Showcase with amulets

An amulet is an object thought to protect its wearer from any evil. The ancient Egyptians called these items mkt nHt or sA (all words deriving from verbs meaning to protect) also the term wDA meaning “well-being” was used. An animal amulet for example was also thought to provide its wearer with some of the qualities that belong to the animal itself for instance the bull and the lion may have been intended to provide strength and ferocity respectively.

History:

<!--Amulets have been used since pre-dynastic period, as early as the Badarian period. First examples had the head of hippopotami

<!--During the 1st Intermediate period parts of the human body were used as amulet shapes, perhaps to replace for actual lost or damaged body parts, however only the heart amulet became essential.

<!--From the New Kingdom onwards, amulets portrayed gods and goddesses, not only powerful deities but also household ones e.g. Bes (protects children) and Taweret (protects women during childbirth).

<!--The range of funerary amulets increased considerably from the Saite period onwards.

Materials:

<!--Amulets could be made out of several materials; the most common stone is either precious stone or semi precious stone. They could also be made out of metal (e.g. gold, bornze,), glass or more commonly faience

<!--All materials were selected for their supposed magical properties. Moreover, specific combinations of material, color and shape were followed for particular amulets in funerary tests from as early as the 5th dynasty (Pyramid Texts) e.g. red cornelian or jasper for the Tyt amulet (Isis knot).

Types:

There are two types of amulets: the daily life amulets or charms which could also be used after death or the funerary amulets, which are made specifically to be used after the death. This type is to be found within mummy wrappings. It included funerary deities like Anubis, slkt, sons of Horus and rarely Osiris.

The Book of the Dead includes several formulae with illustrative vignettes that endow prescribed amulets with magical powers especially amulets placed at specific points within mummy wrappings.

The anx:  

<!--<!--<!--Although the origins of that sign are obscure, its meaning is so clear to us that mean life or living.

<!--It takes the form of a T shape surmounted by a loop.

<!--It is interpreted as a sandal strap (most acceptable theory) a mirror, male and female organs, sun rising above the horizon, which is represented by the crossbar, the vertical section below the crossbar would then be the path of the sun or even a Tyt amulet. Some theories suggest that it represents the Nile Valley and the Delta.

<!--Temple reliefs frequently included scenes in which the king was offered the anx sign by the gods thus symbolizing the divine living of eternal life. It could represent air or water as seen in libation scenes as they both constitute the elements of life.

<!--For the same reason it was also represented at the end of sun rays emitting from the Atn near the nostrils of the king Akhenaton and his royal family during the Amarna period.

<!--It is commonly used in decorative friezes together with the Dd and the wAs

<!--The anx was eventually adopted by the Coptic Church as their unique form of cross known as the Crux ansata (the handle of eyed cross).  

<!--<!--The tyt:

<!--It is known as the Knot or Girdle of Isis.

<!--It is represented as an open loop of material from whose lower end hangs a long sash flanked by two folded loops

<!--We have a theory suggesting that it was used by goddess Isis to cover her pregnancy when she was pregnant with Horus to protect him from the evil god Seth.

<!--It was already used as a sacred object during the Old Kingdom

<!--It was a sign of fertility

<!--Connected with chapter 156 of the Book of the Dead

<!--Mostly red in color as it represents the blood of Isis made out of jasper or cornelian but examples made out of other materials have also been found

<!--To be placed at the neck of the mummy to give the deceased the protection of Isis

<!--Commonly associated with the Dd pillar, which was connected with Osiris

<!--<!--

The Dd Pillar: 

<!--It is the sign of stability and enduring which is also its meaning

<!--In shape it consists of a tall pillar (shaft) crossed near the top by four short horizontal bars.

<!--It is thought to represent either the four back bones of the god or the tree in which goddess Isis hid the dead body of Osiris

<!--It had been suggested that the cross bars represent the four corners of the earth

<!--It is one of the amulets that were found by Carter between twenty amulets arranged on the king’s neck in three layers separated by sheets of linen

<!--It was one of the most common decorative motives expecially connected with the anx and wAs scepter

<!--Originally associated with Sokar and ptah then later acquired its well known association with Osiris

<!--It is also connected with the important ritual which is called the erection of the Dd pillar

<!--It is represented on sarcophagi in horizontal position as its vertical position indicates that the person is alive

<!--Associated with Chapter 155 of the Book of the Dead

<!--This piece is made out of blue faience, gilded in some parts

<!--<!--The wAs scepter:  

<!--Symbol of power, dominion and authority

<!--Scepter consisting of a straight shaft with its handle in the form of the head of a canine animal and its base ending in two prongs

<!--It wasn’t often found as an amulet

<!--Some scholars believed that the primary function of the was scepter in the funerary context was to ensure the welfare of the deceased

<!--During the Middle Kingdom it was represented made out of wood

<!--Along side the deceased so that he might enjoy the divine prosperity

<!--It is also suggested that the was scepter was used to represent the divine measurement of time as it represents the upright section of a sundial

<!--A common element in decorative friezes especially with the anx and the Dd

<!--Held by divinities and royalties

<!--When adding a streamer and a feather, it represents the emblem of Thebes (Waset)

<!--The example shown here in this showcase was found in the annex of the tomb, made out of blue faience and king Tut’s name is inscribed on it in black color

<!--<!--The papyrus or wAD amulet:

Its name means green which represents the color of papyrus

It is a symbol of rejuvenation and prosperity

First mentioned in the coffin texts then later associated with Chapter 159 and 160 of the Book of the Dead

A papyrus scepter was often carried by goddesses and the plant was the emblem of Lower Egypt as it grows in the marshes of the Delta

The papyrus as a plant was known in Ancient Egypt as mnH and it was used in several things: it was used in making sheets of paper for writing, making sandals, making boats and baskets and even it was eaten by the common people roasted or boiled

Together with the lotus they formed the smA tAwy sign for the unification of the two lands.

The Lotus:

Its ancient Egyptian name was sSn

Emblem of Upper Egypt

There were three kinds of lotus known in Ancient Egypt; the white and blue were the oldest known kinds then the pink which was introduced from a foreign country later maybe Persia or India. The blue lotus is also known as Lilly and it was the most fragrant type that’s why it was always represented held to the noses of people to smell on the walls of tombs

It is a symbol of rebirth (creation theory of Re emerging from a lotus floating on the dark waters of the primeval ocean Nun). The origin of this theory has probably arisen from the characteristic tendency of these flowers to grow out of water opening their petals in the morning and reclosing them at night

Blue lotus was the symbol of god Nefertum

Associated with Chapter 81 of the Book of the Dead

Lotus was used as food by means of drying, grinding then making flour out of it which is then baked into bread

The animal hooves:

The name in hieroglyphics is wHm meaning to repeat

There are two theories regarding these animal hooves. The first is that they represent hooves of the animals which the people might be scared of in order to ward off their danger (not very strong theory). The second theory is that the hooves of the animals are always in movement or in motion so it denotes prosperity and flourishing which will spread in the land wherever they walk

Probably a symbol for prosperity and resurrection