Line #66 Main/EyeMotifs


1	[[quoteright:350:[[Creator/TakashiMurakami https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/jellyfish_eyes_eye_motif.png]]]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:''Jellyfish Eyes'' by Takashi Murakami]]
3
4	->''"A thousand eyes\
5	Open inside\
6	To grant me sight to see the end\
7	The more I behold\
8	The further I fold\
9	Into the madness I descend"''
10	-->-- '''Music/MiracleOfSound''', "[[VideoGame/{{Bloodborne}} A Thousand Eyes]]"
11
12	The eyes are the window to the soul, or so we're often told. It's probably not surprising, then, that eyes are one of the most common BodyMotifs.
13	When eyes turn up in a symbolic role, they are normally linked to themes of perception, vigilance, and, occasionally, [[ThirdEye psychic powers]]. On a more ominous level, eyes can be linked to deception, illusion, [[OmniscientCouncilOfVagueness secret societies]] holding [[ThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow forbidden eye-opening knowledge]], and/or [[BigBrotherIsWatching being under constant surveillance]]. They are also linked to appearances -- both the superficial and the ability to see something's true nature.
14
15	As with all motifs, the motif can take the form of an ''actual'' eye, or simply a symbol of one: for example, a tattoo, a piece of jewellery or other MacGuffin, or a sign on a wall. It's also worth remembering that eyes are [[EyeScream extremely vulnerable]], so the motif might be the absence of an eye. In such circumstances, the theme may become blindness (both literal and metaphorical) and compromised perception.
16
17	Compare ThirdEye, where an extra eye gives supernatural powers due to symbolism (and thus, motif) regarding the eyes.
18
19	----
20	!!Examples:
21
22	[[foldercontrol]]
23
24	[[folder:Animation]]
25	* ''Animation/AgentAli'': The large expressive eyes used in this show tie into the development of the titular protagonist. Ali uses a pair of [[GogglesDoSomethingUnusual enhanced goggles called the IRIS]] (Infinite Retinal Intelligence System), which was made by MATA ([[MeaningfulName an acronym which spells the Malay word for eye]]), the agency that discreetly watches over and protects the city of Cyberaya. The movie has Ali's eyes opened to certain truths, and also concludes his struggle with using the IRIS' "Override Mode" (a SuperMode which takes over him and makes his eyes glow white [[spoiler:until he finally controls it]]). Further hammering the motif is the theme song "Bukalah Matamu" (which means "Open Your Eyes").
26	[[/folder]]
27
28	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
29	* ''Manga/AttackOnTitan'' places a lot of emphasis on eyes, mainly in the anime. It's subtle, but it's there.
30	* ''Manga/{{Basilisk}}'' has a clear obsession with eyes. Three characters have magical powers based in their eyes much like the mythical basilisk. Four characters are blind, at least temporarily, and in every case the blindness is central to the story.
31	* ''Manga/BlackClover'': The Eye of the Midnight Sun's symbol is three yellow eyes. The core members of the group are the Third Eye, who each have a hidden ThirdEye because they were reincarnated via Forbidden Magic.
32	* Creator/{{CLAMP}} ''loves'' making characters lose an eye, to the extent that it has become something of a running joke in the fandom. So far, the count goes: [[spoiler:Seishiro Sakurazuka]] in ''Manga/TokyoBabylon'', [[spoiler:Subaru Sumeragi]] in ''Manga/{{X 1999}}'', [[spoiler:Fay D. Flourite and Xiaolang]] in ''Manga/TsubasaReservoirChronicle'' [[spoiler:Kimihiro Watanuki and Shizuka Doumeki]] in ''Manga/XXXHolic'', and [[spoiler:Koukuyo]] in ''Manga/{{Wish}}''.
33	* ''Anime/DeathParade'' has a lot of body motifs but eyes are by far the most obvious ones:
34	** The human characters have more realistic eye shapes and colors than the [[{{Psychopomp}} Arbiters]] to differentiate them. The Arbiters’ BigAnimeEyes are ColorCodedForYourConvenience and also serve to symbolize their exaggerated StockCharacter status, compared to the more realistic human characters we see.
35	** Arbiter’s eyes also have pale CreepyCrosses around their pupils that suppress their emotions and aid in analyzing memories of the dead. Overlaps with FourIsDeath.
