Maat
Represents truth, justice, morality and balance. Deities are often seen
standing on this symbol, as if standing on a foundation of Maat.
standing on this symbol, as if standing on a foundation of Maat.
Menat
This symbol
represents a heavy beaded necklace with a crescent shaped front and a counter
piece at the rear. It was a symbol associated with the goddess Hathor and
her son, Ihy. In fact , Hathor was known as the "Great Menat". We
often see Hathor using the Menat as a conduit
through which she passes her power. It was representative of the ideas of joy,
life, potency, fertility, birth, and rebirth. It was not uncommon in the New
Kingdom, to see the king offering the Menat to Hathor.
This probably meant to represent the king symbolically with the goddess' son,
Ihy. This idea of divine assimilation was common, although the best examples
are of the king representing the falcon god, Horus.
represents a heavy beaded necklace with a crescent shaped front and a counter
piece at the rear. It was a symbol associated with the goddess Hathor and
her son, Ihy. In fact , Hathor was known as the "Great Menat". We
often see Hathor using the Menat as a conduit
through which she passes her power. It was representative of the ideas of joy,
life, potency, fertility, birth, and rebirth. It was not uncommon in the New
Kingdom, to see the king offering the Menat to Hathor.
This probably meant to represent the king symbolically with the goddess' son,
Ihy. This idea of divine assimilation was common, although the best examples
are of the king representing the falcon god, Horus.
Menhed
A scribes pallet.
Writing was a very important skill to the ancient Egyptians. It was practiced
by a group called scribes. The writing equipment used by scribes consisted of a
palette, which held black and red pigments, a water jar, and a pen. To be a
scribe was a favorable position, even some kings and nobles are show proudly displaying
scribe palettes.
Writing was a very important skill to the ancient Egyptians. It was practiced
by a group called scribes. The writing equipment used by scribes consisted of a
palette, which held black and red pigments, a water jar, and a pen. To be a
scribe was a favorable position, even some kings and nobles are show proudly displaying
scribe palettes.
Naos
Shrine in which
divine statues were kept, especially in temple sanctuaries. A small wooden naos
was normally placed inside a monolithic one in hard
stone; the latter are typical of the Late Period, and sometimes
elaborately decorated. Also used as a term for temple sanctuary.
divine statues were kept, especially in temple sanctuaries. A small wooden naos
was normally placed inside a monolithic one in hard
stone; the latter are typical of the Late Period, and sometimes
elaborately decorated. Also used as a term for temple sanctuary.
Nebu
This symbol represents gold which was
considered a divine metal, it was thought to be the flesh of the gods. Its
polished surface was related to the brilliance of the sun. Gold was important
to the afterlife as it represents aspects of immortality. By the New Kingdom,
the royal burial chamber was called the "House of Gold."
considered a divine metal, it was thought to be the flesh of the gods. Its
polished surface was related to the brilliance of the sun. Gold was important
to the afterlife as it represents aspects of immortality. By the New Kingdom,
the royal burial chamber was called the "House of Gold."
The two ladies of upper and lower Egypt. Nekhbet the vulture goddess,
protrectress of Upper Egypt and Wadjet the cobra goddess associated with lower
Egypt and the Nile delta. There is a beautiful rendering of these two ladies in
the White Chapel of Senwosret I.
protrectress of Upper Egypt and Wadjet the cobra goddess associated with lower
Egypt and the Nile delta. There is a beautiful rendering of these two ladies in
the White Chapel of Senwosret I.
Nekhbet
A goddess portrayed
as a vulture. Protrectress of Upper Egypt.
as a vulture. Protrectress of Upper Egypt.
Nemes
A striped headcloth worn by Pharaohs.
NeterThe Gods or having
to do with the gods.
to do with the gods.
Palm Branch
The Egyptians would
put a notch in a palm branch to mark the passing of a year in the life of a
pharaoh. It symbolized the measure of time.
put a notch in a palm branch to mark the passing of a year in the life of a
pharaoh. It symbolized the measure of time.
