Amulets in the shape of a hedgehog are relatively rare in the material culture, becoming more popular during the New Kingdom. As most of the amulets, hedgehog-shaped amulets were held as symbols of rebirth and afterlife. Since hedgehogs usually retreated underground for long periods when food was scarce, only to re-emerge in times of abundance, the Egyptians linked this behaviour with the concepts of rebirth and afterlife. They were also associated with the lunar aspect of the sun, as hedgehogs are primarily nocturnal creatures.
To find out more about Ancient Egyptian amulets please see our relevant blog post: Egyptian Amulets and their Meanings.