36	** There is a lot of focus on character’s eyes when they [[EyeRecall recall traumatic memories]], are about to [[ThisIsUnforgivable cross a line]], or want to [[MeaningfulLook silently express their feelings]] where words are not enough.
37	* Charismon from ''Anime/DigimonUniverseAppMonsters'' is covered in eyes and [[DroneDeployer summons swarms of eye-themed drones]]. In addition to him being a [[Anime/DigimonFrontier Duskmon]] expy, the eyes represent SinisterSurveillance within the [[QuirkyMinibossSquad Ultimate Four]]'s dystopian motif.
38	* Pride in ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist''. Most of his attacks involve shadows, which are depicted as covered in eyes.
39	** In addition every alchemist who had performed human transmutation must give up a part of their body symbolic of their motivations.
40	*** [[spoiler:Roy, who always looked towards the future, lost his eyesight.]]
41	* ''Anime/{{Hellsing}}'' uses several Eye Motifs.
42	** [[InvincibleHero Alucard]] is able to summon a [[LovecraftianSuperpower black mass]] with thousands eyes in it. As stated later each eye represents a life (human or non-human) that Alucard [[LifeDrinker absorbed]] at some point in his unlife. [[spoiler:It is later implied, that he is no longer himself by adapting parts of the others personalities. After Alucard absorbs [[MeaningfulName Schrödinger's]] life, he has to perceive himself in order to exist, which is no longer possible since his life is one of three million in himself. Right before Alucard stops existing the eyes close.]]
43	** Whenever [[NaiveNewcomer Seras]] uses her vampire powers her eyes turn from blue to red. [[spoiler:After accepting [[IAmWhatIAm her vampire-self]] and sucking [[BadassNormal Pip Bernadotte's]] blood, her eyes turn red permanently.]] However this can also be a case of RedEyesTakeWarning.
44	* ''Anime/NadiaTheSecretOfBlueWater'': There are creepy yellow eye symbols [[SigilSpam everywhere you look]] when it comes to Neo Atlantis.
45	* ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'':
46	** Eyes are its most obvious body theme.
47	*** Dojutsu (literally "Eye Techniques") are a recurring ability within the story with the Sharingan, Byakugan and Rinnegan being chief among them.
48	*** Characters with AnimalMotifs tend to have irises which signify these traits. Naruto himself gains fox-like eyes and irises when his SuperpoweredEvilSide takes over, and Toad Sages like Jiraiya gain frog eyes and eye shadow (Naruto later combines both this and the fox eyes to create an all new look), and both Orochimaru and [[spoiler:Kabuto]] gain snake eyes as they gain power.
49	*** Some one-off characters (such as Priestess Shion in the first ''Shippuden'' movie) have special eyes or irises that signify their unique powers or status.
50	*** Even without that, you have several instances where characters are able to learn a lot about someone else by looking directly into their eyes. A good example is during Gaara and Sasuke's first meeting.
51	* ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' and ''[[Anime/RebuildOfEvangelion Rebuild]]'' features several including: SEELE's logo, Asuka's EyeScream of [=EoE=] (and it's reference to it in Rebuild), Sahaquiel and several more if one looks for them.
52	** Every vampire has a ThirdEye that can aim perfectly over several miles though darkness and see through any kind of illusion.
53	* ''Anime/SerialExperimentsLain'' uses the size of the characters' pupils to indicate their varying states of mind as The Wired becomes more and more connected to the real world.
54	* The mysterious entity in ''Anime/ShamanicPrincess'' known as the Throne of Yord can take the form of anything it wants, but if it has a true form, it would be an eye. There are numerous stylized eye images used represent it, from a giant, multi-colored, eye-shaped stained glass window to a primitive stone carving.
55	* In ''Manga/SoulEater'' Asura the [[HumanoidAbomination Kishin]] has a symbol which consists of three eyes turned on their sides. Pretty relevant since his "thing" is madness (distorted perception) born from paranoia (hence the extra eye). People who're going insane frequently hallucinate faces (their own and others) being replaced with one with the symbol in place of its eyes.
56	* In the anime version of ''VideoGame/SengokuBasara'', Kojuro is frequently referred to as the "Dragon's Right Eye", since he is TheLancer to Masamune and helps the half-blind Masamune "see" beyond the fighting and battles.
57	* ''Manga/TegamiBachiLetterBee'' has an eye motif going on: One of Lag's eyes was replaced by a piece of amber when he was a baby; Ninche and [[spoiler:her sister]] both have cat-like eyes; [[EyePatchOfPower Dr. Thunderstone]] and [[spoiler:one other survivor of the airship crash]] are missing one eye each; the twin gate keepers are missing both eyes.
