The Mystery of Ancient Egyptian Symbols

Described in ancient texts as the “Words of the Gods,” these symbols were frequently used in religious rituals and magic in Egypt. Each symbol carries its own unique meaning, characteristic of the belief culture of the Egyptians, enriching the cultural identity of this traditional nation.

Ankh – Symbol of Eternal Life

Ankh is the Egyptian hieroglyph meaning “life.” Only Pharaohs, Queens, and deities were allowed to bear this symbol as it was believed to bestow the power to give or take life from others.

It is also regarded as the “key of life” due to its key-like shape, promoting the belief that it could unlock the “gates of the underworld.” Ankh evokes the image of the sun rising on the horizon, symbolizing rebirth every day.

From the Middle Kingdom (1986 – 1759 BC), the term Ankh was also used to refer to mirrors, interestingly, mirrors were created in the shape of this symbol. It later inspired the symbol representing the goddess Venus of Greece, which became widely recognized as the symbol of Venus, femininity, or the sign for copper.

Later, with the advent of Christianity, it was used by the Christian Church in Egypt as a symbol akin to a special form of the cross.

Eye of Horus – Symbol of Wisdom, Protection, and Health

The Eye of Horus (or Egyptian Eye) – a symbol of power in ancient Egypt – is widely recognized around the world due to its ongoing usage today.

According to experts, the Eye of Horus resembles the eye of a hawk. The deity Horus represents health, life, and rebirth.

In Egyptian mythology, Horus is the deity of ancient Egypt manifested as a hawk. The right eye of the hawk is the Eye of Horus, representing the Sun, while the left eye symbolizes the Moon and the deity Thoth. The ancients believed that this immortal symbol would assist in reincarnation, which is why it was found beneath the 12th layer of the mummy of King Tutankhamun.

According to Egyptian legend, Seth, the brother of Horus, killed Osiris. Horus fought Seth to avenge his father’s death and lost his left eye in battle. Thoth, the deity of magic and the Moon, used his powers to restore Horus’s eye.

When this eye was presented to Osiris, he was reborn. The Eye of Horus, also known as “Oudjat”, symbolizes protection against evil and brings wisdom and erudition.

Over time, the Eye of Horus was adopted by physicians who developed it into the Rx symbol seen on prescriptions. Thus, it signifies healing and unity.

In the 2nd century, Galen borrowed this mystical symbol from Egyptian mythology to impress his patients. It gradually evolved into the Rx symbol used in modern prescriptions, representing healing and unity.

Feather of Maat – Symbol of Truth, Morality, and Justice

The feather is considered the symbol of goddess Maat. The heart of the deceased is weighed against the feather of Maat on the Day of Judgment.

If it is the heart of an honest person, it will weigh the same as the feather, and that person will be allowed to enter the Kingdom of Osiris. Conversely, if the heart is heavy with sins, it will outweigh the feather, and that person will be fed to the monster Ammut.

The Maat Trial

It is the responsibility of the Pharaohs to establish and maintain Maat’s law as a means to keep cosmic order in balance. When a Pharaoh dies, Maat temporarily disappears, and the world falls into chaos until a new Pharaoh ascends the throne.

Crook and Flail – Symbol of Strength and Royal Power

The Crook and Flail often appear as a pair, commonly used since the Middle Kingdom, serving as a symbol similar to a scepter to affirm the strength and power of the king. This duo originates from the ancient Egyptian agricultural god, Anedjti, who is depicted wearing a crown adorned with two feathers and holding the characteristic crook and flail. Later, Anedjti was conflated with Osiris, and all attributes of this deity were transferred to Osiris.

The hook is held in the left hand while the crook is held in the right hand. The hook (heq) symbolizes femininity or “spiritual power” of a Pharaoh, affirming the role as the protector of the people or the “shepherd” – the God responsible for leading and caring for His “flock.” The crook (nekhakha) represents masculinity and the aspect of tangible power, as the Pharaoh is a mortal yet represents all the gods ruling over three realms: the metaphysical, cosmic, and earthly. It also represents the farmer – the one who produces food and oversees all life on the fields (the crook was used as a tool for threshing grain by ancient Egyptian farmers).

The message serves as a reminder that a truly talented leader must know how to combine discipline with wisdom and understanding, and must have compassion to temper justice and make the most correct judgments. Their holding position also carries different meanings. In ancient times, crossing the arms over the chest signified death, and the deceased were often buried in this position. However, when the hook and crook are crossed in this way, it symbolizes resurrection, as seen in images often found on the tomb of King Tutankhamun. When held straight out in front, it signifies judgment, often depicted in association with the god Anubis, the deity of the Underworld and the judge in the Maat trial.

