The Huichol God’s Eye and the Scottish Rowan tree cross

The cross of the ojo de dios ‘is that of the legendary four directions: earth, fire, water and air. It is not in any way the cross of Christ. [Huichol] art is directed to the gods of nature’ (Harvey, 1973: 11). Custom has it that the God’s eye should be placed close to the child’s head - a practice similar to that of placing a Scottish rowan tree cross under the pillow, to protect from evil spirits.
The Scottish cross amulets, however, had more extensive uses, being ‘formerly held in high repute in Scotland as powerful preservatives against witches, ghosts and kindred evils... the virtues of the rowan-tree being embodied in the following rhyme:-
’”Rowan-tree and red thread,
Puts the witches to their speed”’ (Black, 1893: 477). Red was considered the best colour for fighting magic forces, and ‘each [rowan] berry has a tiny five pointed star or pentagram opposite its stalk. The pentagram is an ancient protective symbol’ (treesforlife.org).
Such charms were commonly used in a variety of contexts:-
• in the lining of a person’s garment
• above the doors of homes and animals’ pens
• tied to the tails of cattle, to protect against witchcraft
• in fields to protect animals being struck by lightning.
The rowan tree (Sorbus aucuparia) is also known as the mountain-ash as it grows well at high altitudes and its leaves are similar to those of ash. Cutting down a rowan was considered taboo in Scotland.

Pic 2: A Scottish Rowan tree cross charm, photographed over the traditional Huichol God’s eye design (from Harvey 1973)

Picture sources:-
• Main: Image courtesy of and © National Museums Scotland (facsimile of the rowan tree cross with red thread, likely C19, National Museums Scotland collection)
• Pic 1: photo by Anaroza from Wikipedia (God’s eye)
• Pix 2 & 3: photos by Ian Mursell/Mexicolore
• Pic 4: photo courtesy of ActionAid, London.

Pic 4: And in India...