Ancient Egypt is a mysterious civilization that attracts researchers and lovers of the mysterious. Excavations and research in the Nile Valley have been carried out for several decades, scientists still find interesting objects, jewelry, amulets that have a deep mystical meaning. Today, Egyptian talismans are popular due to their original and attractive appearance, a strong positive influence on the owner.
Egyptian symbols
The cultural heritage of the ancient Egyptian civilization is not only the pyramids and magnificent architectural monuments in Giza, but also numerous images and symbols with deep sacred meaning. Some signs reflected the power and greatness of the pharaoh, others were strong talismans, others helped in everyday life and gave strength.
Ankh
A cruciform figure with a loop-shaped apex symbolizes immortality. In many Egyptian frescoes, deities bring the ankh to a person's mouth, bestowing the 'breath of life'. The common name for the symbol is 'Egyptian cross'.
Amenti
The image of the underground kingdom of the dead. The figure means the horizon beyond which the sun's disk rolls. In ancient times it was a graphic representation of the West Nile – the region where the burial sites were located.
Ba
An image similar to the soul in Christianity. Looks like a bird of prey with a human face. Ba leaves the body of the deceased. During the day he helps the living, at night he flies to the grave of the deceased.
Jed
Stylized image of a human spine in the form of a pillar with transverse 'ribs' at the top. Symbolizes physical strength, invincibility. The image was often painted inside coffins. It was believed to help the deceased travel through the underworld.
Shenou
Detail of an ornament that looks like a ring. She acted as a talisman when the name of the protected person was written down inside. The Egyptians believed that a person wearing a Shenu will live a long time, sorrows and hardships will bypass him.
Benben
Also called the primary mound. This means a piece of land, the first to rise from the depths of the sea of chaos. Scientists believe that it was the benben who became the prototype of the pyramidal burial buildings for the kings.
Scarab
Dung beetle. It was considered in ancient times to be a sacred insect, because it rolled dung balls, which was associated with the sun moving across the sky. Beetle eggs ripen in the sand, juveniles get out of the ground. According to the Egyptians, the world was born out of nothing, out of chaos. The image of a rolling scarab ball is one of the most popular in vintage jewelry design.
Urey
Cobra. Refers to the symbolism of Lower Egypt. Two snakes depicted on the sides of the solar disk symbolized the sizzling gaze of the god Ra. During the Middle Kingdom, the cobra was attached to the headdress of the pharaoh as a protective symbol. It was believed that a poisonous snake over the head of the ruler would kill enemies approaching the throne with poison.
Ieb
A figure that looks like a pot. A simplified image of the heart, in the minds of ancient people, was the source of life. The Egyptians did not say 'the man died', but said 'the heart died'. It was the only organ that was not removed from the body during mummification.
Heth
Lamp. The source of fire embodying the sun.
Ka
A graphic sign in the form of two outstretched arms. Also called 'spirit double'. The ancients believed that when a person was born, a twin soul was born at the same time. When a person dies, he meets Ka in another world. Moreover, the double is immortal, continues to live in the tomb, where the Egyptians left food and water for him.
Sesen
Lotus. Egyptian symbol of solar heat, birth of life. Graphic display of Upper Egypt. Just as the lotus closes every evening, goes under the water, and wakes up in the morning, so the sun rises every time in the east.
She
Water. Schematically depicted as vertically directed wavy lines. According to the beliefs of the Egyptians, the foundation of the world is water. Life in arid territory forced the population to treat water sources with special respect.
Thiet
He is the knot of Isis. It got this name because it looks like the fastening loops on the robes of the gods. Looks like ankh with side branches down. The meanings are prosperous life and resurrection.
Ju
Two mountains, between them – the blessed Nile valley. They supported the heavenly dome. The guards of the mountains were two lions, protecting the rising and setting sun. The mountain was also a symbol of the tomb, since the dead were buried on the hills surrounding the valley.
Akhet
The horizon, in ancient Egypt, was a symbol of the rising and setting of the sun. Depicted as a sun disc between two hills. The deity that patronized the setting and rising luminary was the lion Aker. The famous Sphinx at Giza is the most remarkable statue of this deity.
Rehit
Lapwing with wings bent back. This is how the people were symbolically depicted, ready to obey, bowing at the feet of the ruler. In the late period of the development of Egyptian civilization, instead of wings, birds began to depict human hands joined in prayer.
Naos
A casket made of wood in which gifts to the gods were kept. Wooden, richly decorated containers were installed in temples, placed in larger stone chests. The meaning of the symbol is a temple, a sacred place.
Sistrum
A ritual percussion musical instrument used in rituals in honor of the goddess Hathor. It looked like a structure made of wood or metal with threads stretched inside. The ringing made by the instrument attracted the attention of the deities.
Ushabti
The word in Russian literally translates as 'defendants'. These are small figures that resemble mummies. Their task is to help the deceased in the afterlife. Each figure had its own instrument, performed its function. The deceased Egyptian was entitled to 401 ushabti: 365 for each day of the year, and the remaining 36 were overseers.
