16 Oct Eye Idol, circa 3700 – 3500 B.C., Tell Brak, Levant

Thousands of “Eye Idols” figurines have been found in a building now called the “Eye Temple” in Tell Brak in northeastern Syria.

Without mouths or ears, but always with eyes, these objects suggest a deity that can see but not hear or speak.

The deity sees the world as it is, unaffected by what people say it is.

The deity often is depicted with multiple eye, suggesting it has multiple perspectives; the hallmark of wisdom.

As wisdom cannot be conveyed with words, it has no mouth with which to speak.