The inscription of this amulet concerns divine kingship. In Ancient Egypt, the relationship of sovereignty to religion was an important and historic one, indeed the etymology of the sceptre, ‘ḥq3t’ is related to that of “rule”, ‘ḥq3’. Pharaohs exhibited a unique connection to the gods, both as vessels and as mediators, a tradition that has roots in the earliest civilisations of Mesopotamia. In art, Egyptian kings were frequently depicted with the heka sceptre, associating them with divinity and both legitimising and defining their role.
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.
The scarab beetle was an exceedingly popular symbol in the art of Ancient Egypt, thought to represent the sun god, Ra. The Ancient Egyptians believed that the scarab beetle rolling its ball of dung across the desert mirrored the journey of the sun across the sky from day to night. As the beetle laid its eggs within the dung, it became a symbol of rebirth and regeneration.
To find out more about Ancient Egyptian amulets please see our relevant blog post: Egyptian Amulets and their Meanings.
