For the Ancient Egyptians, amulets were not only decorative but also considered to bestow power and protection upon the wearer. Many amulets have been found inside the wrapping of mummies to ensure a safe journey into the afterlife, but amulets were also used by the living for protection or in order to have their wishes granted. Amulets, depending on their type or form, had different meanings, with small amulets depicting the gods, whether in a human or animal form, thought to have induced protective powers over the wearer.
The windpipe and lungs of an animal, ‘sma’ was a symbol of union and can be translated as ‘to join together,’ or ‘to unite with.’ It has been suggested that this symbol also depicts the union of the lower and upper kingdoms of Egypt. Often found in tombs, placed on a mummy’s chest, the ‘sma’ amulet ensured a unified corpse, which was essential to proceed on into the Egyptian afterlife.
To discover more about Ancient Egyptian amulets, please visit our relevant blog post: Egyptian Amulets and their Meanings.
