Why Did ancient Egyptians use Amulets?
Ancient Egyptian amulets were of great importance in ancient Egypt. They were worn by the living and placed in graves.
An amulet is something that is believed to have specific positive characteristics. Almost every house of the ancient Egyptians had one or more amulets,
in the belief that it wards them off evil or brought them well, as it is the primary function of the amulet. The presence of amulets remained in Egypt until the entry of Islam into Egypt, which prohibited amulets.
The magical powers of Ancient Egyptian amulets were derived from several aspects, such as the amulet’s shape, ornamentation, inscription, color, material,
and words spoken on the piece or actions performed with it.
The wearer of an amulet, also known as a Witch’s Amulet, is afforded some degree of safety due to the item’s presence, typically a natural object or something that contains a natural object. Not only are they used in Wicca and witchcraft, but amulets can also absorb negative energies.
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Why Did Ancient Egyptians Wear Amulets?
Amulets were usually worn or placed on the body in ancient Egypt to transfer their powers directly to the owner. Amulets were often pierced or featured a loop, allowing them to be used as pendants on a necklace. Among many other possibilities, they can be combined into rings or folded into a piece of cloth and then tied with string.
This meant that amulets could be worn without having any way of hanging.
When used for the dead, mummy bandages. While amulets are often small, averaging 2 to 6 cm (about 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches) (1984.176), funerary objects such as winged scarabs (25.5.1 a–c) can reach ) to twenty-five centimeters (almost ten inches).
The ancient Egyptians came up with the word amulet from the verb “mutter,” which means the hidden magical speech, which the magician uttered, such as the verbs “spell” and “spell,” and the Latin name “Amelitos.” Amulets have been in Egyptian tombs since the pre-dynastic era, and they have been called several names, including “Mect Hau,” meaning “protection of organs,
” “Waga,” meaning “healing,” “Sa,” meaning “guarding,” “Naht,” meaning “protection or prevention.”. ”
And that the ancient Egyptians believed in the effect of the material for making the amulet and that some materials had a hidden power, and this is indicated by a papyrus written in the demotic script published by “Spiegel-Borg,” and the models that were found in the tomb of “Tutankhamun,” and also in the tombs of “Tanis” “One of the best represents amulets.
What Is The Purpose of an Amulet?
There are different interpretations of the purpose of the amulets, including the psychological effect, where it is believed that the amulet brings happiness or misery.
The organic effect of the amulet and its medical role in bringing healing and health; and the alternative impact, where it is believed that the amulet is a substitute for the familiar member of the mummy, while the amulet is believed to have a magical effect.
Where it benefits or harms, such as when the eye protects from envy, we see some people representing it when an arrow hits it to eliminate its evil.
Who wore Egyptian Amulets?
People of all social classes in ancient Egypt, including the wealthy, wore amulets. They were available in jewelry, ranging from precious jewels to relatively affordable stones. In ancient Egypt, rich people had better access to priests and temples, while the impoverished frequently wore amulets as a substitute for visiting temples.
Types of Ancient Egyptian Amulets:
- Amulets for powers
- Amulets of Protection (or aversion)
- Amulets of Gods/Goddesses and sacred animals
- Amulets of royalty
- Absorption amulets
- Scarab for a living (or for funeral offering)
- Amulets of possession and property
- Egyptian Amulets of Funerary and Mummification
Egyptian Amulets For Powers
1-Egyptian Amulets of Ankh :
Also called the key to life, this Egyptian symbol stands for immortality, protection, and knowledge. However, it is still associated with fertility and enlightenment.
Above all, Egyptian Ankh is associated with the goddess Isis, who represents fertility and motherhood. This symbol was adopted by the pharaohs who wanted protection, health, and happiness.
2-Amulets Of Was Scepter :
It symbolized the power and dominance of the god and the king in the history and culture of ancient Egypt.
The ancient Egyptians believed the sky was supported by four pillars shaped like the Was Scepter. He is known as the Sculptor of the Earth, who presented the absolute meaning of completeness and wholeness.
