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Egyptian symbol: the Ankh cross
One of the most famous and widely used symbols from ancient egypt and the world is the ankh cross. It is a cross with a looped top in a key-like shape, representing eternal life, the morning sun, purification, the life-giving power of water, clairvoyance, and the union of opposites such as earth and sky, and men and women (Isis and Osiris).
The symbol is associated with the “Knot of the goddess Isis” and her powerful cult between (3150 – 2613 BC). It is also known as the crux ansata by Coptic Christians, representing life and immortality. This symbol appears in paintings, on temple walls, and in tombs because it was the key to existence, and used as an amulet to ensure divine protection.
Meaning of the Egyptian emblem, the Knot of Isis
Also known as the Tiet/Tyet, the Knot of Isis, or the Blood of Isis, it closely resembles the Ankh symbol except for its arms curving downward. It served as a funerary amulet made of red stone or glass and was associated with many goddesses as well as Isis. It symbolizes the ideas of eternal life and resurrection.
Egyptian representation: The Djed pillar
Known as “The Backbone of Osiris,” it represents strength and stability and is linked to the god Osiris of the underworld and the god Ptah of creation, making it a symbol of resurrection and eternal life. The ancient egyptians believed the Djed pillar was the combination of the four pillars that held up the four corners of the earth.
It was also used as a fertility pole raised during festivals that emphasized balance in life and hope in the afterlife, provided by the great gods of ancient egypt. A Djed column is often found on the bottom of coffins where the deceased’s spine rested so that the soul could rise and walk into the afterlife.
The divine Was Scepter
This symbol represents a ceremonial staff with a forked end and an animal-like head, and is often placed with the ankh, or in the hands of a god (often Seth or Anubis).
It represents dominion and power, and is also considered responsible for caring for the deceased; it was often used as tomb equipment.
Meaning of the Egyptian symbol: KA in ancient egypt
The Ka is generally translated as “soul” or “spirit.” The ka was born when an individual was born. It was believed that the ram-headed god Khnum crafted the ka on his potter’s wheel at a person’s birth. It was thought that when someone died, they would “meet their Ka.” A person’s Ka would live on after the death of their body.
Some tombs included model houses because the Ka needed a place to live. Offerings of food and drink were left at the tomb entrance so the Ka could eat and drink.
The Egyptian scarab, Khepri
Representing transformation, immortality, and resurrection, the iconic scarab is actually a type of dung beetle associated with the gods. Why? The beetle lays its eggs in a ball of dung, which feeds its newborns once they hatch. It was thought that the story of the dung beetle symbolized how life comes from death.
The story of the god Khepri is inspired by the dung beetle, as he was known for rolling the sun across the sky – keeping it safe in the underworld at night and helping it rise as the dawn the next day.
Egyptian symbolism: The lotus flower in ancient egypt
The lotus symbol is considered a true icon in Egyptian mythology and ancient Egyptian art. The flower, also known as the “water lily,” closes at night, sinks underwater, and then wakes up in the morning, which is why it became a symbol of the sun, creation, and regeneration.
The Lotus was associated with Atum-Ra, the sun god, as a giant lotus emerged from the primordial waters of Nun from which the sun god appeared. The cult of Osiris also linked the symbol to funerary imagery and the deceased entering the underworld, symbolizing reincarnation.
The symbol was commonly used in art to represent Upper Egypt. It was found in places of honor throughout Egypt, on the architecture of Egyptian column capitals representing the tree of life, in tombs, in hieroglyphs, written on papyrus, and found on the thrones and headdresses of divine pharaohs.
Egyptian symbolism: Shen
A circle of rope that has no beginning and no end, to form an unbroken bond that symbolizes infinity, wholeness, eternity, and protection, which made its symbol extremely popular and well-presented.
The word “Shen” comes from the ancient Egyptian word meaning “encircle.” The Shen amulet was worn by everyone, including kings.
Many deities like Horus and Isis are seen holding the Shen, which led the ancient egyptians to honor the Shen as a symbol of symmetry and perfection.
Wadjet Eye (Eye of Horus)
Also known as (Uto, Wadjet), the eye of horus represents healing, protection, good health, and royal power; it is the most famous of all ancient Egyptian symbols. The left eye belonged to the sky god horus, who gave it to save his father Osiris.
This symbol was extremely famous and powerful at the time because it had healing powers and was used as a medical tool to measure ingredients while making medicine. The left eye represents the moon and is considered a symbol of sacrifice. His right eye is known as the eye of Ra, the sun god.
The Eye of Ra
Not to be confused with the Eye of Horus, the Eye of Ra is distinguished by the fact that it is the right eye rather than the left. Ra was an Egyptian sun god, and his eye is considered an extension of his power. Although the Eye of Ra reflects many of the same concepts as the Eye of Horus, it also carries an aspect of danger and violence, as it represents the heat and anger of the sun.
Crook and flail (Hekha and Nekhakha)
The crook and flail were considered a symbol of state power and the king’s absolute authority and control over his subjects. The word “Hekha” is an epithet of Osiris that means “to rule” and is considered a symbol of royal power and dominion.