58	* Each [[MacGuffin Millennium Item]] except for the Millennium Key in ''Manga/YuGiOh'' has an eye on it somewhere.
59	* The [[AncientArtifact Jagan Eye]] in ''Manga/YuYuHakusho'' is one of Hiei's major themes - it gives him several mental powers, as well as glowing when he uses Dark Flame techniques.
60	[[/folder]]
61
62	[[folder:Comic Books]]
63	* In ''ComicBook/TheSandman1989'', [[EyeScream eye injury]] as a common motif has been commented on by [[Creator/NeilGaiman the creator]]. The Corinthian, Fiddler's Green and the Ravens, the first murder of Abel we see, even Despair's constant picking at her face all count.
64	** There's also the fate of one of the students in the boy's school full of... former students, in ''Season of Mists''. He died choking on his own vomit, as he informs us, and we see his eyeball hanging out of its socket down his cheek. Fun stuff. It's PlayedForLaughs, though -- his eye doesn't pop out until he's smacked on the back of a head by a grumpy former headmaster.
65	** Then there's the girl in ''Preludes and Nocturnes'' who stabbed herself in the eyeballs with some sort of skewery things while being mind-controlled.
66	[[/folder]]
67
68	[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
69	* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Coraline}}'', there is a lot of focus on the eyes, as they're replaced by buttons in the Other World and represent a DealWithTheDevil, ans just as much focus goes to hand imagery and spoken allusions to hands, as a hand is the villain's very last resort.
70	* Eyes figure prominently throughout ''WesternAnimation/KuboAndTheTwoStrings''. Kubo had his eye taken from him by his grandfather, his mother gains a long scar across her left eye [[spoiler: that is duplicated on Monkey's right as a clue to her identity]], one of the armor pieces is kept in the sea among eye yokai, and [[spoiler: the Moon King becomes a human with one working eye after the climax of the film, having been blind (both literally and figuratively) beforehand.]]
71	* Eyes are emphasized at several important points in ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed'':
72	** When Mei [[spoiler:wakes up as a red panda]], it's indicated by an EyeOpen shot followed by an EyeCam view of her room.
73	** In the temple, as Ming shows Mei her panda-talisman necklace, the talisman is [[ReflectiveEyes reflected in Mei's eyes]].
74	** When [[spoiler:panda-Mei and panda-Ming confront each other at the 4*Town concert]], there is a rapid back-and-forth of {{Extreme Closeup}}s that emphasize their angry red eyes.
75	** Seconds later, Mei gets up close and personal with her mother, [[spoiler: perching on panda-Ming's nose and yelling directly into her gigantic eye.]]
76	** WideEyesAndShrunkenIrises are frequently used to indicate strong emotions for all the characters.
77	[[/folder]]
78
79	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
80	* ''Film/BladeRunner'':
81	** The use of a "shining eyes" technique is deliberately used by the film directors to denote replicants (Androids) and man-made animals giving the aesthetics view of a lens' flare.
82	** The film opens with the futuristic landscape reflected in the close-up of an eye. When the Tyrell building comes into view, it evokes the image of the pyramid with the all-seeing eye above it. Replicants can be recognized by an eye exam. Photographs (the eye of the camera) are important to Replicants. Pris' makeup is all white, except for a strip of red across her eyes. The Replicants locate Tyrell via the man who made their eyes. [[spoiler:When Batty finally meets Tyrell, he gouges his eyes out. When Batty dies, he tells Decker of the wonders his eyes have seen.]]
83	* In ''Film/TwoThousandOneASpaceOdyssey'', HAL communicates via the red eye of its camera, and we see the lightshow of the stargate reflected in Bowman's eye.
84	* Eyes are a motif in ''Film/MinorityReport''. Among them:
85	** The pre-cogs "see" crimes before they happen in their mind's eye.
86	** People's eyes are constantly scanned at checkpoints for identity verification.
87	** Anderton has his eyes replaced to hide his identity from scanners and the spiders.
88	** In the opening sequence, the "pre-criminal" Howard Marks returns home for his glasses ("You know how blind I am without them"), only to find his wife in bed with another man.
