Egyptian signs and symbols. Symbols of ancient Egypt and their meanings

Egyptian hieroglyphs are perhaps one of the most common and popularized variants of ancient writing. There are many common misconceptions about Egyptian hieroglyphs, and sometimes ordinary people simply do not know this topic even in the most superficial way.

Therefore, we consider it quite relevant to briefly talk about the language of Egypt, some development trends, the esoteric meanings of this language and the semantic elements of Egyptian culture as a whole.

History of appearance

In the beginning there was a word - this fact is known to many, and from this fact it is not difficult to draw a conclusion about the high significance of the language. In each individual culture, languages ​​have developed in a special way, but for the most part they have always been based on various magical or religious beliefs. They made language not just a way of communication, but a way of influencing reality.

There are many such examples, for example modern alphabet Hebrew includes letters, each of which has a secret meaning. Chinese characters have not only a direct but also a metaphorical meaning, and often the meaning of the word hidden in the hieroglyph indicates a deep understanding of the world and the wisdom of the people. In fact, almost every language (or group of languages) has a very interesting .

From the very beginning, it should be noted that hieroglyphs were typical for many ancient civilizations.. In fact, if you look at the development of not only Egyptian, but also Chinese, and the Sumero-Akkadian language and writing in particular, you can see many similarities.

In particular, the structure of the evolutionary development of these languages ​​is almost identical, although there are differences in each version, which are determined by the peculiarities of culture and perception.

In general, hieroglyphs moved along an approximately identical path of development, from a picture image to a more schematic one. Thus, on initial stage in a language where hieroglyphic writing was used, only pictures were used that corresponded to the designated object.

For example, the word was indeed written as a schematic representation of a man in profile, and with the word woman an identical variant. Further, the language (and written speech in particular) continues to develop and the hieroglyphs have various additional meanings and functions.

For example, if a name is written in hieroglyphs, then the hieroglyph “man” or “woman” is added after the word so that the reader can understand which gender the given name belongs to.

How could Egyptians write down names if only pictures were used that meant certain words? Here, another direction was used in the development of written speech, which involved the use of various phonemes. Simply put, some hieroglyphs began to correspond to sounds.

Further, the Egyptian language moved towards the systematization and reduction of the number of hieroglyphs.. In order to write down long texts, scientists considered it more expedient to use not a huge number of a wide variety of hieroglyphs, but to use phonetic writing and various clarifying elements that make it possible to understand in what sense one or another set of hieroglyphs should be read.

Over time, hieroglyphic writing becomes obsolete and changes in Egypt to more modern forms language.

Even during the period of the use of hieroglyphs, there was a so-called hieratic - a special way of writing used for papyrus texts(hieroglyphs were mainly used for wall painting) something like Egyptian cursive writing.

In addition, demotic writing is developing towards the new era, which eventually completely replaces the hieroglyphs. If you look at the Egyptian texts made in Demotic, then outwardly they are almost indistinguishable from the Arabic script or similar variants of the written language.

At the same time, even a schematic demotic is based on Egyptian hieroglyphs. It’s just that over time they simplified and became more schematic and easier-to-write alphabet icons appeared.

Hieroglyphs of ancient Egypt with decoding in Russian

Going to Egypt, you can see a lot of souvenir alphabets that are sold by local merchants. In particular, near the pyramids and in other places saturated with tourists, stylized papyri are offered, on which certain hieroglyphs and the corresponding meanings of the letters of the Latin alphabet are indicated.

Furthermore, sometimes you can see a similar alphabet with a translation into Russian and actually learn the way words are written in hieroglyphs.

Of course, this looks a little strange, because it is unlikely that in Egypt they thought about adapting their own language to Cyrillic or Latin. Nevertheless, there is still a rational meaning in such correspondences.

Indeed, in the Egyptian language, over time, indeed phonetic equivalents began to be used for some hieroglyphs, in other words, a certain part of the hieroglyphs in addition to direct meaning began to appropriate and additional purely phonetic.

Thus it is possible to speak about the existence of the Egyptian alphabet. Although, of course, the scale of the Egyptian language did not correspond to the phonetic spectrum of Cyrillic or Latin. The sounds had their own specifics, and some of them differed from the alphabet you are used to.

There is nothing surprising in this, such examples exist to this day. For example, in the languages ​​of the Romance group, the sound ы is practically not used, nor is any letter or dephthong used to designate such a letter.

Thus and some sounds of the Egyptian language may be unusual for you, and some familiar sounds may be absent in this language.

