Pharaoh's Phakes - Ancient Egyptian Amulets

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Amulets

Some of my ancient amulets and beads Tuaret amulet

Scarabs

Symbolically, scarabs were very important to the ancient Egyptians. Jars of real scarabs were buried with pharaohs from as early as the first dynasty of the Old Kingdom.

Scarab amulets were produced more prolifically than other talismans, and were often decorated with hieroglyphs, and used as seals. They were inscribed with names, mottos, religious prayers and magic formulae, and were regarded as sacred by the ancient Egyptians.

Scarab amulets varied in size from under a centimetre in length, and were produced in semiprecious stones, glass, faience, pottery, also gold and silver, many were inlaid or enamelled in later dynasties.

The scarab was associated with the different manifestations of the sun god, because of the way that the beetles rolled dung into perfect balls around their eggs. The ancient Egyptians saw this as a parallel to the movement of the sun across the sky, and the emergence of the scarab young from the ball was seen as symbolic of the creative powers of the sun.

Khepere was the ancient Egyptian scarab headed god of the rising sun, a manifestation of the sun god Re, and was represented by the scarab beetle. The ancient Egyptian name for scarab beetles was Kheperer (hprr), which translates as coming into being, and rising from.

The scarab was a powerful symbol of regeneration and transformation for the ancient Egyptians, and was often used as a good luck talisman, which was believed to attract abundance and enhance fertility. Scarab amulets were precious objects to the ancient Egyptians, and were made into beads and incorporated into jewellery from as early as Predynastic times in ancient Egypt.

Scarab amulets symbolise creation, rebirth and renewal, and are talismans of good luck. The Scarab is still a popular amulet in modern times.

Eye of Horus

The eye of Horus is probably the most recognised symbol of Ancient Egypt. In Egyptian mythology, Horus was a son of Osiris. He helped his mother, Isis, retrieve the missing body parts of his murdered father, in order for his mother to bring his father back to life. Horus lost his eye in battle with his uncle Seth, who was his fathers murderer. The eye of Horus was replaced by his grandfather Ra (the Sun God).

The eye of Horus is a very evocative symbol, representing the love and support of family, dogged determination, resurrection, and good luck. It is also a symbol of good triumphing over evil, and is thought to protect the wearer.

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