89	*** Earlier his son plunges a pair of scissors through the eyes of a cardboard picture of Abraham Lincoln, the same instrument Howard later attempts to drive into his unfaithful wife's eyes.
90	** The drug dealer who sells Anderton his narcotics has no eyes so he cannot be identified.
91	** Agatha asks Anderton several times throughout the film, "Can you see?", a physical as well as metaphysical question.
92	** "The eyes of the nation are upon us," Director Burgess tells Anderton in warning him about the upcoming vote on the Pre-Crime Unit.
93	** Whenever the cops see Anderton (or any other pre-criminal), they say, "We have eyes on him."
94	* In ''Film/RedEye'', the camera has an appropriate fixation with Creator/RachelMcAdams' eyes, which are gradually turning all red and veiny as she stays up all night. The camera also likes Creator/CillianMurphy's eyes, which remain icy-blue.
95	** Many films featuring Creator/CillianMurphy focus on his eyes, because, [[HypnoticEyes well...]]
96	* Eyes are a recurring motif in ''Film/{{The Batman\|2022}}'':
97	** Bruce Wayne has developed sophisticated nano-cameras that fit inside contact lenses. In one scene he has Selina wear them so she can be his "eyes" inside 44 Below.
98	** Gotham's entire drug trade seems to be wrapped up in "drops", a FantasticDrug administered through eyedrops. (How many Gothamites have been saved from addiction by their blink reflex?)
99	** The Riddler is a FourEyesZeroSoul psychopath whose followers copy both his Army surplus facemask and his thick translucent glasses.
100	[[/folder]]
101
102	[[folder:Literature]]
103	* In ''Literature/{{The Outsiders}}'', all of the Greasers have descriptions early on in the book. This book also likens the colors green and gold. Ponyboy, Darry, and Cherry all have green(ish) eyes and are therefore "gold"
104	* In ''Literature/ASeriesOfUnfortunateEvents'', the symbol for VFD is [[http://ih0.redbubble.net/image.13514370.7340/fc,550x550,white.u1.jpg "VFD" written in a font that makes it look like an eye]].
105	* The Eye of Sauron in ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings''. Sauron probably isn't a literal giant, flaming eyeball as in the film adaptations, but the red eye is nonetheless the symbol his {{Mooks}} use.
106	* The TopGod on the ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' is Blind Io, who has no eyes in his own head but has hundreds of disembodied ones which float about at his will, gathering information throughout the world. As such, his symbol is an eye or flock of eyes.
107	* In ''Literature/{{Illuminatus}}'', the eye in the pyramid is the symbol of the Illuminati.
108	* Eyes appear as a motif in ''Literature/TheGreatGatsby'', especially those of a billboard.
109	* In ''Literature/HarryPotter'', the titular character has his mother's green eyes. This probably reflects his "deepest nature" being more like his mother than his father, despite his outward appearance mostly resembling James.
110	* In ''Literature/TheBluestEye'', the main character longs to have blue eyes. Eyes also appear symbolically in the story in the form of a flashlight and film projector.
111	* Eyes have become a symbol of George Orwell's ''Literature/NineteenEightyFour'' because BigBrotherIsWatching.
112	* In Franchise/{{Dune}}, a side effect of using the drug Melange is that your eyes turn blue.
113	* In ''Literature/HorusHeresy'', the Eye of Horus becomes the symbol of Luna Wolves upon their renaming into Sons of Horus, is worn by namy [=SoH=] officers upon their breastplates even before renaming, and is {{Sigil Spam}}med into everything connected to Horus. On a more meta note, it's also the official symbol of the series.
114	* In Margaret Atwood's ''Literature/TheHandmaidsTale'', the SecretPolice of [[PeoplesRepublicOfTyranny The Republic of Gilead]] are named The Eyes of God.
115	* In the 2013 Sci-Fi novel ''Literature/TheImpairment'', eyes are a recurring theme, with the concept of "perception" and how we "see or view" people to be something of an [[{{Anvilicious}} ideal]]. College professor Norman Oswald goes out of his way to humiliate two of his own students, [[JerkAss two nasty and judgmental students that is]], to drive home his point how [[WeirdnessMagnet Kyle Griffin]]'s peers are wrong to jump to the conclusion that he is guilty of the murder of his roommate Zack Oliver, who we know was killed by an extra-terrestrial. Attention is also drawn to many characters' eyes, in which we see emotions their faces may not be showing. Through Kyle's eyes we see extra-terrestrials, which are linked to the one he saw kill his roommate. The flask that Kyle is given also has a mesmerizing eye engraved in it.