Therefore, such alphabets of correspondences should be considered in a certain sense as a convention. Although, as a hobby, you can really learn to write words in Egyptian hieroglyphs and, moreover, not only you yourself, but also Egyptologists or other people who can read hieroglyphs can understand your letters.

The correspondence of Russian letters to hieroglyphs can be seen in the picture.

The Egyptian alphabet uses 24 basic letters. Recall that this classification is to a certain extent conditional, since different hieroglyphs can be used for identical letters and sounds. However, there are the most common characters that are used as an alphabet.

What do the symbols mean?

In addition to hieroglyphs, various Egyptian symbols are often better known. Many words that related to a religious cult could well be recorded from constituent parts . For example, the word Ra could consist of the hieroglyphs mouth + arm bent at the elbow, which phonetically gave a combination of sounds r + a.

In addition, there was a separate hieroglyph for writing, which looked like the hieroglyph "man" but had a special headdress, we are talking about the hieroglyph pharaoh or king, which could additionally mean the supreme deity.

In addition to the indicated spellings, there was also a religiously mystical version that used the hieroglyph of the eye (something like the all-seeing eye) or the Sun to designate Ra, that is, symbolic subtext, a metaphor, was also used here. Horus could also be denoted by the hieroglyph of the eye, since there was a common symbol of ujat - the eye of Horus, which was also used as a protective amulet.

Mysticism in Egypt was developed in a very significant way and each of the symbols used had a powerful charge and deep meaning. The symbolism of the Egyptian religion is deep and multifaceted. In addition, one should not forget about the development of the purely practical aspect of the Egyptian, from which, in all likelihood, many more modern cults developed.

Egyptian symbolism underlies many modern religions. Thus the Egyptian symbols must be considered more ancient and, in a certain sense, the basis for modern mystical symbolism. Therefore, if you want to use powerful symbols and amulets, then we advise you to turn your own eyes towards Egyptian symbols.

• ankh- probably the most common symbol that almost everyone knows about, is a cross in which the upper part is ring-shaped, is a symbol of eternity and is often associated with the Breath of Life, which the Egyptian deities endow with chosen people passing into the afterlife, should be generally interpreted like a symbol eternal life, an auspicious sign.

Ba- is depicted as a hawk with a human head, symbolizes the soul, but in the Egyptian religion, the presence of seven souls was attributed to a person, for example, there was a doctrine of Ka, which is more like an eternal and individual soul.

Nevertheless, Ba is a significant symbol, a kind of astral shell in which a person can act even after mummification, it was believed that Ba could also be contained in the statues that were erected for the pharaohs.

• Shenu- it looks like an oval, in fact, it is something like a rope ring that has neither beginning nor end, it is a protective symbol, the name of the owner was entered into the shenu and the outer ring saved the owner of this name from adversity, you can still purchase an amulet representing a shenu with your name written in.
• Feather Maat- looks like a symbol of a pen and represents an attribute of Maat, which is the embodiment of morality, balance and justice, this attribute indicates a commitment to justice and fairness.
• Ujat- the eye of Horus, is a symbol of healing and protection.
• Ra- can be depicted as a circle with a dot, or as a circle with symbolic rays, is in many ways the basis of Egyptian cosmogony and mythology, represents the supreme deity, the source of all blessings.

As a rule, such symbols were used not only in writing, but also separately to perform any religious and mystical rites or to create amulets.

How to use signs?

It doesn't really take any lengthy research or effort to try Egyptian magic. Many texts have been translated and studied, and a significant part of the written monuments that have survived to this day are:

• divination books
• religious books
• books describing spells and performing various rites

In addition, you can use purely practical elements of the teaching and perform certain ones. Most, of course, are inaccessible to the common man, but some involve only the use of spells and certain symbols.

Therefore, if you imagine the meaning of various symbols and can depict such signs, then you can very well take advantage of the developments of the Egyptian mystics. Recall that this tradition is one of the oldest available to contemporaries and has a high potential.

In addition, it is advisable to use Egyptian signs for amulets. For example, it is always useful to use a protective amulet like Shenu with your own name. The rest of the signs also have a powerful positive charge and can be used both as a personal talisman and for any space, for example, for a home or office.

Of the most powerful signs, the feather of Maat, the eye of Horus and Ankh should be noted. These signs have little different meaning, but can also be used in combination, since each is generally favorable for almost every person, although we are talking about respectable people, since in Egypt significant attention was paid to morality and morality.

