Okay, picture this: you’re casually scrolling through TikTok, minding your own business, when suddenly you’re confronted with a dude who’s got just one eye smack-dab in the middle of his forehead and a single, bright red dreadlock sticking straight up like a flagpole. Yeah, it’s as bizarre as it sounds. This, my friends, is the Eye of Rah, and it’s the latest meme to completely take over the internet.
In the ever-evolving landscape of internet humor, a new meme has emerged, captivating audiences and dominating social media feeds. Known as the “Eye of Rah,” this viral sensation features a distinctive image of Rashad Bowens, a TikToker known as @lilbotheme, digitally altered to possess a single, cyclopean eye and a solitary red dreadlock standing erect.
The meme’s genesis can be traced back to another TikTok and Instagram user, Jeremiah Springfield. Inspired by the “Hood Cryptids” trend, Springfield took a video of Bowens, who is popular for his reaction stitches and unique red hair that often defies gravity, and transformed it into something bizarrely fascinating. The result? An image where Bowens sports a single, all-seeing eye and a hairstyle reminiscent of a flickering flame. This edit quickly became the defining visual of the “Eye of Rah” meme.
“Ay, yo, chill the fuck out, yo,” Bowens exclaims in the original video that served as the raw material for Springfield’s creation. This phrase has also become somewhat associated with the meme. However, it’s the striking visual, more than anything else, which propelled “Eye of Rah” into the viral stratosphere in early January 2025.
The “Eye of Rah” phenomenon exemplifies a broader trend in online content characterized by “brain rot” and “sludge.” These terms describe videos and memes that are often nonsensical, surreal, and difficult to explain to those outside the immediate online community. They represent a form of humor that thrives on absurdity and the rapid-fire blending of different meme formats. Indeed, “Eye of Rah” is frequently mashed up with other trending memes of the time, such as “Chopped Chin” and “I Bought a Property in Egypt,” further contributing to the chaotic and engaging nature of this online trend.
This particular meme serves as an indicator of the continued strength of “Hood Irony” in 2025. The trend showcases how digital humor continues to evolve, creating in-jokes and shared experiences that bind online communities together. The “Eye of Rah,” with its odd imagery and connection to broader internet trends, is a perfect example of how quickly and unexpectedly something can go viral in today’s fast-paced digital world. Even Know Your Meme took notice, publishing an interview with both Jeremiah Springfield and Rashad Bowens on January 10th, 2025, further solidifying the meme’s place in internet history.
So, what’s the deep meaning behind the ‘Eye of Rah’? Honestly, there isn’t one. It’s pure, unadulterated internet absurdity. It’s funny because it doesn’t make sense. The meme’s name is a playful reference to the Eye of Ra, an ancient Egyptian symbol. According to Study.com, the Eye of Ra represents the sun god Ra’s daughter and her vengeance on mankind.
The ‘Eye of Rah’ meme taps into that same vein of nonsensical humor that made the “Curse of Ra” and “Pharaoh’s Curse” memes so popular. These memes often involve ancient curses being inflicted on modern-day people, with hilarious and bizarre results.
Alright, let’s dive into the weird and wonderful world of the ‘Eye of Rah’ meme. You might’ve seen this bizarre image floating around your feeds - a dude with a single, cyclopean eye and a red dreadlock sticking straight up. But where did this digital oddity come from? The mastermind behind this viral sensation is a content creator named Jeremiah Springfield, who’s known for his, shall we say, unique editing style. He’s got this thing where he likes to give people one leg in his videos, just for kicks. You can find him posting his creations on TikTok and Instagram under the handle @frightenedsheep25937582.
Now, who’s the face of the meme? That would be Rashad Bowens, an aspiring boxer who also dabbles in making reaction videos on TikTok and Instagram. You can check out his stuff at @lilbotheme and @bothemess. He’s got this blunt, dry-humored way of reacting to things that’s, well, pretty entertaining. He’s the one Springfield chose to give the one eye treatment. Little did anyone know, especially Rashad, that this was the start of something big.