116	* In ''Literature/WyldersHand'', the self-serving lawyer Josiah Larkin is constantly described as having pink, rat-like eyes, and the predatory Stanley Lake as having yellow eyes resembling those of an eagle.
117	[[/folder]]
118
119	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
120	* In ''Series/HerculesTheLegendaryJourneys'', Hera, the queen of the gods, appears as a pair of floating eyes, which are also peacock feathers.
121	* The 2017 Netflix adaption of ''Series/ASeriesOfUnfortunateEvents'' features the VFD Eye with a much greater presence than the books.
122	* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'':
123	** Lampshaded by Caleb when he tells [[spoiler: Xander]], "I hear you're the guy who sees everything," just before [[EyeScream gouging out one of his eyes]].
124	* ''Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower'': Eye-themed imagery of Sauron is a recurring element, signifying his looming presence as the 'Lidless Eye', despite his disappearance.
125	** The crater formed by The Stranger's arrival is the shape of a giant flaming eye.
126	** The Dweller's MagicStaff features an Eye of Sauron symbol.
127	** Episode 7 is named "The Eye", and Queen Miriel loses her sight — perhaps permanently — when she's hit with a blast of burning cinders after Mount Doom erupts.
128	** All of Halbrand's {{Meaningful Look}}s and {{Held Gaze}}s with Galadriel, [[spoiler:after we learn he is Sauron.]]
129	** The Mithril thrown onto Finrod's melted dagger suggests Hellish Pupil.
130	** The final scene of Season 1 is a transition from the Three Elven Rings to Mount Doom reflecting in Sauron's green eyes.
131	* ''Series/{{Lost}}'' devotes a lot of attention to eyes, such as episodes beginning with an eye opening, Locke's comment of having "looked into the eye of this island," and a tendency for DiesWideOpen moments. There's also a motif of lost limbs: Montand's arm, Martha Toomey's leg, Pierre Chang's arm, Ray's arm, etc. Then there's Mikhail's eye, which fits both motifs.
132	* ''Series/TheNightOf'': Eyes and vision are a recurring theme.
133	** Nasir's large, brown, innocent eyes are frequently focused on and sometimes commented on.
134	** The stuffed horse head's glass eye is given several insert shots, including one in the opening credits.
135	** CCTV camera footage factors heavily into the story.
136	** Andrea DiesWideOpen, as seen in many coroner photographs.
137	** Characters are frequently shown fixedly staring at things, particularly on "the night of," with plot significance:
138	*** Duane Reade stares at Andrea and Nasir going into Andrea's house, leading characters to wonder if he was planning to rob them.
139	*** The coroner stares at Andrea for a while, leading characters to wonder if he'd developed a spontaneous grudge against her.
140	*** In the final episode, Box watches CCTV footage of Andrea glancing at something off-screen, giving him a lead. He freeze-frames on her looking into the camera.
141	*** Nasir receives many a DeathGlare from people in prison and his own community.
142	* ''Series/DoctorWho'': Series 10/Season 36 uses this quite a lot:
143	** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS36E1ThePilot "The Pilot"]]: Heather has a heterochromatic defect in her iris.
144	** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS36E5Oxygen "Oxygen"]]: Due to being exposed to the vacuum of space, the Doctor is [[spoiler:blinded]], which causes [[Recap/DoctorWhoS36E7ThePyramidAtTheEndOfTheWorld major issues]] for him.
145	** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS36E7ThePyramidAtTheEndOfTheWorld "The Pyramid At the End of the World"]]: The {{Cliffhanger}} revolves around the Doctor having not told Bill that he [[spoiler:was still blind]] after the events of [[Recap/DoctorWhoS36E5Oxygen "Oxygen"]]. In addition, the plague that he is trying to keep from being released was created by two scientists with impaired eyesight (one had broken her reading glasses, and the other was hungover).
146	** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS36E12TheDoctorFalls "The Doctor Falls"]]: This episode contains the ArcWords of "Where there's tears, there's hope." Also, near the end we see the exploding solar farm reflected in the Doctor's eye, and [[spoiler:Heather's]] eye serves to tell the audience that [[spoiler: she's come back]].
