Glossary

7.2 Amulets, Talismans, and Protective Magic

3 min read•july 22, 2024

Ancient Egyptians used amulets and talismans for protection and power. These objects, like the and beetle, held deep symbolic meanings. They were worn in daily life and placed on mummies to safeguard the deceased.

Amulets were made from various materials, including and precious stones. Each had specific purposes in funerary practices, placed strategically on mummies. The provided spells to activate their magical properties, ensuring protection in the afterlife.

Types and Purposes of Amulets and Talismans

Types and meanings of amulets

Top images from around the web for Types and meanings of amulets

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Top images from around the web for Types and meanings of amulets

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  • Eye of Horus (Wedjat eye) represents healing, protection, and wholeness associated with the god Horus and his restored eye after being torn out by Seth
  • Scarab beetle symbolizes rebirth, regeneration, and the rising sun often depicted pushing the sun disk, representing the daily solar cycle ()
  • , a hieroglyphic symbol meaning "life", represents eternal life and regeneration associated with the gods Osiris and Ra
  • symbolizes stability and endurance associated with the god Osiris and his resurrection after being killed by Seth
  • (Isis knot) represents protection and the goddess Isis symbolizing the blood of Isis and her magical powers used to resurrect Osiris
  • placed on the chest of the deceased to prevent the heart from testifying against them in the afterlife judgment inscribed with Chapter 30B of the Book of the Dead

Purpose of protective magic

  • Amulets and talismans believed to possess magical powers offering protection against evil forces, diseases, and misfortune ensuring good health, fertility, and success in life ()
  • Used in daily life by both the living and the deceased worn as jewelry, sewn into clothing, or carried as pocket pieces
  • Placed on the body during mummification to protect the deceased in the afterlife guiding them through the dangers of the Duat (underworld)
  • Magical spells and incantations often recited over amulets to activate their powers using spells from the Book of the Dead
  • Amulets also used in medical practices believed to aid in healing and prevent illnesses used in conjunction with herbal remedies and other treatments ()

Materials, Production, and Funerary Practices

Materials and production of amulets

  • Common materials used include:
    1. Faience: glazed ceramic material in various colors, most often blue or green symbolizing rebirth and regeneration
    2. Semi-precious stones: carnelian, , turquoise, and jasper each with specific symbolic meanings (carnelian for blood and life force)
    3. Precious metals: and associated with the gods and eternal life
    4. Other materials: wood, bone, and glass
  • Production techniques involve:
    1. Molding: faience amulets often made using clay molds allowing for mass production
    2. Carving: stone amulets carved and polished by skilled artisans using copper chisels and abrasives
    3. Metalworking: gold and silver amulets cast, hammered, or cut into shape using lost-wax casting and other techniques
  • Amulets often mass-produced, especially those made of faience allowing for widespread distribution and accessibility to various social classes

Amulets in funerary practices

  • Amulets played a crucial role in ancient Egyptian funerary practices believed to protect the deceased on their journey to the afterlife ensuring the preservation of the body and the soul's well-being
  • Specific amulets placed on the mummified body:
    1. Heart scarab on the chest to prevent the heart from testifying against the deceased during the weighing of the heart ceremony
    2. Ankh, djed pillar, and tyet placed on the neck and torso for protection and regeneration symbolizing eternal life and the resurrection of Osiris
    3. Wedjat eye placed on the abdomen to restore wholeness and offer protection associated with the healing of Horus' eye
  • Amulets also included in the wrappings of the mummy and within the tomb providing additional protection and ensuring the deceased had access to magical powers (shabti figurines)
  • The Book of the Dead included spells related to the use and activation of funerary amulets recited during the mummification process and burial to ensure the amulets' efficacy (Chapter 6 for the heart scarab)

Key Terms to Review (21)