The culture of Ancient Egypt from century to century excites the minds of lovers of secrets and mysteries. But, despite the huge number of archaeological finds, scientists still continue to make amazing discoveries and build incredible hypotheses about the life of the most ancient civilization.

Egyptian amulets are of particular interest. Many want to wear them as jewelry or get tattoos with ancient signs. But before doing this, it is worth understanding the Egyptian symbols and their meaning. Now we will deal with this.

Beliefs of Ancient Egypt: the role of symbols and talismans

Each nation had its own. Most often, the manufacture of amulets was carried out by people in charge - sorcerers, magicians, priests. By tradition, talismans were treated with respect and love, they were hidden from prying eyes, passed on by inheritance.

Magic symbols for the ancient Egyptians had a sacred meaning.

Ancient Egypt, like other cultures, had their own amulets. Some of them were used in everyday life, others were worn as decorations and never removed, and still others were taken out on special occasions.

The most famous Egyptian symbols are the ankh cross, the eye of Horus, the scarab beetle, and the cat. Almost everyone knows about them. Less recognizable are the knot of Isis, the feather of Maat, tyet, sesen. However, in Egyptian culture, they were also considered one of the leading signs.

It is worth noting that for the Egyptians, magical symbols acquired an even more sacred meaning than for other peoples. This is due to the widespread cult of the afterlife in ancient Egypt. The Egyptians treated the dead as if they were equal to the living.

They sent them on their eternal journey, decorating them with special amulets. Some of them were worn during life, and then went to the afterlife with the owner to continue to protect him in the next world.

Character classification

Egyptian signs are found on many items found by archaeologists. Among them are not only amulets, but also household and ritual items.

It is very easy to get confused in all this diversity, so now we will try to figure out how to systematize Egyptian amulets.

By appearance

Sacred Egyptian symbols were applied to a variety of objects. The oldest hieroglyphs covered not only things for personal use, but also temples, residential buildings, as well as tombs and sarcophagi placed in them.

What did Egyptian craftsmen make?

• figurines of Egyptian gods or figurines of animals;
• pendants in the form of sacred animals (often among them there was a scarab);
• jewelry with sacred symbols (rings, bracelets, necklaces).

A talisman in the form of an Egyptian cat will attract good luck and protect against witchcraft.

Egyptian symbols were applied not only to clothes, but also to household items. Like the Slavs, the ancient Egyptians tried to protect themselves from trouble as much as possible by depicting protective symbols on almost all of their things.

By color and material

The basis for the talismans was selected based on the purpose of the object or the need to assign some magical properties to it.

Some amulets were made from only one material, the most suitable, according to the priests.

What amulets were made of in Egypt:

• from wood;
• from stones (often met,);
• from metal (usually it was gold, silver or bronze);
• from wax.

Whatever Egyptian talisman you choose for yourself, do not forget to clean and activate it.

Colors were given no less attention than the material. They were chosen for a reason, but based on the value assigned to a particular shade.

By the presence of spells

Among other things, Egyptian amulets were classified by the presence of magic words, the so-called "words of power." The pronunciation of special spells over amulets was a common tradition.

But only priests were allowed to do this. People without magical abilities also used words of power, but in a different way. They did not read the magic words aloud, but simply applied them to the amulets.

The main types and meaning of Egyptian talismans

The heritage of Ancient Egypt consists not only of a huge number of amazing architectural structures, mummies and legends, but also of special Egyptian symbols and signs.

Some were used to denote something, while others were used as talismans. Now we will consider the most famous of them.

goes by many names. Coptic cross, the key of life, the knot of life, the cross with a loop, the key of the Nile, the crux of the ansat - whatever they call it. Already by the name, you can imagine what this symbol looks like, even if you have not seen it with your own eyes.

Outwardly, the ankh really resembles a cross - the lower vertical beam is longer than two horizontal ones, and in place of the upper beam there is a loop. The Egyptian cross, whose total meaning is immortality, was often depicted on tombs. It was believed that he illuminates the path to the afterlife for the deceased. On the amulets, the symbol meant something completely different - eternal life. It was worn to prolong existence on earth.

- one of the most famous Egyptian symbols in the world, not inferior in popularity to the cat symbol and the scarab beetle. In historical sources, it is mentioned under various names, including Wadjet and the eye of Ra. The Egyptians revered Horus as the god of the sky and the sun, portraying him in the guise of a man with the head of a falcon.

There is a legend that tells about the origin of the amulet. According to her, Horus lost his left eye in a battle with another deity. Set, lord of fury, sandstorms and war, knocked him out of Horus during the battle. Subsequently, the organ was restored, which led to the appearance of such a talisman.