147	* ''Franchise/KamenRider'':
148	** ''Series/KamenRiderGhost'' is all about this, with eyeball-like [[TransformationTrinket Eyecons]] serving as the power source of both the heroes and the [[MonsterOfTheWeek Gamma]], as well as eyes being prominently featured on the chests of each of the Riders, with the Ghost Driver looking like a one-eyed face when an Eyecon is active.
149	** The staff of the Desire Grand Prix in ''Series/KamenRiderGeats'' are all named after terms related to eyes; Win[[note]]from "Wink"[[/note]], Samas[[note]]from "Samasu", which can be used to refer to eyes opening in Japanese[[/note]], [[MissionControl Tsumuri]][[note]]from "Tsumuru", related to eyes closing[[/note]], Niramu[[note]]which means "to gaze"[[/note]], Girori[[note]]from the onomatopoeia for glaring[[/note]], Mitsume[[note]]from "Mitsumeru", which means "to stare"[[/note]], Chirami[[note]]from the slang for glancing[[/note]], [[spoiler:[[BigBad Suel]][[note]]from "Misueru", which means "to fix [one's gaze] on"[[/note]], and Jitto[[note]]from "Jii", the onomatopoeia for staring[[/note]].]] This extends to their [[KillerGameMaster Kamen Riders]] ''Glare''/2 and ''Gaze''r, who transform using the ''Vision'' Driver.
150	[[/folder]]
151
152	[[folder:Music]]
153	* One of the recurring motifs in Music/RonnieJamesDio's music is eyes.
154	* {{K-Pop}} {{Girl Group}} Music/{{LOONA}} has a subunit called ODD EYE CIRCLE - no guesses as to what visual motif keeps popping up in their music videos. What makes the eye "odd" is the glowing halo rimmed around their pupil.
155	* Shizen no Teki-P (Jin)'s Franchise/KagerouProject centers around eyes.
156	[[/folder]]
157
158	[[folder:Myths & Religion]]
159	* Argus Panoptes from Greek mythology; the giant with many eyes (100 eyes to be exact, spread out all over his body), who was the watcher of Io.
160	* The [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_of_Providence Eye of Providence]] is an eye symbol usually combined with a pyramid or triangle, which was originally used by the Horus cult of ancient Egypt. It was adopted by gnostic Christianity, and has since become representative of TheIlluminati and later Freemasonry. It is part of the Great Seal of the United States of America. The idea of the eye as symbolic of omniscience or mystical intelligence probably originates from this.
161	* The [[AncientEgypt ancient Egyptian]] Eye of Horus was a symbol of protection. It morphed into the physician's "Rx" logo, at least according to some theories.
162	[[/folder]]
163
164	[[folder:Theater]]
165	* Eyes are arguably the most prominent motif in ''Theatre/OedipusTheKing'' and, to a lesser extent, the whole trilogy. The most famous example of this is Oedipus [[spoiler: ripping his own eyes out of his head.]]
166	* In [[Theatre/CharlieAndTheChocolateFactory the 2013 musical adaptation]] of ''Literature/CharlieAndTheChocolateFactory'', Willy Wonka's songs and dialogue are rife with references to sight and eyes, reflecting his gift for imagining amazing things and making them manifest in the real world (that is to say, he's a [[{{Pun}} visionary]]). This motif is most prominent in his first song, the Act One closer "It Must Be Believed to Be Seen".
167	* Sophocles' ''Theatre/OedipusRex'' is full of references to eyes, sight and blindness; echoing Oedipus' fate.
168	[[/folder]]
169
170	[[folder:Video Games]]
171	* The Reaverbots of ''VideoGame/MegaManLegends'' are usually associated with their round red eye, with Reaverbot bosses having the eye shown in their health bars. [[spoiler:Eden]] at the end of the first game also has a large eye symbol on its underside.
172	** These Reaverbot eyes also show up in Hyleg Ourobockle's and Burble Hekelot's stages in ''VideoGame/MegaManZero 2''.
173	* In ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' series, Ganondorf, Agahnim, and the Sheikah Tribe tend to have a recurring eye motif. Vaati, however, takes the cake, with most of his OneWingedAngel forms being based around an eye. In ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheMinishCap The Minish Cap]]'', when he [[spoiler:takes over Hyrule Castle]], he even decorates the place with eye markings.
174	* Many ''{{VideoGame/Kirby}}'' enemies and bosses have prominent eye motifs; ex. Kracko, Waddle Doo, Wheelie, etc. They are especially prominent in a number of final boss {{One Winged Angel}} forms; ex. Drawcia Soul, Magolor Soul, Zero, and Dark Nebula.
