For the Ancient Egyptians, amulets were not only decorative but also utilitarian as an apotropaic force. 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 had different meanings depending on their type or form, and small amulets depicting the gods, whether in a human or animal form, were thought to induce protective powers over the wearer.
The cobra and Ureaus were associated with the goddess, Wadjet – the protective deity of Lower Egypt. A powerful figure, Wadjet accounted for one half of the euphemistic ‘Two Ladies’ title of the Pharaoh (the other half being the vulture goddess Nekhbet), and accordingly acted as a symbol for divine rule, sovereignty, and absolute authority. The symmetrical formation of this scaraboid was popular in the Middle Kingdom, along with the deeply hatched markings. Variations on the arrangement include central falcons and flanking cobras or central scarabs.
To find out more about Ancient Egyptian amulets please see our relevant blog post: Egyptian Amulets and their Meanings.