People began to believe that the Eye of Horus had the ability to heal. In addition, it was believed that this Egyptian symbol endows its owner with insight, helps to comprehend secret knowledge and protects against dark magic.

Scarab beetle

To an uninitiated person, it may seem surprising that the Egyptians chose themselves as a talisman. However, in such a simple action as rolling balls out of excrement, the Egyptian people saw a sacred act.

This beetle makes perfectly round balls of dung and rolls them all day long in the sun where it needs to go. The process of rolling the ball reminded the Egyptians of the sun across the sky, and the scarab became for them the prototype of one of the images of the sun god - his morning incarnation, Khepri.

In this regard, the scarab was turned into a symbol of rebirth, a new beginning and bright changes. An amulet with a scarab symbol was worn in difficult times, so that it would give strength and help overcome difficulties.

Isis

Wife of Osiris and mother of Horus, Isis was one of the most important Egyptian goddesses. She was depicted as a woman with outstretched wings, whose head was crowned with a circle of the sun or cow horns. She patronized everyone who needed protection - poor artisans, slaves, children, and even the dead.

In the understanding of the Egyptians, Isis was the ideal mother, as well as the owner of feminine beauty. Her figures were placed in the house to improve the atmosphere of mutual understanding and happiness. In addition, the figurine was used as a talisman for pregnant women.

Another Egyptian symbol is associated with this goddess - the talisman knot of Isis. It is very similar to the Ankh cross, so it is easy to confuse them.

Cat

The Egyptians believed that the goddess of female beauty and the hearth, Bastet, had an earthly incarnation. It is not difficult to guess what kind of animal Bastet turned into, because she was always depicted with a cat's head. The goddess was responsible for home comfort, harvest, cleanliness and order in the house, as well as its protection.

The flourishing of the cult of Bastet was greatly favored by the dexterity and grace of cats. They were excellent hunters, which people decided to take advantage of, domesticating them to catch mice. In addition, there was a belief that cats are able to drive out evil spirits and are able to purify the energy of space with their presence.

Nowadays, the tattoo of an Egyptian cat has gained particular popularity. The owner of such a pattern on the body will be protected from failure and witchcraft.

Shenu

Shenu is different from other Egyptian amulets. This is not a general amulet that can protect the whole family, but an individual Egyptian symbol of protection. It looks like an oval, in which they hid what needs to be protected from negative influences.

Most often, someone's name was applied to the shenu - one's own or a close one, sometimes some symbol, a sacred inscription. It was believed that evil could not penetrate this fence, which means that it would not cause harm. The Egyptians wore the shenu symbol as an adornment, making it into a pendant, pendant for a necklace or bracelet.

The winged sun is considered one of the most powerful Egyptian symbols to help protect against evil. According to legend, it was this form that the god Horus once took, struggling with the plunge of Egypt into chaos.

The symbol was often found above the entrance to the tomb of the pharaohs. In this case, he acquired a new meaning - he protected the deceased, and also symbolized Egypt itself.

Sesen

Sesen is a symbolic image of a flower. This flower is a lotus. For the Egyptians, it means rebirth. The symbol got its meaning for a reason. The fact is that a real lotus hides at nightfall, closes the petals and is completely submerged under water. And every morning he seems to be reborn, appearing renewed before the world.

A talisman with such an Egyptian symbol will be useful to anyone who feels the need to complete the current life stage and start a new one, better than the previous one. Sesen in the form of a pendant or brooch is recommended for creative people who are in crisis, as well as for those who cannot get out of depression.

Feather Maat

The ancient Egyptian goddess Maat, daughter of Ra, was revered as the deity of justice. Maat, personifying law and order, helped restore the truth, bring light to the earth.

Like the goddesses of justice from other cultures, Maat was depicted blindfolded. This emphasized her impartiality as a judge.

The Egyptians believed that after death every person was judged. To determine the fate of the deceased, his soul was weighed on special scales. On the other side of the scale was the feather of Maat, which she wore on her head. If the weight of both weights turned out to be the same, the deceased found eternal peace, because he lived his life with dignity.

Heron

Many have heard about the phoenix, but few people know that the Egyptian heron served as the prototype for this fabulous bird. According to legend, Bennu, or Ben-Ben, appeared from the fire. Eternal life was available to him, but in order to live forever, Bennu had to be reborn every time.

As a talisman, things with the symbol of a heron are used to resurrect something - for example, withered feelings or a creative mood. Ben-Ben, symbolizing the infinity of being, will not only help you turn the page, but will also attract favorable changes.

