lo nathamundi (asker) Nov 17, 2006:

"neck-eye," third eye(s), chakras, lizards...
even though it's literally, the 'neck-eye', does anyone know, do swedes ever use the term "nackögon/ öga" to refer to what people in english call the 'third eye'... as in...

[from wikipedia]
In Hinduism and Buddhism, the third eye is a symbol of enlightenment (see moksha and nirvana). The third eye is the ajna chakra (sixth chakra)also known as brow chakra or brow centre This is commonly denoted in Indian and East Asian iconography with a dot, eye or mark on the forehead of deities or enlightened beings, such as Shiva (God of Destruction), the Buddha, or any number of yogis, sages and bodhisattvas. This symbol is called the "Third Eye" or "Eye of Wisdom", or, in Buddhism, the urna. In Hinduism, it is believed that the opening of Shiva's third eye is the end of the universe.
Many Hindus wear a tilak between the eyebrows to represent the third eye.

how comparable is this to the english phrase "he's got eyes in the back of his head?"
the discrepancy between singular and plural?
why is it 'en' (singular) 'nacköga' (plural)?
"a set of eyes in the back of his head?"
also, anyone know the term in swedish for more biological-sounding term, 'parietal eye'?
'third eye' in swedish?

[also, from wikipedia...]
A parietal eye, also known as a parietal organ or third-eye is a part of the epithalamus present in some animal species. The eye may be photoreceptive and is usually associated with the pineal gland, regulating hormone production for thermoregulation.
The lizard like reptile tuatara has a "well-developed parietal eye, with small lens and retina"[1]. Parietal eyes are also found in lizards, frogs and lampreys, as well as some species of fish, such as tuna and pelagic sharks, where it is visible as a light-sensitive spot on top of their head.
...
The tuatara is a reptile of the family Sphenodontidae, endemic to New Zealand. The two species are the only surviving members of the Sphenodontians. The tuataras resemble lizards, but are equally related to lizards and snakes, which are their closest living relatives. For this reason, they are of great interest in the study of the evolution of lizards and snakes...
...
The tuatara has a third eye on the top of its head called the parietal eye. It has its own lens, cornea, retina with rod-like structures and degenerated nerve connection to the brain, suggesting it evolved from a real eye. The parietal eye is only visible in hatchlings, which have a translucent patch at the top centre of the skull. After four to six months it becomes covered with opaque scales and pigment.[2] Its purpose is unknown, but it may be useful in absorbing ultraviolet rays to manufacture vitamin D,[8] as well as to determine light/dark cycles, and help with thermoregulation.[2] Of all extant tetrapods, the parietal eye is most pronounced in the tuatara.

further reading...
...
In Taoism and many traditional Chinese martial arts, "third eye training" involves focussing attention on the point between the eyebrows with the eyes closed in various qigong postures. The goal is at first to be able to fix one's attention while other physiological changes are happening in the body. Eventually, this training is said to allow one to keep one's attention properly on the opponent or opponents in a physical confrontation. Students who undertake such training often report experiencing feelings of pressure, pulsing, tingling and other sensations between the eyebrows and around the forehead area.
In theory, the third eye, also called mind's eye, is situated right between the 2 eyes, and expands up to the middle of the forehead when opened. It is one of the main chakras--the sixth chakra (the third eye is in fact a part of the main meridian, the line separating the left and right hemispheres of the body).
Some claim that the chakras can be opened via chakra gemstones, and that to open the third eye requires an amethyst that has been cleaned under flowing water before use.
[edit]Physical basis: the pineal gland?
...
Some, including Rick Strassman, have suggested that the third eye is in fact the partially dormant pineal gland, which resides between the two hemispheres of the brain. This concept is supported by the pinealocytes, one type of cells within the pineal gland, having a strong resemblance to the photoreceptors of the eye. Additionally, the pineal gland is said to excrete dimethyltryptamine (DMT), which is believed to be a chemical precursor to dreams, near-death experiences, meditation, visions, and other forms of awareness that aren't well understood yet. While still speculative, this indicates that the pineal gland could be the physical manifestation of the third eye. Various types of lower vertebrates, such as reptiles and amphibians, can actually sense light via their pineal gland which serves to synchronize their circadian rhythm to the daily light/dark cycle.
Current medical understanding states that the pineal gland is a producer of the hormone Melatonin, which has a role in regulating the body's circadian rhythm to the daily light/dark cycle and also assists with the immune system.

lo nathamundi (asker) Nov 17, 2006:

relation to third eye?