In hieroglyphs, the symbol of the throne is used in the forming of Isis’ name and translates as ‘seat’. She was thus associated with the throne and royal kingship, together with her husband Osiris, looked upon as the divine mother of the pharoah. Her worship in Egypt is mentioned from the Old Kingdom and spread throughout Egypt and beyond. Her cult was especially popular in the Roman Empire.
Horus was one of the most significant Ancient Egyptian deities. He is most commonly depicted with the head of a falcon, and the body of a man. Horus was a sun and moon deity, and it was said that his right eye was the sun, and the left was the moon. Here Horus is shown striding with his left leg forward. Amulets of Horus were thought to grant the wearer protection in this world and the next.
Khnum is most frequently depicted with a ram’s head, as he is in this example. He was one of the earliest deities to be celebrated in Egypt, and was originally the god of the source of the river Nile. He was also a god of birth and creation, as it was believed that Khnum made babies out of clay, using his potter’s wheel, and placed them in their mother’s wombs. The river Nile, rich in nutrients and good soil, was a wonderful source of life and sustenance. Khnum was therefore known as a protector and guardian, especially in relation to children – hence the choice for his depiction on an amulet.
To find out more about the Ancient Egyptian amulets please see our relevant blog post: Egyptian Amulets and their Meanings: Ancient Egyptian Gods.