Ra

Everyone has heard about the sun god Ra. And this is not surprising, because for the Egyptian people Ra was the supreme deity. He was often mentioned by historians and writers. The Egyptians worshiped Ra and decorated temples and residential buildings with the image of a god with a falcon's head.

A talisman with such a symbol has great power, because it contains a cleansing and life-giving solar energy. With its help, you can not only improve family well-being, but also protect yourself from enemies and evil spirits, become healthier, find happiness.

Ibis

Ibis is another sacred bird for the inhabitants of Ancient Egypt. She was an attribute of the god Thoth. And this is the answer to the question why the deity was depicted with the head of an ibis. He was the god of wisdom. He patronized everyone who sought to gain knowledge and sought to use it for the benefit of mankind.

The ibis will be a wonderful talisman for students, scientists and creative people. Such an amulet will assist in the development of the chosen area, reveal talent and help achieve career heights.

According to legend, Thoth lived among people for some time in the form of a white ibis and taught them the secret sciences. The deity is also credited with inventing the divination tarot cards of Thoth.

Tiet

The knot of Isis, better known as the tiet, strongly resembles the ankh cross. But in this symbol, the horizontal rays under the loop are lowered to the bottom. Properly made tiet must be red, because according to legend, the knot of Isis is her blood, and blood is considered a symbol of fertility.

But, despite this, not only women can wear it. The Tiet amulet has protective functions, which means that anyone who needs patronage can use it.

Tiet is simultaneously connected with the world of the living and with the world of the dead. The knot of this Egyptian goddess was girded around the deceased so that he would reach the final goal of the afterlife journey without getting lost along the way.

How to activate the Egyptian amulet

The culture of Ancient Egypt fascinates not only historians, but also ordinary people. And there is nothing strange in this, because the most ancient civilization left behind a lot of amazing architectural structures, legends and mysteries.

However, for us, the ancient Egyptian world remains largely unknown, so the heritage of the ancient Egyptians should be treated with caution. Before buying an Egyptian talisman, make sure you understand the meaning of the symbols depicted on it correctly.

In the case of using amulets with Egyptian hieroglyphs, the process of conducting the ritual of awakening their power will have its own characteristics, different from the traditions adopted in other cultures.

All Egyptian amulets can be divided into two categories:

• amulets figurines;
• amulets jewelry.

The activation methods for these amulets will be different. Focusing on the type of your amulet, select the appropriate ritual from those described below.

Amulets figurines

The figurine of the goddess Isis, the ideal of beauty and femininity in ancient Egypt, will help create harmony in the family.

Amulets with Egyptian symbols, made of natural material already have magical potential. After all, these figures are filled with natural energy received from the earth. But the activation step should not be skipped. It will help to quickly intermarry with the amulet, which will affect its return.

To charge the Egyptian talisman, wait for the growing moon, close to the full moon, and at nightfall, read a special plot:

“While the moon shines at night, while the sun warms during the day, protect me, protect me from evil spells, failures and diseases. Let it be the way I want it."

The plot is well suited for a small figurine, because it will be difficult to carry a large figurine with you.

Amulets-jewelry

All talismans need to be cleaned from time to time.

Jewelry with Egyptian symbols requires a slightly different approach. At the time of activation, they must be put on.

Amulets like rings, bracelets and necklaces have the ability to loop the negative that falls on its owner. The best way to charge such an object for positive - to use the energy of the sun. This is perfect for morning or afternoon. Make sure that the ritual takes place in a deserted place, on a sunny day.

Having put on the jewelry, stand facing the sun and put your right hand on the amulet. Clearly, slowly and without straying, pronounce the words of the conspiracy:

“Energy of the sun, proceed to this amulet, filling it to the brim. May the power of light contained in (name of jewelry) protect me from any evil, reflecting it back.

Do not remove the amulet for three days so that it is properly filled with strength. With the help of this conspiracy, you can activate not only locking jewelry, but also pendants or earrings.

Wear your amulet with pleasure, talk to it more often and do not forget to cleanse it of negativity, and it will serve you for a very long time!

Throughout the history of the great civilization of Ancient Egypt, the sun was given a special role. After all, the life of people on earth depended on it: heat drying up rivers or favorable weather, harvest or famine.

