Bodywatching – The Eyes
26 October 2009
The eyes are the dominant sense organs of the human body. It has been estimated that 80 per cent of our information about the outside world enters through these remarkable structures. Despite all the talking and listening, we do remain essentially a visual animal.
Our eyes evolved to work efficiently at much longer distances than are usually encountered in modern life. Prehistoric men did not sit bent over desks poring over figures, reading small print or watching flickering images on screens. as they were hunters their eyes were more concerned with images in far distance.
Poor eyesight must have been a curse for many of our remote ancestors as the permanent strain of trying to see with defective vision causes severe migraines and headaches. Seneca, the Roman coonnoisseur of the art of rhetoric seems to have been the first person to attempt this problem. He managed to read his way through the libraries of Rome by using a ‘globe of water’ as a magnifying glass. This ingenious solution should have led to early development of eyeglasses but it failed to do so. Again in the thirteenth century, Roger Bacon observed that the use of a crystal or glass could be useful to those with weak eyes. But it was not until the the end of the century that the first spectacles started to appear in Italy.
People who believe in the importance of good and bad luck in their lives are often superstitious enough to decorate their rooms with eyes. These are known technically as ‘apotropaic eyes’ and have been used in one style or another for thousands of years. The idea behind them is that if the ‘evil eye’ comes to look upon the person in the room and brings bad luck with its glance, it can be out-stared by the other eyes present. Because they are un-blinking, artificial eyes, they will eventually be able to force the ‘evil eye’ to look away, and no harm will then come to the owner of the room.
Now, look at me.
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The above is reproduced freely from ‘BODYWATCHING, A Field Guide to the Human Species’ by Desmond Morris. Find out more about Desmond Morris here
Being born under this sign determines many talents, as well as other characteristics that may not be so commendable. Rats are very lively and need a lot of mental and physical stimulation. They can be calm and perceptive, but sometimes their brains can cause a mental restlessness, tempting them to take on too much, only to discover they are unable to meet their commitments. Rats are blessed with one of the best intellects going. Add to their intelligence a curiosity and a bright imagination, and they seem as sharp as a needle.
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of The Water Rat