Okay, so let’s get into the nitty-gritty. It all started on December 11th, 2022, when Bowens posted a stitch on TikTok. In the clip, he interrupts a man who’s reacting to a cucumber being salted, and Bowens drops his now-famous line: “Ay, yo, chill the f**k out, yo!” This little video started gaining traction, eventually racking up over 597,700 views and 66,500 likes.
Fast forward to November 26th, 2024. This is when Springfield works his magic. He takes Bowens’ video and transforms him into a cyclops, complete with one eye in the middle of his forehead and a single red dread standing at attention. He posts this edited masterpiece on both TikTok and Instagram. And just like that, the ‘Eye of Rah’ meme is born.
The video takes off like a rocket. In just two months, it garners over 1.7 million plays and 283,800 likes on TikTok, and over 622,100 likes on Instagram. People are loving this weird, one-eyed creation.
Then, on November 28th, TikTok user @zketchum leaves a comment on Springfield’s video, simply saying, “eye of ra ✌️.” This comment, likely a nod to the “Curse of Ra” meme that was popular earlier, gets over 21,000 likes. And boom, the meme gets its name.
After January 2025, the “Eye of Rah” meme had fully integrated itself into the internet’s collective consciousness, frequently appearing alongside other popular trends like “I Bought a Property in Egypt” and “Chopped Chin.” These collaborations often resulted in what’s known as “brainrot” content—absurd, nonsensical videos designed for pure entertainment.
The ‘Eye of Rah’s’ journey to viral stardom is marked by several key moments. On December 22nd, 2024, Instagram user @skaxta posted a video featuring a single, fiery frame of Bowens as the cyclops, gaining over 451,100 likes in just 15 days.
As we entered January 2025, the meme continued to gain momentum. On January 3rd, Instagram user @mfpharaoh posted a video that followed the ‘Eye of Rah’ trend, amassing over 5,800 likes in three days. On the same day, TikToker @bobxiaohongshu shared a video with the text overlay “eye of rah core,” receiving over 247,900 plays and 10,400 likes in the same timeframe.
Then, on January 4th, TikToker @.bob911_ created a video that combined the ‘Eye of Rah’ with “I Bought a Property in Egypt” and “Chopped Chin,” achieving over 1.8 million plays and 285,500 likes in two days. Similar videos flooded both TikTok and Instagram.
The meme’s reach extended beyond TikTok and Instagram, making its way to Twitter (now X). On January 5th, user @Craftiest_ reposted an ‘Eye of Rah’ edit, captioning it, “We’re meant to be the most intelligent species BTW,” and gaining over 5,500 likes in a day.
Also on January 5th, Jeremiah Springfield himself posted a new ‘Eye of Rah’ video, this time riffing on the King Von Anti-Piracy Screen meme. This video garnered over 974,800 plays and 155,000 likes in a single day.
@frightenedsheep25937582 official part 2 of the eye of rah #CapCut #fyp ♬ original sound - Jeremiah Springfield
Since its inception, the ‘Eye of Rah’ meme has taken on a life of its own. The video was shared two months ago, but it’s really taken off on Instagram Reels and TikTok since the start of the new year. It’s been incorporated into countless other memes and trends, including “Chopped Chin” and “I Bought a Property in Egypt”. It has even been seen with people drinking Johnnie Walker with Tristan Tate. You’ll see it pop up in “sludge” videos, which are basically these chaotic, nonsensical edits that fall under the umbrella of “Hood Irony” or “Hood Lobotomy.”
For example, Instagram user @skaxta posted a version on December 22nd that featured a single frame of Bowens as the cyclops with some fiery CapCut effects. This post alone got over 451,100 likes.