The symbol of the sun in ancient Egypt

The cult of worship of the sun was the main among the Egyptians, and numerous solar deities were considered the most important among all the others. The main king of the deities was Ra, he created other gods and goddesses. The ancients had a myth about how Ra sails on the Mandzhet boat along the heavenly river during the day, illuminating the earth with rays, and with the advent of evening, he transfers to the Masektet boat and travels through the afterlife during the night. In the morning, Ra again appeared on the horizon, giving people the warmth of the sun. Therefore, the sun was a symbol of rebirth and the continuity of life.
The pharaohs were revered as the deputies of the sun god on earth, being the guarantor of the well-being and happiness of their people. Symbolic - a winged solar disk, a pyramid, a scarab and a phoenix. The eyes of Ra are also a very common ancient Egyptian symbol that can ward off troubles and heal.

Sun star in ancient Egypt

It is not surprising that the Egyptians treated our star with such trepidation. After all, she bestowed warmth, influenced Agriculture the well-being and prosperity of the country depended on it.
An interesting fact is that they gave the name "stars of the sun" to an ordinary apricot. It did not grow in Egyptian lands due to climatic conditions, but was brought here from Asian countries. The sweet juicy fruit was so fond of the inhabitants of Egypt that they named it so poetically. By the way, the shape and color of the apricot is very similar to the sun, maybe this is where the unusual name came from.

Attributes and symbols of ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt owes its highly developed culture to the Nile. Due to cyclical floods, a pronounced belief in the other world was formed in the country, the model for which was the natural cycle of the emergence, disappearance and rebirth of life.

The ancient Egyptians were an extremely life-oriented people who largely tried to supplant the thought of age and death. Instead, the idea of ​​life in other world and about revival.

The thinking of the ancient Egyptian people was not rational - logical, but figurative - symbolic. There was a magical principle that all perfect, great things are reflected in something small, outwardly inconspicuous - both above and below, the macrocosm is equal to the microcosm. On this basis, the scarab beetle became a symbol of the rising sun, and the sky could be depicted as a cow. In the same way, it was possible, through symbolic actions and drawings, to influence important processes taking place in the world of the Gods and in the other world. The symbols themselves were attributed to their inherent inner strength, something like an essence or soul.

The typology of the symbolism of ancient Egyptian art is very extensive: it is the symbolism of form and size, location and material, color and number, hieroglyphic meaning and gesture. Interpreting an often ambivalent symbol, trying to achieve the most correct result, is a task of paramount importance and colossal complexity. Sometimes the graphic symbol has a living, anthropomorphic form: for example, the ankh symbol of life with hands carries a sacred fan behind the king, and the djed pillar, personifying the god Osiris and carrying the meaning of stability and strength, is equipped with eyes and supports the disk of the sun in the palms.

Symbols of life in ancient Egypt

Ankh since ancient times is in Egypt a symbol of eternal life in this and the other world. It is so connected with tradition that it was adopted by the Coptic Christians (an ethno-confessional group of Egyptian Arabs who profess Christianity, descendants of the pre-Arab population of Egypt) as a cross. In many images, the Gods hold the ankh in their hand or pass it on to people. Here we are talking about the breath of life that has become visible, so to speak, about the divine spark, thanks to which life in general can arise. In addition, the ankh personifies the life-giving properties of the elements of air and water. The origin of its form has not yet been explained. Perhaps we are talking about a magical knot, where sexual relations also play a role. It is possible to interpret the shape of the cross as a combination of the cross of Osiris in the shape of the letter T with the oval of Isis into a key that reveals the secrets of life. Ankh is one of the most important ancient Egyptian symbols with the meaning of "life" ("immortality"), also known as "crux ansat". The sign is very simple, but powerful. It combines two symbols - the cross, as a symbol of life, and the circle, as a symbol of eternity. Their combination signifies immortality. Ankh can be interpreted as the rising sun, as the unity of the male and female principles (the oval of Isis and the cross of Osiris), as well as the key to esoteric knowledge and the immortal life of the spirit. In hieroglyphic writing, this sign symbolized "life"; it was also part of the words "welfare" and "happiness." The Egyptians believed that the image of the ankh prolongs life on earth. With the same amulet, they were buried in order to be sure that the dead were waiting for life in another world. It was this form, according to the ideas of the ancient world, that the key had, which could open the gates of death. This symbol was also placed on the walls of water channels in the hope that it would protect against floods. Later, the ankh was used by sorceresses in rituals, divination, divination, healing and helping women in childbirth. During the hippie movement in the late 1960s, the ankh was a popular symbol of peace and truth. It is impossible to enumerate all the meanings of a symbol. A sign of happiness, prosperity, inexhaustible vitality, eternal wisdom. Such a loop of life was often worn by common people as an amulet, in the form of a knot. Like the ankh, it signifies eternity and immortality.

