The Egyptians wore amulets alongside other pieces of jewellery. They were decorative, but also served a practical purpose, being considered to bestow power and protection upon the wearer. Many of the amulets have been found inside the wrappings of mummies, as they were used to prepare the deceased for the afterlife. Amulets held different meanings, depending on their type or form. Small amulets depicting gods and goddesses seem to have induced the protective powers of the deity.
The main symbol of Nefertem is the lotus flower. Hence he is frequently depicted, wearing a lotus blossom on his head from which two plumes emerge. Our amulet also takes this standardised depiction. In Memphis, Nefertem was worshiped as part of a divine triad, as the son of the creator god Ptah and his consort; the lioness goddess Sekhmet. In some other places. He was also known as a sun god, largely due to a particular creation myth that stated that the sun-god had risen up from the ocean in a lotus-flower. As the lotus flower blooms in the day, retires to the water at night and reappears in the morning, it is also a symbol of the rising sun. Nefertem’s worship, though varied in purpose, is mainly associated with the attributes of the lotus flower and aspects of solar imagery and creation.
To find out more about Ancient Egyptian amulets please see our relevant blog post: Egyptian Amulets and their Meanings: Ancient Egyptian Gods.