This symbol was famous at King Dyet of the First Dynasty. The head of a sacred animal (a fox) is in its upper part, and its lower part looks like cow horns.
3-Amulets of winged the sun :
The Symbol of the Winged Sun consists of a solar disk with two wings on its sides, and it is one of the oldest symbols in the ancient empire since the XXVII century BC.
This symbol represents power and divinity. The Winged Sun is known as “Behdety,” the god of the midday sun found on the walls of temples with the god Ra and Horus.
It was used as an amulet for protection. The symbol can be seen flanked by the Uraeus on both sides.
Egyptian Amulets of Protection (or Aversion)
What were The amulets Meant to Protect against in ancient Egyptian?
Some people believe these symbols work by harnessing the power of positive energy. They say that when you wear or carry these symbols, you are surrounded by good vibes and protection from harm.
Others believe that these symbols work by diverting or repelling negative energy. Wearing these symbols makes you less likely to be affected by evil forces or other malicious intent.
There are many symbols of protection. Here we show you some that you surely did not know and others you may identify immediately.
1-vulture Egyptian Amulets :
The vulture symbol of Upper Egypt was seen as a logo for the royal protection of the deceased provided by the goddess Nekhbet.
The amulet created in gold recalled the power of the goddess Isis who transformed into a vulture and flew in search of the body of her deceased husband.
This object depicted a vulture with open wings holding another important Egyptian symbol, the Ankh, in each claw.
2-Amulets of Djet Piller :
Egyptian protection amulet Djed Piller, also Known as “The Backbone of Osiris,” represents strength and stability. It is linked to the god Osiris of the underworld and the god Ptah of creation, symbolizing resurrection and eternal life.
The ancient Egyptians believed that the Djed pillar was a combination of four pillars that supported the earth’s four corners. The Djed dated back to the prehistoric period and was related to agricultural rites that reflected the life and hoped in the Afterlife provided by the great gods of Ancient Egypt.
The symbol appeared on many temples, such as King Djoser’s enclosure in Memphis and various versions of the Book of the Dead. And the Pyramid Texts.
It was also used as an amulet; the Djed Pillar is found in the coffins, where the deceased’s spine would be for the soul to get up and walk towards the Afterlife, leaving earth.
3-Egyptian Amulet Eye Of Horus :
The Eye of Horus is one of the essential Ancient Egyptian amulets associated with prophecy, power, and spiritual protection. On the other hand, it also represents sacrifice and strength.
Furthermore, this element originates from a myth about how the god Horus lost one of his eyes while fighting his uncle Seth. This conflict occurred because the god was the son of Osiris and wanted to avenge his father’s death.
Thus, the element became associated with the victory of good over evil.
4-Isis Egyptian amulet :
One of the essential protection amulets in ancient Egyptian, ” ISIS”, This amulet depicts the goddess Isis. On her head is a throne, the hieroglyph representing her name.
Isis was a quintessential example of a loving, caring wife and nurturing and protective mother. In the funerary realm, Isis was essential as she cared for and revived her husband, Osiris.
She is often described as “The Great One of Magic,” and this amulet was presumably supposed to invoke her protection and versatile powers for the benefit of its wearer.
The back pillar of the piece is pierced so that the amulet can be suspended, for example, on a necklace. The article belongs to three other amulets,
representing the deities Nephthys, Horus, and Khnum, all four are probably mummy amulets.
Amulets of Gods and Goddesses And Sacred Animals of Ancient Egypt
In ancient Egypt, people’s relationship with animals was very close, not least because they believed they were directly connected to the gods.
The sacred animals of ancient Egypt were revered and can currently be found in several records in pyramids, tombs, and statues spread across the African country.
Here are some of those animals:
1- Bastet Amulet :
Certainly one of the most famous and beloved sacred animals, the cat appears in many Egyptian arts, no wonder! The cat was the animalistic representation of the goddess Bastet, a solar deity known as a fertility goddess and protector of women.