The sign of Tet, which was also called the "blood of Isis", was often given to the dead in the form of an amulet. It looks like an ankh, the handles of which are lowered down. In conjunction with the pillar of Djed on the walls of temples and in sarcophagi, it indicates the union of opposing forces and at the same time an ever-renewing life force.

Shenu - Shen's ring and at the same time a hieroglyph denoting eternity. He is often depicted in wall paintings with divine animals.

This emblem in the form of an oval with a straight line at the end is often called a cartouche. Inside there is a name written in hieroglyphs (for example, the name of the pharaoh), which the oval symbolically protects.

All-Seeing Eye - Wadget. A painted image of an eye with a spiral line under it is, as a rule, the emblem of the falcon-headed sky god Horus, a symbol of the all-seeing eye and the unity of the cosmos, the integrity of the universe. According to ancient Egyptian myth, the lunar eye of Horus was torn out by Set in the battle for supremacy among the gods, but after the victory of Horus in this battle, it grew again. This myth has become the reason for the extreme popularity of the eye of Horus as an amulet to ward off evil. The eye was also often depicted or carved on Egyptian tombstones - to help the dead in the afterlife. The spiral under the eye (resembling a galaxy in shape) symbolizes energy and perpetual motion.

The Eye of Horus was also associated with healing, as ancient Egyptian physicians often viewed illness as analogous to the battle between Horus and Set. In mathematics, the Eye had a curious function - it was used to represent fractions. According to one version of the myth, Set cut the torn eye of Horus into 64 parts, so its incomplete image symbolizes some kind of fractional number: the pupil is 1/4, the eyebrow is 1/8, etc.

The scarab is one of the most popular Egyptian symbols. It is known that dung beetles, which include the scarab, are able to skillfully sculpt balls from manure, rolling them in front of them. This habit, in the eyes of the ancient Egyptians, likened the scarab to the sun god Ra (the dung ball in this allegory is an analogue of the solar disk moving across the sky). The scarab was considered a sacred being in Ancient Egypt; figurines of this beetle, made of stone or glazed clay, served as seals, medals or talismans, meaning immortality. Such amulets were worn not only by the living, but also by the dead. In the latter case, the beetle was placed in a sarcophagus or inside the mummy - in place of the heart, while sacred texts were written on the back, smooth side of it (often the thirtieth chapter of the book of the dead, convincing the heart not to testify against the deceased at the afterlife court of Osiris). Often, the scarab figurines depicted only the upper part of the beetle, without paws, and the even oval base of the figurine was used to apply various kinds of inscriptions - from individual names and moralizing aphorisms to whole stories about outstanding events in the life of the pharaohs (hunting, marriage, etc.)

Winged solar disk. According to the myth, Horus took this form during the battle with the evil god Set. On both sides of the disk there is an image of a snake, which means the balance of opposing forces. The whole composition symbolizes protection and world balance. This sign was often depicted above the entrance to the tomb of the pharaoh; in this case, the disk in the center symbolized Horus, the wings - Isis protecting him, and the snakes - Lower and Upper Egypt.

Sesen is a lotus flower, a sign of the sun, creativity and rebirth. Due to the fact that at night the lotus flower closes and goes under water, and in the morning it rises again to bloom on the surface, and this association arose. One of the cosmogonic myths says that at the beginning of time a giant lotus rose from the waters of chaos, from which the sun appeared on the first day of the existence of the world. The lotus flower is also considered a symbol of Upper Egypt.

Feather Maat. The emblem symbolizes truth and harmony. Maat is the daughter and eye of Ra, the goddess of justice, truth and order. Together with her father, she participated in the creation of the world from chaos. Like its Greek counterpart, Themis, Maat is depicted blindfolded. The head of the goddess is adorned with an ostrich feather, which is her symbol and hieroglyph. According to the ideas of the ancient Egyptians, in the afterlife, the heart of the deceased was placed on one side of the scales, and the statuette of Maat was placed on the other. If both objects were balanced, then this meant that the deceased was worthy of bliss in the fields of reeds of Iaru (otherwise, he was devoured by a monster with the head of a crocodile and the body of a lion). The figurine of Maat on his chest was an invariable attribute of the judge.