175	* In the ''VideoGame/{{Diablo}}'' franchise, the seal of the Horadrim order includes what could be a pair of very stylised eyes, dripping, within a triangle.
176	* In ''VideoGame/TheTalosPrinciple'', the Milton Library Assistant, a "[[UnreliableExpositor helpful]]" computer program, takes the form of an ASCII representation of an eye when it has something to say.
177	* Throughout ''VideoGame/EnvironmentalStationAlpha'', the design of various characters, their attacks, and the environment itself have a reccuring single eye motif.
178	* ''VideoGame/{{Bloodborne}}'': Blood is, obviously, a major body motif in this game, but so are eyes. The former is where most of the Hunter's standard abilities come from -- you heal yourself with blood, make ''bullets'' out of blood, level up with "Blood Echoes", ect. -- and it's implied [[spoiler: that both the Hunters and the Beast Plague were created from experiments with the blood of an EldritchAbomination]]. The latter, on the other hand, is used as a symbol of mankind's inability to fully grasp the world around them with their basic senses as well as the way to overcome this limitation: [[TheseAreThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow Insight]]. Several factions in the game are trying to gain cosmic knowledge [[spoiler: like the [[EldritchAbomination Great Ones]]]], with the term "eyes on the inside" coming up a lot. The act of gaining Insight (which is synonymous with GoMadFromTheRevelation) is repeatedly referred to as "growing eyes [[EyesDoNotBelongThere on the brain]]", and it's heavily implied this is to be taken ''literally''.
179	* There are a lot of characters missing eyes in ''VideoGame/MetalGear''. The series is heavy on symbolism, so it's probably meant to mean something, but what that something ''is'' is left for fans to bicker over.
180	* ''VideoGame/RType'' makes a lot of eyes, such as Bydo ships firing disembodied eyeballs (complete with optic nerves, which makes some people think they're spermatozons), and the eye is a weak point for several bosses.
181	* ''VideoGame/{{Deltarune}}'' features multiple characters with their eyes hidden, which are revealed during important parts of their arcs, as well as including images of closed and open eyes in backgrounds and parts of puzzles.
182	* In ''VideoGame/SuperLesbianAnimalRPG'' Javis is a strange reality warping wizard with a VHS tape for a head with a single piercing eye in the middle of it. His four "sons" carry this single eye motif, despite being based off different objects. Much of the ancient machinery in the Celestial Wasteland also is covered in eye symbols, but it's unclear if this machinery is related to Javis, or just a coincidence. [[spoiler:The machinery was built by a group called the Halcyon Corporation, so the eye may simply be their logo or motif instead.]]
183	* In ''VideoGame/LittleNightmares'', [[EldritchLocation the Maw]] is riddled with eye designs, usually on doors. One common trap are spotlight-eyeballs that apparently turn their victims to stone. The massive gate [[spoiler: to the main entrance Six eventually walks out]] is adorned with a large stone eye. The game's logo is Six standing in the iris of an eye.
184	* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyCrystalChroniclesEchoesOfTime'' features eyes heavily, often in conjunction with the works of BigBad Larkeicus. The final gate in dungeons is a golden eye with a keyhole for a pupil, lasers are emitted from an eye-shaped aperture, golems have large eyes, etcetera.
185	[[/folder]]
186
187	[[folder:Web Comics]]
188	* In ''Webcomic/BeyondTheEnd'', Michael and Lucifer are frequently represented by Judgement and Purity respectively; two many eyed divine beasts. The many eyes that adorn these creatures are used as shorthand for them and their respective factions.
189	* In ''Webcomic/{{Drowtales}}'', the [[http://wiki.drowtales.com/index.php/Val%27Kyorl%27solenurn Val'Kyorl'solenurn clan]]'s symbol is the eye of an aware. It's embroidered onto the front lower panel of clothing and battle flags, as well as tattooed onto the forehead.
190	** The symbol of the imperial family is nine gemstones shaped like eyes.
191	* In ''Webcomic/CharbyTheVampirate'' King Roderick and his retinue wear cloaks with clasps that look like red eyes with slit pupils.
