). In Christian tradition, the eye is both the physical organ that perceives external light and a spiritual conduit connected to the “eye of the heart,” which perceives divine truths. When focused on God and His law with simplicity and purity, the eye enables the soul to ascend toward divine light.
In Christianity, the eye often symbolizes God’s omnipresence, absolute knowledge, and universal vision. For example, an eye placed within an equilateral triangle evokes the Trinity and God’s unblinking, eternal oversight.
The eye in other spiritual traditions
Across cultures, the eye shares this symbolism of access to spiritual illumination. Among the Inuit, a shaman is called “the one who has eyes,” emphasizing visionary insight. In Indian Upanishads and Taoism, the right eye is linked to the sun (activity and the future), while the left eye connects to the moon (passivity and the past). Their fusion represents the third eye—a fiery symbol of wisdom (Prajñā-cakṣus) in Buddhism and the pathway to dharma (Dharmacakṣus), transcending the material to reach the divine.
The duality of vision
However, the eye’s symbolism is not solely positive. The gaze must be clear and generous. A “bad” or “sick” eye can lead to spiritual blindness, as Mat 6:23 warns: “If your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness.” This darkness stems from greed or a lack of generosity, which stifles the sharing of divine light, much like hiding a lamp under a basket (Mk 4:21-25, Lk 8:16-17).
In the Old Testament, a troubled or malevolent gaze invokes divine justice, as captured in Victor Hugo’s poem Conscience: “The eye was in the grave and watched Cain.”
The eye as a mirror of the soul
The eye’s form and expression also reflect a person’s spiritual and emotional qualities. This symbolism extends even to Japanese manga, where eyes often mirror the soul’s depth and emotions. In Japanese manga, characters often have disproportionately large eyes, symbolizing their role as “mirrors of the soul.” These expressive eyes convey emotions vividly, fostering empathy in readers. In romantic manga (shōjo), the eyes often enhance the joy and tenderness of love stories.
A radiant outlook on life
In times of tension, cultivating an enthusiastic and light-filled perspective on life can surpass the retributive “eye for an eye” principle from Ex (21:24). By embracing moments of shared joy and focusing on the good, the eye becomes not only a symbol of divine connection but also a tool for fostering a brighter, more harmonious existence. – La Croix International