Pet
This symbol depicts the sky as a ceiling which drops at the ends, the
same way the real sky seems to reach for the horizon. This sign was often used
in architectural motifs; the top of walls, and door frames. It symbolizes the
heavens.
same way the real sky seems to reach for the horizon. This sign was often used
in architectural motifs; the top of walls, and door frames. It symbolizes the
heavens.
Primordial moundThe Egyptians believed that during creation this hill rose out of the sea of
chaos to create dry land. The idea of this hill rising had a profound effect on
the egyptians, being used as every thing from temple layouts to the possible
inspiration behind the pyramids. A.K.A benben stone
Pshent
The Double Crown,
the red crown and the white crown put together to represent a unified Egypt.
Although Egypt was not always a unified nation it was stronger that
way.Therefore unification was desirable. Narmer (Menes), the founder of the
First Dynasty around 3100 B.C., was the first man recorded wearing this crown.
the red crown and the white crown put together to represent a unified Egypt.
Although Egypt was not always a unified nation it was stronger that
way.Therefore unification was desirable. Narmer (Menes), the founder of the
First Dynasty around 3100 B.C., was the first man recorded wearing this crown.
Ra
The sun was the
primary element of life in ancient Egypt, we find this importance reflected in
the art and religion. Some of the most popular gods had a solar connection. The
sun was first worshipped as Horus,
then asRa and
later as Amun-Ra There are many other
representations of the sun, including Khepri,
the great scarab who symbolizes morning and the ram-headed god Khnum representing
evening. During the reign of Akhenaten,
the sun was worshipped as the Aten.
A form of the sun disk with its rays depicted as arms holding ankh signs.
Another common form that the sun takes is that of Horus
Behudety, the winged
sun disk flanked by uraeus.
primary element of life in ancient Egypt, we find this importance reflected in
the art and religion. Some of the most popular gods had a solar connection. The
sun was first worshipped as Horus,
then asRa and
later as Amun-Ra There are many other
representations of the sun, including Khepri,
the great scarab who symbolizes morning and the ram-headed god Khnum representing
evening. During the reign of Akhenaten,
the sun was worshipped as the Aten.
A form of the sun disk with its rays depicted as arms holding ankh signs.
Another common form that the sun takes is that of Horus
Behudety, the winged
sun disk flanked by uraeus.
Sa
This symbol means
protection. Its origins are uncertain, but it is speculated that it represents
either a rolled up herdsman's shelter or a papyrus life-preserver used by
ancient egyptian boaters. Either way it is clearly a symbol of protection. From
early times the sa plays an important part in jewelry design. It is often used
in conjunction with symbols, particularly the ankh, was and djed signs. We
often findTaurt, the hippopotamus goddess of
childbirth, resting her paw on a standing sa sign.
protection. Its origins are uncertain, but it is speculated that it represents
either a rolled up herdsman's shelter or a papyrus life-preserver used by
ancient egyptian boaters. Either way it is clearly a symbol of protection. From
early times the sa plays an important part in jewelry design. It is often used
in conjunction with symbols, particularly the ankh, was and djed signs. We
often findTaurt, the hippopotamus goddess of
childbirth, resting her paw on a standing sa sign.
Scarab
Called the dung
beetle because of its practice of rolling a ball of dung across the ground. The
Egyptians observed this behavior and equated it with the ball of the sun being
rolled across the sky. They confused this balled food source with the egg sack that
the female dung beetle laid and buried in the sand. When the eggs hatched the
dung beetles would seem to appear from nowhere, making it a symbol of
spontaneouscreation. In this role it was associated with
the sunrise. Khepri was the scarab headed god.
beetle because of its practice of rolling a ball of dung across the ground. The
Egyptians observed this behavior and equated it with the ball of the sun being
rolled across the sky. They confused this balled food source with the egg sack that
the female dung beetle laid and buried in the sand. When the eggs hatched the
dung beetles would seem to appear from nowhere, making it a symbol of
spontaneouscreation. In this role it was associated with
the sunrise. Khepri was the scarab headed god.
Sekhem
This is a symbol of
authority.
authority.