192	* ''Webcomic/GunnerkriggCourt'' places a lot of emphasis on the eyes: Reynardine possesses people through their eyes, it's been hinted that the fact that Annie wears eye shadow is significant, the local RingOfPower is called a "Blinker Stone," the forest is populated by "glass-eyed men," and several characters obscure their eyes--most notably Zimmy with her HiddenEyes, but Mr. and Mrs. Donlan count too, with thick eyeglasses and EyesAlwaysShut respectively. A supernatural FreakOut gives [[spoiler:Jack]] [[TheInsomniac apparently permanent insomniac eyes]]. Could be connected with the themes of illusion, searching and "not seeing things clearly," which are big of the plot.
193	** Regarding Annie's eye shadow: kohl (used, especially in ancient times, as eyeshadow), is also known as ''surma'', and it is often prepared using the mineral ''antimonite''.
194	** Coyote can be identified merely by his eyes. They have a very, very distinctive pattern. His grin is also very distinctive and usually seen along with the eyes, but his eyes are enough to know it's him. He also takes great joy in using his eyes in weird ways... like juggling them.
195	** Jeanne's green eyes match the green eyes of most of the robots, [[spoiler:presumably due to Diego's obsession with her]].
196	** When [[spoiler:Jones]] was with Coyote, he repeatedly called them "wandering eye".
197	** Recent additions to the cast have also put emphasis on the arms and hands. People in this comic who say they would "give their arm" for something are speaking literally. [[spoiler:Anthony willingly amputates his own right arm -- destroying his career as a surgeon and throwing away any future plans as a doctor in the process -- in a vain attempt to contact his wife and retrieve the past. Later, Ysengrin calmly sacrifices his left arm to Annie's flames of rage in order to reconnect her with her anger and fire-powers.]]
198	* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'': [[spoiler: Redcloak had a brother known as Righteye (no prizes for guessing why), whom he killed during the prequel book ''Start of Darkness''. Redcloak has now lost an eye himself, although the extent to which this will affect him is as yet unclear.]]
199	* Likewise, ''Webcomic/SupernormalStep'' uses an eye motif. [[LaResistance The Nameless]], an anti-[[StateSec Henderson Security]] group, is represented by a stylized eye. This eye appears all over the place, including on background characters (for example, Akela, a minor character, is almost guaranteed to get more development because she wears The Nameless's eye). Cecilia, the most important character so far, wears more detailed eye imagery on occasion. One can theorize that this represents how the resistance has eyes everywhere.
200	* In ''Webcomic/YokokasQuest'', Copycat's ShapeshifterDefaultForm features eye FacialMarkings and clothing patterns, as well as a (sort of) GameFace, where he occasionally reveals [[ExtraEyes additional glowing, stylized eyes]], [[EyesDoNotBelongThere which float around him]]. The [[ThirdEye Dreams (Fortune)]] element also appears to share a similar motif, judging from [[https://yokokasquest.com/comic/chapter-6-page-37/ the design]] on one of [[FortuneTeller Blinky's]] [[TarotTroubles tarot-like divination cards]] and [[https://yokokasquest.com/comic/chapter-6-page-43/ the symbol shown]] when she was handling her CrystalBall (this is incidentally also one of Copycat's two elemental affinities).
201	[[/folder]]
202
203	[[folder:Western Animation]]
204	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}}'': The Core's most prominent feature has to be its eyes, not only because of their sinister shape and color, but also because each eye represents a single mind in its collective. Additionally, it has eyes all over the place, from the walls of the castle to the ends of its tendrils. It even has one in Andrias's crown which allows it to communicate with him. Its eye also serves as the insignia of the Leviathan army, shaped like a diamond with two black rhombuses on either side giving the illusion that it is a crown.
205	* ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'': Throughout the series there are eye motifs and drawings all over the place. Later, the main antagonist is revealed to be basically a triangle with only one huge eye in its face. Turns out its an all-seeing dream demon that is probably watching you right now.
206	** The way to tell if someone is possessed by said demon is too look into their eyes, as their color changes to a faint yellow and the pupils turn to slits.
207	** The Society of the Blind Eye has this not only in its name but its symbol is that of a crossed-out eye.
208	[[/folder]]
209
210	[[folder:Real Life]]
211	* Creator/{{CBS}}'s corporate logo is a simplified eye. Sometimes played with in CBS Sports CGI, where the outer circle becomes a basketball, the cornea a football, and the iris a baseball or soccer ball.
212	* The Pinkerton National Detective Agency, the first private detective agency in America, used an all-seeing eye as its logo.
213	[[/folder]]

Context Main / EyeMotifs