Eye of God...

[RuslanPashayev]

Dear Friends whats the tradition about the so called Eye of God at St Mary's Newchurch in Pendle?
Thanks Ruslan

[KGarrad]

There's an article here:
http://www.martintop.org.uk/blog/eye-god-newchurch-pendle

"The tower has an interesting feature called ‘the eye of God’, an eye-shaped carving in the tower wall. The local information boards trot out the idea that this was to ward off witches. Seventeenth century folk were certainly superstitious, but they weren’t stupid. If carvings could really keep witches away, every church in the country would have had one. More likely, it was carved so bell-ringers or their assistants could see approaching wedding and funeral parties, and wasn’t originally filled in. This is, after all, one of the few churches in the country that affords no views whatever of the road that approaches it."

[KGarrad]

Also mentioned on another site, blog of Dr David Harrison, History of NW England.
https://drdavidharrison.blogspot.com/2016/03/pendle-symbolism-magic-and-freemasonry.html

"In Newchurch there is a rich array of symbolism, the most prominent being what is referred to as the 'All-Seeing Eye' on the tower of St. Mary's Church. According to the Church literature, it is known as the 'Eye of God' and was used by the Wardens of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries as a viewpoint to watch for wedding or funeral processions approaching the Church. Another theory put forward is that it was a representation of the eye of God watching the locals. It is certainly made to look like an eye today, and it has become a popular tourist landmark. "

[RuslanPashayev]

hahaha I dont think freemasonry existed in the 1600's in Lancashire though

[RuslanPashayev]

all seeing eye is an old christian symbol...so is skull and bones...one is emblematic of god another is symbolic of the first human Adam...they have it at many churches all around the Europe.

[KGarrad]

The skull-and-crossbones ia a fairly common element on gravestones - and subject to many theories.
First time I've heard of it being connected to Adam, though!

[RuslanPashayev]

yeah its an old tradition usually when they depicted the Golgotha Cross...skull and bones (Adam's Death) under it and Jesus (Resurrection of son of god) on it.

[Rena]

Interestingly the church tower was restored in 1653 and the "Eye" may or may not have had a bearing on what occurred in 1612.

You might like to read up on the Pendle Witches.   "The trials of the Pendle witches in 1612 are among the most famous witch trials in English history, and some of the best recorded of the 17th century. The twelve accused lived in the area surrounding Pendle Hill in Lancashire, and were charged with the murders of ten people by the use of witchcraft"

[RuslanPashayev]

yeah they had witch trials all over the place...real reason was to threaten believers...keep them under total control, scary them to death...yeah some sort of medieval propaganda, hahaha.
Ingmar Bergman's The Seventh Seal covers that subject totally and completely...one of the heroes the man who was painting the church says - more horror images on the walls, that will scare them and keep them faithful believers.