Sema
This is a rendering of the lungs attached to the windpipe. As a hieroglyph this
symbol represents the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt. Other symbols are
often added to further illustrate unification. There are many fine examples of
this symbol throughout Egypt.
In these renderings we see theSema bound
with two plants, the papyrus and the lotus. The papyrus represents Lower Egypt
and the lotus represents Upper Egypt.
In other representations we find two gods binding
the Sema together using lotus and papyrus which represents the binding together
of upper and lower Egypt.
Sesen
A Lotus Flower. This is a symbol of
the sun, of creation and rebirth. Because at night the flower closes and sinks
underwater, at dawn it rises and opens again. According to one creation myth it
was a giant lotus which first rose out of the watery chaos at the beginning of
time. From this giant lotus the sun itself rose on the first day. A symbol of
Upper Egypt
the sun, of creation and rebirth. Because at night the flower closes and sinks
underwater, at dawn it rises and opens again. According to one creation myth it
was a giant lotus which first rose out of the watery chaos at the beginning of
time. From this giant lotus the sun itself rose on the first day. A symbol of
Upper Egypt
She
A pool of water.
The Egyptians portrayed bodies of water by means of equally spaced vertical
wave lines. When these lines are inclosed by a rectangle it denotes a lake or
pool. The Egyptians believed water was the primeval matter from which aII
creation began. Life in Egypt's desert climate depended on water, and a pool of
water would be a great luxury. There are many tomb paintings that show the
deceased drinking from a pool in the afterlife.
The Egyptians portrayed bodies of water by means of equally spaced vertical
wave lines. When these lines are inclosed by a rectangle it denotes a lake or
pool. The Egyptians believed water was the primeval matter from which aII
creation began. Life in Egypt's desert climate depended on water, and a pool of
water would be a great luxury. There are many tomb paintings that show the
deceased drinking from a pool in the afterlife.
ShenA loop of rope that
has no beginning and no end, it symbolized eternity. The sun disk is often
depicted in the center of it. The shen also seems to be a symbol of protection.
It is often seen being clutched by deities in bird form,Horus the
falcon, Mut the vulture. Hovering over Pharaohs
head with their wings outstretched in a gesture of protection. The word shen
comes from the word "shenu" which means "encircle," and in
its elongated form became the cartouche which
surrounded the king's name.
has no beginning and no end, it symbolized eternity. The sun disk is often
depicted in the center of it. The shen also seems to be a symbol of protection.
It is often seen being clutched by deities in bird form,Horus the
falcon, Mut the vulture. Hovering over Pharaohs
head with their wings outstretched in a gesture of protection. The word shen
comes from the word "shenu" which means "encircle," and in
its elongated form became the cartouche which
surrounded the king's name.
Shenu
More commonly know
as a cartouche. The shape represents a loop of rope in which a name is written.
A protector of that name. See also shen.
as a cartouche. The shape represents a loop of rope in which a name is written.
A protector of that name. See also shen.
Sistrum
The sistrum was a
sacred percussion instrument used in the cult of Hathor.
The sistrum consisted of a wooden or metal frame fitted with loose strips of
metal and disks which jingled when moved. This noise was thought to attract the
attention of the gods. There are two types of sistrum, an iba, was shaped in a
simple loop, like a closed horse-shoe with loose cross bars of metal above a
Hathor head and a long handle. The seseshet had the shape of a naos temple
above a Hathor head, with ornamental loops on the sides. The rattle was inside
the box of the naos. They were usually carried by women of high rank.
sacred percussion instrument used in the cult of Hathor.
The sistrum consisted of a wooden or metal frame fitted with loose strips of
metal and disks which jingled when moved. This noise was thought to attract the
attention of the gods. There are two types of sistrum, an iba, was shaped in a
simple loop, like a closed horse-shoe with loose cross bars of metal above a
Hathor head and a long handle. The seseshet had the shape of a naos temple
above a Hathor head, with ornamental loops on the sides. The rattle was inside
the box of the naos. They were usually carried by women of high rank.