The Seba
The Seba is the representation of the star in Egyptian art. Based on a starfish, with five equidistant rays, the seba was the symbol of constellations, or star-gods. Encircled in a circle, the seba represented the Duat, or the other world, where the sun disappeared each night, and where the souls of the dead ascended after death. The word seba means “learning” or “discipline” and is associated with doors and portals.
The 6 Egyptian crowns
1. The Hedjet crown
The White Crown. It was the crown of Upper Egypt (south).
The Hedjet is the name of the formal pharaonic crown that was part of the regalia adopted by the royalty of Upper Egypt. It was a large, white conical headdress. Throughout the long and rich history of Lower and Upper Egypt, pharaohs are depicted in their glorious unique regalia that evoke the existence of two distinct nations unified under a single monarch.
The typical crowns – the red crown (Deshret) representing Lower Egypt and the white crown (Hedjet)
representing Upper Egypt – were an important part of royal symbolism. After the unification of the country, the Hedjet was combined with the Deshret to form the Pschent, the double crown of Egypt.
Hedjet is related to several Egyptian deities. There are many instances where the goddess Nekhbet was shown wearing it, and horus, the falcon god, was also often depicted in the white crown.
The god Osiris was also associated with the Hedjet as it combines with red ostrich feathers to form the unique Atef crown of Osiris.
The materials from which the Hedjet was constructed are a subject of pure speculation as no white crown has been found so far. It indicates that the crown may have been passed down to subsequent monarchs, as is usually the case in current monarchies.
2. The Deshret Crown
The Red Crown. It was the crown that represented Lower Egypt (north).
The Deshret (The Red) confirmed the king as ruler of Lower Egypt. Although no examples of these crowns survive (to our knowledge), scholars have proposed that they were made of fabric or leather with wire, possibly copper, ending in a spiral.
The red crown, or deshret, may very well have originated in Upper Egypt, although it eventually became the symbol of Lower Egypt. A shard of a large vessel dating from the late Naqada I period, near the city of Nubt, the city of Seth, has a relief representation of the red crown, and on the Narmer Palette (one side) and on the mace head, the figure of the king is depicted wearing the red crown.
According to Egyptian mythology, the Deshret was first given to the god horus by Geb to symbolize his reign over Lower Egypt. It was worn by the goddess Wadjet and was also called “nt” in the Middle Kingdom due to its association with the goddess Neith.
3. The Pschent Crown
The double crown, the red crown and the white crown combined to represent a unified Egypt. Although Egypt was not always a unified nation, it was stronger that way. This is why unification was desirable. Narmer (Menes), founder of the first dynasty around 3100 BC, was the first man to wear this crown.
4. The Atef Crown
The Atef crown was worn by Osiris. It is composed of the white crown of Upper Egypt and red feathers representative of Busiris, the cult center of Osiris in the Delta.
5. The Khepresh Crown
The blue crown (the Khepresh) was a blue fabric or leather headdress adorned with bronze or gold discs. The blue crown was worn during battles and ceremonies.
6. The Nemes Headdress
The Nemes headdress or royal blue striped headdress is not a true crown but a cloth that often covers a crown and the back of the head. Two parts of the fabric hung down along the ears on the front of the shoulders, and on the back, the fabric was tied together in a braid and fitted with rings. The mythical Uraeus cobra, worn by gods and kings, was often associated with this headdress and symbolized power and dominion over the virility and prosperity of the land.
The Nemes is not strictly a crown, but rather a striped head covering. It covered the entire head, sometimes extending a little lower in the back, and had two long flaps that hung behind the ears and in front of both shoulders. The first representation of the nemes (with an uraeus) is the ivory label of Den from the first dynasty. In addition to uraei, it was sometimes combined with the double crown (for example on the large statues of Ramses II outside Abu Simbel).
The Uraeus
The Uraeus, used as a symbol of sovereignty, royalty, divinity, and divine authority in ancient egypt.
The Uraeus is a symbol for the goddess Wadjet, one of the earliest Egyptian deities, who was often depicted as a cobra. The center of her cult was at Per-Wadjet, later called Buto by the Greeks.
She became the patron of the Nile Delta and the protector of all Lower Egypt, so her image was worn by pharaohs as a head ornament, first as the body of Wadjet on top of the head or as a crown encircling the head, always being an integral part of their crown, indicating her protection and as a concession over the land. The pharaoh was only recognized by the wearing of the uraeus, which gave legitimacy to the ruler.
The Ouroboros
The ouroboros is one of the symbols of the sun; it represents the journeys of Aten, one of the aspects of the sun god. It represents rebirth, perpetuity, and recreation. The symbol was created when Atum emerged from the dark waters in the form of a serpent that renews itself every morning.
It is known as a symbol of infinity and is used in many different cultures, such as in Greek and Scandinavian mythology.
This is the end of our article. You now know a little more about Egyptian symbols and their meanings, even if this list remains non-exhaustive; ancient egypt is still full of a multitude of stories to discover.
If you enjoyed this article, here are some complementary articles you will love:
- Meaning of the Egyptian Ankh cross
- Meaning of the Eye of Horus
