Amulets
of Powers
Amulets
of Powers
Amulets of Powers are
objects of authority and power and many have royal connection.
Their appearance marks the democratisation of funerary religion in Egypt,
what had once been available exclusively for royals and their favourites was now
available for all.
The Red Crown ‘deshret’ (‘red
one’) of Lower Egypt first appears as an amulet in the 1st
Intermediate Period (2181-2055BC) and has a characteristic shape of a low
cylinder with a tall spike at the back and an uncurling spiral projecting at the
front. Early examples were carved
in cornelian and gold crowns have also been found.
The Uraeus Serpent is an emblem of royalty worn on the forehead
of the king, ready to strike and spit fire at the enemies of Egypt.
The Uraeus depicts many snake goddesses.
The snake also represents the powers of resurrection and renewal because
it sheds its skin. The earliest one found dates from the 1st
Intermediate Period (2181-2055BC). Placed
on the forehead, chest, stomach, and feet or on a necklace.
The Papyrus Scepter
represented papyrus the green plant that grew in abundance along the Nile.
The plant was a symbol of youth, joy, new life and resurrection.
The amulet would guarantee the wearer a youthful afterlife and also
linked the wearer to the divine. Goddesses
often carried a papyrus sceptre and the plant was the emblem of Lower Egypt and
its patroness Wadjyt. They are made
of mainly of green coloured material.
Placed on the forehead, throat, stomach and the top and middle rows on chest.
The Djed Pillar is the
hieroglyphic sign, which means 'enduring' or 'stable.'
This amulet first appeared as an amulet in the Old Kingdom (2686-2181BC)
was a symbol of Osiris and represented the god's backbone.
The amulet would give stability to Egypt and symbolise the resurrection
of Osiris and consequently the deceased. It
was found in numbers on mummies and although gold is the prescribed material
they were made of many types of material of green or blue colour, which are the
colour of regeneration.
Placed on the throat,
chest and across the stomach.
The Ankh is the hieroglyphic sign, which means ‘life’ and is probably the best known of all Egyptian amulets. Surprisingly it is not found in great numbers. It is suggested the ankh depicts the tie-strap of a sandal. The ankh was worn by the living as well as the dead.
Placed on the chest
or the feet.
The Nefer sign depicts an
animal’s heart and windpipe. It
means ‘beautiful’, ‘perfect’ and ‘good’.
As an amulet it is only used as jewellery and it is very common in
collars.
The Writing Tablet was to
be used in the Afterlife by the dead person and would also represent the scribes
writing tablet mentioned in chapter 94 of The Book of the Dead, 'Bring me a palette from the writing kit of
Thoth and the mysteries, which are in them.'
The amulet would ensure the deceased would be knowledgeable about the
spells required in the Afterlife and receive their power.
This amulet was used from the 26th Dynasty and later and is
always made from a dark-coloured material.
Placed on the throat, chest and stomach
General Information On Ancient Egypt