The god Thoth was an important deity within the Egyptian pantheon. He was involved in all aspects of Egyptian life and culture, from the living to the deceased. He was known as the keeper and recorder of all knowledge, and as the inventor of writing and language. As the deity that healed Osiris, he was also associated with healing, and thus the god of physicians and healers. Due to his healing connotations, amulets of Thoth were popular, worn on the body by the living as well as the dead. Thoth is often depicted as a man with the head of an ibis or a baboon, as these animals were sacred to him.
His consort was the goddess Ma’at, who represented the concept of truth, balance, order, law, morality, and justice. Alongside her, Thoth had an active role in the ‘Weighing of the heart ceremony’, it was believed that he recorded the verdict of the deceased’s fate. Amulets such as this would have been placed upon the mummy to anticipate a good outcome in the ceremony.
To find out more about the Ancient Egyptian amulets please see our relevant blog post: Egyptian Amulets and their Meanings: Ancient Egyptian Gods.