Both Jeremiah Springfield and Rashad Bowens have commented on the meme’s unexpected success. Springfield, in a message to the Daily Dot, said, “I find the trend genuinely funny, i love how people take the video I edited of rashad bowens getting turned into a cyclope with one stiff red dread and make their own versions and remixes of it. Even tho i feel like i am not getting as much recognition for the original clip as i should, i am very glad people enjoy and laugh at the video and at the numerous videos that emerge with it.”
Bowens, on the other hand, sees the meme as a source of inspiration. He told the Daily Dot, “I think it’s really an eye opener for people that’s trying to do anything in life because all it took was one video and the right person to see it. And next thing you know I’m a viral sensation. It didn’t happen overnight but it definitely happened at the right time as soon as I thought about giving up on content I became global.”
The ‘Eye of Rah’ meme, featuring the now-iconic image of Rashad Bowens with a single, cyclopean eye and a gravity-defying red dreadlock, has undeniably taken the internet by storm. But this isn’t just another fleeting trend. It’s evolved into a cultural phenomenon, merging with other viral memes and sparking countless remixes and adaptations.
The ‘Eye of Rah’s’ popularity is intertwined with the rise of “brain rot” or “sludge” content. These videos, often described as “Hood Irony” or “Hood Lobotomy,” embrace absurdity and nonsense, defying traditional comedic norms. The ‘Eye of Rah’ fits perfectly into this genre, often appearing in videos alongside other bizarre trends. One notable example is the integration of the ‘Eye of Rah’ into the “I Bought a Property in Egypt” meme, where the original figure in the meme morphs into Bowens as the ‘Eye of Rah’. This fusion of memes exemplifies the chaotic and unpredictable nature of internet humor.
The ‘Eye of Rah’ meme’s success speaks volumes about the current state of internet culture. It’s a prime example of how quickly and unpredictably trends can emerge and spread. The meme’s ability to blend with other trends, its nonsensical nature, and its widespread adoption point to a shift in online humor, particularly among younger generations. This form of humor, often compared to modern-day Dadaism, finds its power in the lack of inherent meaning, creating a space for pure, unadulterated absurdity. The ‘Eye of Rah’ has tapped into this cultural zeitgeist, becoming a symbol of this new wave of internet humor. Bowens embracing his newfound internet fame is a testament to the meme’s impact.
While the meme’s name playfully references the ancient Egyptian “Eye of Ra” symbol, which represents power, protection, and vengeance, any deeper connection appears to be purely coincidental. The meme itself doesn’t seem to carry any significant mythological baggage. The ‘Eye of Rah’, much like the ‘Curse of Ra’ copypasta that inspired its name, thrives on the humorous juxtaposition of ancient imagery and modern internet culture. It’s this blend of the old and the new, the serious and the absurd, that has helped fuel the meme’s popularity. However, unlike some memes that draw inspiration from history, like the Ancient Aliens meme, the ‘Eye of Rah’ doesn’t delve into historical accuracy or deeper meaning.
The creators behind the ‘Eye of Rah’ meme, Jeremiah Springfield and Rashad Bowens, have both shared their thoughts on the phenomenon. Springfield, while happy with the meme’s popularity and the creative remixes it has inspired, has expressed a desire for more recognition for his role in its creation.
Bowens, on the other hand, has fully embraced his meme status, even changing his profile picture to the cyclops edit. He sees the meme’s success as an inspiration, a testament to the power of putting yourself out there and the unpredictable nature of the internet.
The ‘Eye of Rah’ meme continues to thrive, demonstrating the ever-evolving and unpredictable nature of internet culture. With millions of views across various platforms, it’s a testament to the power of creativity, the allure of the absurd, and the unifying force of shared online experiences. It remains a prime example of how a simple video edit can morph into a global phenomenon, capturing the attention of millions and solidifying its place in the annals of internet history. On January 10th, 2025, Know Your Meme published an interview with both Jeremiah Springfield and Rashad Bowens, further cementing the meme’s cultural significance.