2- Amulet of God Anubis :
According to Ancient Egyptian mythology, Anubis guided souls to heaven. In addition, he was the guardian of mummies and tombs.
He was responsible for waiting for people after death to see if they would live decent lives after burial or if a monster should devour them. ,
So finding a dog with a human body painted on coffins is not unusual.
3-Egyptian Amulets Of Crocodile :
For some, dying by the crocodile’s jaws was considered an honor; after all, Crocodile represented the god Sobek, protector of the pharaohs.
And This deity was related to fertility and the pharaoh’s power.
At that time, having a crocodile at home as a pet and veneration was common.
To this day, Sobek is linked to the cult of the Nile River, and some fishermen perform rituals before fishing to avoid finding a crocodile in front of them.
Egyptian Amulets of Royalty
1- Cobra Amulets in Ancient Egyptian (Goddess Wadyat) :
The goddess Wadyat (the cobra goddess) is represented. The symbol is the embodiment of sovereignty, kingship, and divine authority.
The ancient Egyptians believed that the Uraeus symbol could provide magical powers and protection according to the myth of the cobra given to the pharaohs
by the earth god Geb as a sign of royalty. The Urano was used as an ornament for statues; it was found in the upper part of his crown or his mask as a protector of the pharaoh at birth,
coronation, and festivals; it was also used in the jewels and amulets of the pharaohs. It was also used in hieroglyphs representing a sanctuary or a building.
Cobra amulets In ancient Egypt were a symbol of wisdom and protection from enemies and evil forces and also represented danger and power.
2-Egyptian Amulet Shen :
The ancient Egyptian Shen symbolizes royalty, protection, eternity, and infinity. It is a rope circle with no beginning or end to form a bond that symbolizes eternity
and divine protection.
The Shen Ring is associated with Isis and the falcon god Horus and was used to encircle the sun and symbolize the entire universe’s eternity, symmetry, and integrity.
The word “Shen” comes from the ancient Egyptian meaning “to surround.”.
Everyone, including kings, used the Shen amulet; when the king’s name was written on it, the gods protected this king. It resembles the Greek symbol omega, which symbolizes infinity. The Shen was depicted on innumerable personal objects, temples, and tombs.
Absorption of Egyptian Amulets:
This group includes the most ancient amulets, representing parts of human or animal bodies. These amulets were thought to endow the wearer with powers defined by a body part or, sometimes, the entire animal.
They can also serve as replacements if a body part is destroyed. We’ve seen examples of a spare hand, leg, face, and other body parts. Most importantly, it was a heart amulet.
The ancient Egyptians believed that the heart stores a person’s thoughts, feelings, actions, and memories. Heart amulets such as those on the neck, breast, or upper torso of the deceased were placed to ensure that they had a heart, should theirs be destroyed.
Egyptian Amulet Scarab for a Living (or for Funeral Offering)
The scarab was worshiped in ancient Egypt as a popular amulet, especially for its association with the sun’s movement, creation, and rebirth. In this sense, the figure of the mythical beetle symbolizes resurrection and new life. Moreover, the scarab was believed to protect against evil spirits and was mainly adopted at funerals.
Amulets of Possession and Property
These amulets represent all the possessions used during life that would be needed in the tomb for the Afterlife. It did not matter how small they were; they would still serve as representations of the real thing. We saw amulets representing such possessions as a writing tablet, tiny vessels, and a fish.
1-Egyptian Amulet Situla :
The Situla amulet was used in ritual practices in temples, with the liquid having healing properties. The amuletic version of the situla was placed at the deceased’s throat and was assumed to have the same powers.
2- The Amulets Of The Serpents Head :
This amulet was placed on the dead body to keep it from being bitten by snakes in the underworld or tomb. It is made of red stone, jasper, paste, and carnelian. As the goddess,
A serpent often typifies Isis, and red is a color peculiar to her; it seems as if the idea underlying the use of this amulet was to defeat the snakes in the tomb using the power of the great snake-goddess Isis.