It is believed that the character X originates from the image of the two crossed crooks and hooks, symbolizing death and rebirth. In its original context, the term “ex” – symbolized by the letter X – means dead, as in the term ex-husband, referring to a deceased spouse.

Scarabs – Symbols of Strength, Creativity, and Transformation

The scarab beetle represents the sun god Khepri, associated with rebirth. Scarabs typically lay their eggs in the dung of other animals, rolling them up like balls and burying them, marking the beginning of the life cycle of a baby scarab. The Egyptians likened this behavior to the movement of the “sun ball” rolling across the sky and its daily rebirth.

Ancient Egyptians believed that a scarab flying in the sky each morning would call the sun up. Therefore, the scarab became a symbol of the rising sun, used to protect against evil spirits, embodying rebirth, creativity, transformation, and bestowing strength upon its bearer.

Large-winged scarabs and heart-shaped scarabs were considered good luck insects, placed on mummies to protect them from evil. When Pharaoh Amenhotep III passed away, hundreds of scarab-shaped souvenirs were made to commemorate milestones in his life.

Lotus – Symbol of the Sun, Purity, Creativity, and Rebirth

Egypt has two native species of lotus: white lotus and blue lotus, with the later addition of pink lotus imported from Persia. All three types of lotus are depicted in Egyptian art, with blue lotus being the most commonly used. According to Egyptian creation theory, in the primordial state, a giant lotus flower arose from the ocean of chaos. From this lotus, the sun first appeared on Earth.

The golden bud within the blue lotus led Egyptians to associate it with the sun rising from the original ocean, as in the legend of the creation of all things. At night, the flower closes its petals and sinks beneath the water, only to bloom brilliantly again at dawn. The blue and white lotus varieties were widely used in medicinal preparations. In mathematics, the lotus symbol represents the number 1,000. It is also a symbol of Upper Egypt and represents the resurrection of Isis.

Uraeus: The Royal Symbol

The Uraeus is used as a symbol of royalty, sovereignty, and divinity in ancient Egyptian culture.

Typically, Uraeus is depicted as an upright cobra and is attached to the crowns of Pharaohs.

Uraeus is an upright cobra, attached to the crowns of Pharaohs.

Additionally, Uraeus is considered a symbol of the goddess Wadjet, one of the first deities depicted as a snake in Egypt, the protector of the Nile Delta in Lower Egypt. Meanwhile, the vulture goddess Nekhbet represents Upper Egypt.

Interestingly, the embodiments of both goddesses (cobra and vulture) were featured together on the crowns of the Pharaohs after the unification of Egypt.

One of the most famous Uraeus symbols found is the golden snake from the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun.

Besides being a decorative element, Uraeus was also used as jewelry and amulets.

In ancient Egyptian writing, the Uraeus symbol was used decoratively in hieroglyphs describing “tomb, temple” or “construction.”

The most famous Uraeus symbol belongs to Pharaoh Senusret II – the fourth king of the 12th Dynasty, found at the Senusret II pyramid, currently housed in the Cairo Museum. His snake is made entirely of pure gold, measuring 6.7 cm in length. Its eyes are inlaid with black granite, the head made of turquoise, and its raised hood is inlaid with dark carnelian and lapis lazuli.

Today, the Uraeus symbol appears frequently in popular culture, in various fields such as art, fashion, and crafts.

Djed: Associated with Special Rituals

Djed is regarded as one of the most important, sacred, and ancient symbols of ancient Egyptian culture. Symbolizing stability and resurrection, Djed is associated with Osiris, considered the deity of the afterlife and ruler of the underworld.

Wall painting of the Djed ritual of ancient Egyptians.

The Djed symbol resembles a straight vertical pillar with around three horizontal bars, playing a vital role for ancient Egyptians.

In ancient Egypt, a ritual known as “raising the Djed” was conducted, often organized by the Pharaoh coinciding with the start of the agricultural season.

This special ritual was held to honor the god Osiris, representing His resurrection, while also demonstrating the power and stability of the Pharaoh.

In addition, the Djed symbol has been discovered on hieroglyphic inscriptions, on sarcophagi, symbolizing resurrection, as well as in many ancient architectural structures.

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