Ankh: The ankh is an ancient Egyptian symbol representing life and immortality, often depicted as a cross with a loop at the top. This iconic symbol is deeply connected to various aspects of Egyptian religion, mythology, and daily life, serving as a representation of the divine and eternal existence.
Apotropaic magic: Apotropaic magic refers to rituals, symbols, or objects that are intended to ward off evil or harmful forces. This practice is deeply rooted in ancient traditions and is often associated with the use of amulets and talismans, which are believed to provide protection against malevolent spirits or misfortune. The significance of apotropaic magic lies in its ability to create a protective barrier between individuals and potential threats, reflecting a broader cultural understanding of the need for safety and security in daily life.
Binding spells: Binding spells are magical incantations designed to restrict or control the actions of a person, entity, or situation. These spells are often used in protective magic to prevent harm or negative influences from affecting an individual or community. The purpose of binding spells is not to harm others, but rather to create a safeguard against potential threats and maintain balance.
Book of the Dead: The Book of the Dead is an ancient Egyptian funerary text that served as a guide for the deceased in the afterlife, containing spells, prayers, and incantations designed to assist the soul's journey and ensure a favorable judgment. It reflects core beliefs about the afterlife, divine judgment, and the importance of religious rituals within ancient Egyptian society.
Burial goods: Burial goods are items placed in a grave or tomb to accompany the deceased into the afterlife, serving both practical and symbolic purposes. These objects often include personal belongings, tools, food, and religious artifacts, reflecting the beliefs and status of the individual. They were considered essential for ensuring a safe passage and a prosperous existence in the next world.
Djed Pillar: The djed pillar is an ancient Egyptian symbol that represents stability and is often associated with the god Osiris, embodying resurrection and eternal life. This symbol plays a crucial role in various religious rituals and beliefs, particularly in the context of the Osirian myth cycle, protective magic, and the mummification process, emphasizing the importance of stability in life and the afterlife.
Ebers Papyrus: The Ebers Papyrus is an ancient Egyptian medical text dating back to around 1550 BCE, considered one of the oldest and most important sources of medical knowledge from ancient times. It includes a wealth of information on various medical practices, diseases, and remedies, highlighting the significance of amulets and protective magic in the treatment of illnesses during that era. The papyrus demonstrates the intertwining of medical practices with spiritual beliefs, showcasing how healing often involved both physical treatments and magical elements.
Eye of Horus: The Eye of Horus is an ancient Egyptian symbol representing protection, royal power, and good health. It is associated with the god Horus, who is often depicted as a falcon, and the symbol itself embodies the concepts of wholeness and restoration. This emblem played a crucial role in various aspects of life in ancient Egypt, including religion, the universe's structure, and magical practices.
Faience: Faience is a glazed non-clay ceramic material that was widely used in ancient Egypt, known for its bright colors and intricate designs. This material was particularly significant for crafting amulets, decorative items, and small sculptures that held protective and symbolic meanings in ancient Egyptian culture. Faience often featured turquoise, green, and blue glazes, representing fertility and rebirth, which were essential themes in the context of amulets and protective magic.
Gold: Gold is a highly valued, precious metal that holds significant cultural and religious importance, especially in ancient Egypt. Its rarity and luster made it a symbol of divine power, eternal life, and protection, often used in amulets and as decoration in tomb architecture to safeguard the deceased in the afterlife.
Good fortune: Good fortune refers to a favorable set of circumstances or luck that leads to positive outcomes in life. In ancient Egyptian culture, this concept was closely tied to the use of amulets, talismans, and protective magic, which were believed to enhance one's luck and safeguard individuals from misfortune. The pursuit of good fortune was integral to the spiritual practices of the time, as people sought the blessings of the gods to ensure prosperity and protection in their daily lives.
Heart scarab: A heart scarab is a funerary amulet in the shape of a scarab beetle that was placed on the chest of the deceased during mummification in ancient Egypt. This sacred object symbolized resurrection and protection, believed to weigh the heart of the deceased against the feather of Ma'at during the judgment in the afterlife, determining their fate. The heart scarab was often inscribed with prayers and spells to aid the deceased in their journey beyond death.
Khepri: Khepri is an ancient Egyptian deity often represented as a scarab beetle or a man with a scarab for a head, symbolizing the rising sun and the concept of rebirth. This god is crucial to understanding the significance of solar deities in Egyptian mythology, as Khepri embodies the transformative power of the sun and its daily renewal, connecting to various aspects of life, death, and protection.
Lapis lazuli: Lapis lazuli is a deep blue metamorphic rock that has been prized for its vibrant color and used in jewelry, ornaments, and amulets since ancient times. In the context of protective magic, lapis lazuli was believed to offer protection and promote wisdom, making it a popular choice for amulets and talismans in various cultures, especially in ancient Egypt.
Middle Kingdom: The Middle Kingdom refers to a period in ancient Egyptian history that lasted from around 2050 to 1710 BCE, marked by political stability, economic prosperity, and cultural flourishing. This era is characterized by the re-establishment of centralized authority following the chaos of the First Intermediate Period and significant advancements in art, literature, and religion.
Mummy wrappings: Mummy wrappings are layers of linen cloth used to encase the body of a deceased individual in ancient Egyptian burial practices. These wrappings served both practical and symbolic purposes, protecting the body during the process of mummification and ensuring the deceased's safe passage to the afterlife. The use of mummy wrappings is deeply intertwined with the beliefs surrounding death, protection, and the importance of preserving the body for the soul's journey.
New Kingdom: The New Kingdom was the period of ancient Egyptian history from approximately 1550 to 1070 BCE, known for its wealth, power, and extensive building projects. This era saw significant developments in religion, including the rise of local and regional deities, and influential myths like that of Osiris and Isis.
Scarab: A scarab is a beetle, specifically the dung beetle, that holds significant symbolic meaning in ancient Egyptian culture, representing transformation, rebirth, and the cycle of life. This creature was associated with the sun god Ra and the concept of resurrection, making it an important figure in various aspects of religion and funerary practices.
Silver: Silver is a precious metal known for its value and beauty, often used in jewelry and currency. In ancient Egypt, silver was not only seen as a symbol of wealth but also held magical properties, making it integral to the creation of amulets and talismans that provided protection and ensured favor from the gods.
Sympathetic magic: Sympathetic magic is a belief system where actions performed on one object will directly affect another object, often based on a perceived connection between the two. This type of magic is rooted in the idea that like affects like, meaning that imitating an action can produce a desired outcome. It often manifests in practices involving amulets, talismans, and rituals that seek to harness these connections to provide protection or bring about specific results.
Tyet: The tyet, often referred to as the 'blood of Isis,' is an ancient Egyptian symbol representing protection, welfare, and good fortune. It is associated with the goddess Isis and is often depicted as a red cloth or a knot. This amulet was commonly used in rituals and personal adornments to invoke protection and blessings for the wearer.
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