Minneapolis Institute of Art

Scarab

Egypt

Date

1567–1320 BCE

Medium

faience

Culture

Ancient Egyptian

Department

Arts of Global Africa

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

The belief in the power of amulets to protect the wearer continues to this day, for example, with the practice of carrying lucky coins or rabbit’s feet. In ancient Egypt, amulets accompanied the living and the dead, and took many forms, from animals to gods. On mummies, they were arranged in elaborate patterns to accompany the dead to the next world. The Djed pillar amulets indicate firmness, stability, and preservation. Often called the “backbone of Osiris, ” they were placed near the mummy’s neck or spine. The scarab, also shown here, was one of the most popular amulets, representing the sun god Re. (Scarabs were often inscribed on the reverse, and worn by the living, used as seals, and as funereal amulets to ensure rebirth. Blue, seen on both the Djed and the scarab, symbolized regeneration.) The Bes amulet depicts the god of happiness in a simplified form. A spirit protective of the household, including women and children, his depiction in amulet form—frontally, often with a lion’s head and mane—was worn by the living on a regular basis. Ancient Egyptian, Africa

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