Saint Lucy's Eye Ring Mounted on Copper

EYE OF ST. LUCIA

The Eye of St. Lucia is the fruit of the 'work' of a marine species, a mollusc called Astraea rugosa. The mollusc secretes a substance that enables it to build its house, the shell, and the Occhio di santa lucia, or 'the doorway' to its shell. The Eye is nothing more than a small calcareous operculum that serves the mollusc to protect itself until its death, after which it detaches and is carried away by the currents. The mollusc is found throughout the Mediterranean. This small operculum has been attributed a beneficial ability on the energy flows that flow through our entire body. A symbol of wisdom and knowledge, it is the emblem of movement and development along with the ability to protect us from malignant forces by increasing positive energies. The Occhio di Santa Lucia, in Italian folk tradition is one of the most commonly used amulets against the evil eye. It is also believed to defend us against diseases of the eye, hence the association with Santa Lucia, protector of the eyes.