Symbols of power in ancient Egypt
Pharaoh was for the Egyptians the embodiment of God on earth. In order to emphasize his special position and superiority over ordinary mortals, the ruler of the Nile Valley wore and kept with him symbols of strength and power, which include:
- Staff and flail are Egyptian symbols of autocracy, unlimited power, greatness. Analogues of ancient Egyptian objects are the medieval scepter and orb.
- Nemes is a striped head covering worn by the pharaohs.
- Deshret is the red crown of the Lower Kingdom.
- Hedget is the white crown of the Upper Kingdom.
- Khepresh is a blue headdress worn by the pharaoh in battle.
- Pshent – the white and red crown of the united Egypt. The unification of the Kingdoms took place in 3100 BC. e. The first ruler to wear a double crown was Narmer.
- Atef is the crown of Osiris, consisting of a white base and red feathers.
- Sekhem is a symbol of the divine power vested in the pharaoh. It looks like a staff with eyes depicted above.
- Uas is a scepter symbolizing the power of the ruler. It is a staff crowned with a dog's head.
Cat symbol in Egypt
Cats in Egypt were treated in a special way. Predators were revered for dexterity and cunning, they were endowed with the ability to see what is hidden from human eyes. The cat, according to the Egyptians, knew how to transform into other creatures, freely traveled through the afterlife, lived 9 lives.
As a talisman, the cat figurine is recommended for a person whose life and work is associated with risk. The figurine will help an athlete to overcome physical activity, a lonely person to find love.
The symbol of what the statuette is is determined by the material of manufacture:
- bronze promotes harmonious love relationships, protects against loneliness;
- silver attracts money and luck, promotes career growth and successful business, protects against black magical effects;
- gold endows the owner with refinement, grace, the ability to present oneself, to join high society.
Symbols in Egyptian gods
Figurines of Egyptian deities and their photographs are common today as an element of the interior. It is not only a stylish decoration, but also a strong talisman of the house. The most popular are:
- Ra is a daylight. Even a child has heard of this deity. The pharaohs were considered the sons of Ra. God was portrayed as a man with a falcon's head and a sun disc above it. The image protects from troubles, ensures a prosperous life.
- Isis is the goddess of fertility and abundant life, protector of children. She presented herself as a woman with horns and a sun over her head. The figurine looks beautiful and is considered a family mascot.
- Feather Maat is the goddess of justice and justice, the conqueror of evil. According to Egyptian beliefs, when a person dies, his soul is sent to judgment. The judges weigh the soul with the feather of the goddess. A sinful soul is devoured by Amtu, a monster with a crocodile body and a lion's head. A feather as an amulet can only be worn by honest and decent people. This is an excellent talisman for volunteers, social workers, peacekeepers.
- Wadzhet is the eye of the god of light Horus, protecting and healing. One of the most popular amulets nowadays, used not only as decor and body decoration, but also as a tattoo.
- The ibis is a bird revered by the Egyptians, the personification of the god of science and knowledge, Thoth. Recommended as an amulet for scientists, teachers, cultural and art workers, esotericists, psychics.
- The frog is the embodiment of the goddess of birth and fertility Heket. Promotes the successful course of childbirth, therefore, it is recommended to purchase a figurine for pregnant women.
- The winged sun disc is the symbol of the god Horus. Today it is popular as a tattoo and part of body jewelry. The image of the sky and the life given by the sun sends the wearer a powerful stream of positive energy.
Egyptian amulets and amulets
Symbols of Ancient Egypt were actively used not only as elements of body jewelry, but also as temple paintings, home wall pictures, clothes, and figurines.
The statues were usually gods and sacred animals.
Bracelets, rings, necklaces were decorated with scarabs, many sacred signs. So the Egyptians tried to protect themselves and their home from troubles and negative magical effects.
Modern artisans, like ancient craftsmen, create a wide variety of Egyptian amulets. Today you can buy figurines and jewelry from:
- wood;
- semi-precious stones (turquoise, carnelian, jade and others);
- metal (most often bronze, gold, silver).
The most popular amulets of Egypt, bought and stuffed in the form of a tattoo:
- ankh;
- scarab;
- uadget;
- Feather of Maat;
- winged sun disc.
Purchased Egyptian amulets require activation.
The figurines made of natural materials are already endowed with magical powers obtained from nature. But the activation of jewelry occurs through sunlight. The sun fills the product with powerful positive energy, does not allow negative absorption.
To activate the decoration, you need to put it on, go out in sunny weather in the afternoon to a deserted place. Turn to face the luminary, put your right hand on the amulet, mentally ask him for help and protection. The product is worn without removing it for 3 days.
Egyptian amulets are associated mainly with the powerful forces of nature, represented by the Egyptians in the form of deities, therefore, they require respect for themselves. In order for the amulet to reliably protect, to fill the space with positive energy, you cannot throw it into the far corner. It is necessary to communicate with him more often, periodically recharge, cleanse from the accumulated negative.
