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. On the other hand, small representations of anatomical features or creatures suggest that the wearer required protection over a specific body part, or that he/she desired the skills of a particular animal. Amulets depicting animals were often associated with a particular god or goddess and the properties they possessed.
The frog was a representation of the goddess Heqet (ḥqt), an Egyptian fertility goddess also associated with Hathor. The frog was a symbol of fertility, associated with the annual flooding of the Nile. With this association Heqet also became a symbol of rebirth. Within the Osiris myth she was responsible for breathing life into the young Horus at birth. As the emphasis on the myth’s resurrection increased, the frog also became a symbol of resurrection during Egypt’s Coptic period. It is entirely feasible that this amulet was worn by a lady wanting Heqet’s aid in fertility or childbirth.
To find out more about Ancient Egyptian amulets please see our relevant blog post: Egyptian Amulets and their Meanings: Ancient Egyptian Gods.