This bird is called
the Lapwing, it is identified by its head crest, Its wings are pined back
preventing it from flying. This symbol signifies a group of people. It is often
seen below the feet of a ruler to signify that the people are subjects of that
ruler.
the Lapwing, it is identified by its head crest, Its wings are pined back
preventing it from flying. This symbol signifies a group of people. It is often
seen below the feet of a ruler to signify that the people are subjects of that
ruler.
In the New Kingdom,
the symbol develops human arms which are held in the act of giving praise. In
this form it can be interpreted to mean "a group of people giving
praise."
the symbol develops human arms which are held in the act of giving praise. In
this form it can be interpreted to mean "a group of people giving
praise."
Tiet
The exact origin of
this symbol is unknown. In many respects it resembles an ankh except
that its arms curve down. Its meaning is also reminiscent of the ankh,
it is often translated to mean welfare or life. As early as the Third Dynasty
we find the tiet being used as decoration when it appears with both the ankhand
the djed column, and later with the was
scepter. The tiet is associated with Isis and
is often called "the knot of Isis" or "the blood of Isis."
It seems to be called "the knot of Isis" because it resembles a knot
used to secure the garments that the gods wore. The meaning of "the blood
of Isis" is more obscured but it was often used as a funerary amulet made
of a red stone or glass. In the Late Period the sign was associated with the
goddesses Nephthys,Hathor,
and Nut as well as with Isis. In all these cases it seems
to represent the ideas of resurrection and eternal life.
this symbol is unknown. In many respects it resembles an ankh except
that its arms curve down. Its meaning is also reminiscent of the ankh,
it is often translated to mean welfare or life. As early as the Third Dynasty
we find the tiet being used as decoration when it appears with both the ankhand
the djed column, and later with the was
scepter. The tiet is associated with Isis and
is often called "the knot of Isis" or "the blood of Isis."
It seems to be called "the knot of Isis" because it resembles a knot
used to secure the garments that the gods wore. The meaning of "the blood
of Isis" is more obscured but it was often used as a funerary amulet made
of a red stone or glass. In the Late Period the sign was associated with the
goddesses Nephthys,Hathor,
and Nut as well as with Isis. In all these cases it seems
to represent the ideas of resurrection and eternal life.
Udjat
The sound eye of
Horus. Symbolizes healing and protection.
Horus. Symbolizes healing and protection.
Uraeus
The cobra is an
emblem of Lower Egypt. It is associated with the king, and kingdom of Lower
Egypt. It is also associated with the sun and with many deities. The cobra
represented the "fiery eye of Re", in which two uraei can be seen on
either side of a winged solar disk. Starting in Middle Kingdom
The uraeus appears as a symbol worn on the crown or headdress of royalty. It is
used as a protective symbol, the Egyptians believed that the cobra would spit
fire at any approaching enemies.
emblem of Lower Egypt. It is associated with the king, and kingdom of Lower
Egypt. It is also associated with the sun and with many deities. The cobra
represented the "fiery eye of Re", in which two uraei can be seen on
either side of a winged solar disk. Starting in Middle Kingdom
The uraeus appears as a symbol worn on the crown or headdress of royalty. It is
used as a protective symbol, the Egyptians believed that the cobra would spit
fire at any approaching enemies.
 Ushabtis Literally translated it means "to answer." It is a small mummiform figure placed in tombs to do work in the afterlife on behalf of the deceased. In some tombs of the late New Kingdom whole gangs of ushabti workers were included with different tools for doing different work. A complete collection would consist of 401 Ushabti: one for each day of the year, 365 plus 36 foreman.  Was This is a symbol of power and dominion. The Was scepter is carried by deities as a sign of their power. It is also seen being carried by kings and later by people of lesser stature in mortuary scenes Winged Solar Disk This is a form that the god Horus Behudety(Horus of Edfu) takes in his battles with Seth. The god Thoth used his magic to turn Horus into a sun-disk with splendid outstretched wings. The goddesses Nekhbet and Uazet in the form of uraeus snakes joined him at his side. |
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