Evil Eye

One of the many names given to the Red Eye used as a symbol of Sauron, representing the malevolent Eye of Barad-dûr that looked out over Middle-earth. As a heraldic sigil, the Evil Eye appeared in red, shown on a black field. It was widespread in Mordor, appearing on the banners and shields of those who served the Dark Lord directly. Through Sauron's malign influence over his homeland, it also appeared in less expected places, as for example on the backs of flies that lived within Sauron's Dark Land.

Sauron's symbol would not, of course, have been known as the 'Evil Eye' to those who served him. From the point of view of the Gondorians and others who resisted the Dark Lord's power, though, it represented the deepest evil. This was especially true for the Captains of the West, who saw the Evil Eye emblazoned on many black banners as they approached their final confrontation at the Morannon.