Cat. For the Egyptians, the cat was the earthly incarnation of Bastet - the goddess of solar warmth, joy and fertility, the protector of pregnant women and children, the keeper of the hearth and harvest. Bastet, who personified such qualities as grace, beauty, dexterity and affection, is considered the Egyptian analogue of Aphrodite and Artemis. Her sculptures and paintings were used to protect the house from evil spirits. Naturally, cats were treated with great respect in ancient Egypt, and their murder was punishable by death. During life, this beast was an equal member of the family, and after death it was embalmed and placed in a sarcophagus, which was placed in a special necropolis.

Heron. The heron was considered a symbol of resurrection and eternal life (the prototype of the Phoenix bird) and personified Ben - one of the original, uncreated gods like Ra or Atum. According to the myth, at the beginning of creation, Benu appeared by himself on a stone that arose from water chaos. This stone - Benben - was one of the god's fetishes.

Isis. Goddess of fertility, water, wind and family fidelity Isis, the alleviator of birth pains and the protector of children, was one of the most important and ancient goddesses of the Egyptian pantheon. Her cult as a mother goddess was also reflected in Christianity. Isis was depicted as a woman (often winged), crowned with the hieroglyph "throne", or a falcon. Sometimes - in the form of a woman with cow horns and a solar disk on her head. Isis was the wife of Osiris and the mother of Horus. identified with such Greek goddesses like Demeter, Persephone, Hera.

Ra. An analogue of the Greek Helios, the supreme deity of the ancient Egyptian pantheon, the father of the gods. The title of the Son of Ra was also worn by all the pharaohs. The falcon was considered a sacred animal of Ra, in the form of which he was often depicted. Another option is a man with a falcon's head crowned with a solar disk or a double crown.

Ibis. The sacred ibis bird symbolized Thoth - the god of science and magic, the inventor of astronomy, medicine and geometry, the author of the Book of the Dead. He also served as a heavenly chronicler and patron of the moon (the calendar was compiled on the basis of the lunar phases). Depicted as an ibis or a man with the head of an ibis crowned with a lunar disk. Approximately corresponds to the Greek Hermes.

Attributes of ancient Egypt

About Egyptian crowns:

The eagle on the Egyptian crown means that the pharaoh, king, god - refers to Upper Egypt.

The snake on the Egyptian crown means that the pharaoh, king, god - refers to Lower Egypt.

If both a snake and an eagle are depicted on the crown, this means that the pharaoh, king, god - refers to Upper and Lower Egypt (Such a crown appeared when Upper and Lower Egypt merged into one).

The crown in the form of a solar disk refers to the gods: Ra, Atum, Amon, Amon-Ra, Aah, Khonsu, Hathor.

Three crowns of Egypt: 1. White crown of Upper Egypt. 2. Red crown of Lower Egypt. 3. Pshent, or the double crown of the united kingdom.

About Egyptian Attributes:

Heka (Hook): - This is a scepter that was worn not only by gods and kings, but also by high officials. An earlier, sometimes human-sized, form of a wand was originally a shepherd's stick and became an attribute of the shepherd's god Azepti; hence the well-known smaller and much twisted form developed. The sign-picture of this scepter served to designate the word "rule". During the Middle Kingdom, the hook as a sign of Osiris was placed on the friezes of the tombs.

Neheh (Scourge): The so-called whip (Egyptian for "neheh") consists of a short handle with two or three hanging strips or strings of pearls. It was interpreted as a shepherd's whip, which became a sign of power through the god Anesti, "Head of the Eastern nomes." Another original meaning of the whip is a fan of flies. The scourge is a permanent attribute of the gods Osiris and Ming. Already in the ancient kingdom, it is located on the backs of animals consecrated by the gods. The whip, as a symbol of power, also serves kings.

Was (Scepter of Was): Was was in ancient times. kind of fetish in which, as implied. the healing powers of an underground demon resembling a dog or a jackal are enclosed. Uas consists of a forked stick at the bottom, which ends at the top with the head of an animal (jackal). In the hands of the gods, it becomes a scepter of well-being and a symbol of health and happiness. Before the Middle Kingdom, the dead were given a wooden was scepter with them to the grave, so that they could use it to enjoy divine benefits. Later, this symbol was decorated with friezes on the walls of tombs. A popular motif at all times was the image of two uas scepters, which bordered the field of a picture or inscription along the edges and supported the ideogram “sky” with their heads. Decorated with the sky and a feather, the waset scepter was the sign of the Theban nome and bore the name waset.

Colors of Ancient Egypt

The main Egyptians used: dark green, black, red, light blue, yellow (gold), white colors. If you think a little about why these colors played a certain role in Ancient Egypt, then you can understand that each color means a small piece of nature, and what could be more beautiful than nature ...