This power had been transferred to it using the words of the XXXIV th Chapter of the Book of the Dead,
which is often inscribed upon it; the text reads: “O Serpent! I am the flame which shineth upon the Opener of hundreds of thousands of years and the standard of the god Tenpu,”
or, as others say, “the standard of young plants and flowers. Depart ye from me, for I am the divine Lynx.” Some have thought that the snake’s head represents the serpent which surmounts the ram’s head on the urhekau instrument used in the ceremony of “Opening the mouth.”
Egyptian Amulets of Funerary and Mummification
1-Ancient Egyptian Amulet of heart :
One of the Egyptian witchcraft amulets in ancient Egyptian it was the heart amulet; it is a widespread belief that the physical heart and lungs are essential for an afterlife,
And to protect these vital organs from theft and robbery, Egyptians employed the magical and supernatural powers of the heart amulet.
Egyptians also believed in the importance of the body concerning its perceived source of life and its transition to a new life in the afterworld.
As a result, ancient Egyptians believed in the sanctity of the body of the dead.
The heart symbol of life and the seat of the soul during the mummification phase was placed inside one of the canopic jars;
the protection of this organ was so vital that it was also mentioned in a part of the Book of the Dead. “This heart that belongs to me cries before Osiris begs for me.. oh my heart,
don’t rise against me, and I don’t think you should accuse me of this in court, don’t turn against me in the presence of the Librarians.. if you turn right,
we will be saved.. don’t slander my name to the court that assigns
the position to the people, the judgment will be good for us, the heart of the judge will be glad .. do not tell a lie against me before the God of the West ..”
This amulet was made of white glassy stone, carnelian, or lapis lazuli. During mummification, it was placed among the bandages that wrapped the deceased
to ensure that the dead’s heart could respond sincerely at the moment of Osiris’ judgment.
2-Two Finger Amulet :
Another Egyptian witchcraft amulet was the ”Two-Finger Amulet. ”This amulet depicts two stylized human fingers that are about life-size.
Two-finger amulets were used exclusively for the dead and were often found on the lower left of the torso.
This is the incision made during mummification to remove the internal organs. These amulets were meant magically to heal the wound.
The first examples of this amulet type date to Dynasty 26. Their preferred material was obsidian or other dark stones, and Sometimes, the amulet was made of gold.
3-Egyptian Headrest amulet :
This miniature headrest amulet, less than one inch long–is an amulet. Full-size headrests supported the neck of a sleeping person and were often decorated with protective symbols.
Examples were also placed in the tomb. Headrest amulets were exclusively used as funerary amulets. In addition to their protective function,
the further meaning derived from the formal resemblance between the round head on the curved headrest and the sun rising between two hills, a powerful symbol of resurrection and rebirth
for the ancient Egyptians.
Headrest amulets were meant to protect the head of the deceased and to reinsure his or her rebirth.
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How to Activate The Egyptian Amulet?
Amulets of ancient Egypt are made from all kinds of stones and minerals; they are an excellent addition to the overall image, but at the same time,
they have a powerful force that helps to realize the desires you have been dreaming about long. But it would be best not to buy an amulet based on lightning action.
The product was not made by hand, and you did not perceive yourself as the owner, and it is possible to give strength to the amulet only through a special ceremony.
Stay alone at night and take the purchased amulet in your hand. Squeeze tightly and say, “just like the moon is shining in the sky at night, so you keep me, my amulet!
Take away witchcraft spells, and protect from black magic. Amen”. Soon, you will feel how your energy literally “revives” the stone.
After activating the item, always keep it with you because it will be utterly useless at a distance and cannot protect against the manifestation of evil forces.
Remember to wear them regularly; you will feel safe and protected, which is essential in our world.
The sacred symbols that Today, we call magical objects are amulets. It continues to be considered a reliable amulet, but not everyone believes in it.
