Stephen Byrne
History for Kids: The Egyptian Ankh
Discusses Egyptian hieroglyphics and the importance of the symbol Ankh in ancient Egypt.
Curated OER
Eternal Egypt: Ankh Amulet
This blue faience amulet represents the hieroglyphic sign ankh, which means "life." It was depicted on tomb and temple walls with gods holding it in their hands or close to the noses of kings and other deceased people to give them the...
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Eternal Egypt: Oryx Amulet
The amulet depicts an oryx, a large desert-dwelling antelope that was hunted by the Egyptians. It is standing on the ground with plants attached to its neck.
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Eternal Egypt: Heart Amulet
"Do not say any bad thing against me before Osiris, the great God of the dead." This is the spell from Chapter 30 of the Book of the Dead asking the deceased's heart to be silent during judgment. This spell is written on the back of the...
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Eternal Egypt: Leg of Bull Amulet
An unusual amulet of the leg of a bull of the sort that was called an "assimilation amulet," which confers on its wearer the attributes of the animal. This amulet provides its possessor with the savage strength, the courage and the...
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Eternal Egypt: Lotus Amulet Pendant
A lovely pendant that is both a piece of jewelry and an amulet. It is formed of three lotus flowers; the central one is an open flower while the laterals ones are still buds. This pendant provides its wearer with the characteristics of...
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Eternal Egypt: Head of Hathor Pendant
This beautiful pendant represents the head of Hathor. This type of jewelry was considered to be an amulet and to provide its wearer with the attributes of the goddess, which are love, motherhood and protection as with all the deities.
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Eternal Egypt: Heart Amulet With a Chain
This is a heart amulet of lapis lazuli, made to be hung from a golden chain. It should have hung from the neck of the owner's mummy. The heart amulet (or a scarab) should be placed within the chest of the mummy as a substitute for the...
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Eternal Egypt: Amulet in the Form of a Cow
The gold cow might have been used as an amulet or a piece of inlay. Attached to its neck is a sistrum, which is a musical rattle and symbol of the goddess Hathor. In Ancient Egypt, the cow is Hathor's sacred animal.
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Eternal Egypt: Necklace of Princess Khnumit
The beautiful necklace of Princess Khnumit was found on her mummy. It was worn not only as jewelry, but also as an amulet to protect her from the evil powers in the netherworld. The center of the necklace is decorated with the Ankh sign,...
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Eternal Egypt: Amulet in Form of Two Fingers
The amulet depicts a pair of fingers. In the netherworld, a pair of fingers could substitute for damaged body parts or organs and could be used for protection against magic.
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Eternal Egypt: Amulet of Ptah in a Gold Shrine
The amulet represents the god Ptah as a mummiform figure, wearing a straight beard and an unusual headdress. His hands emerge from the shroud to hold the djed pillar, the emblem of the god Osiris. This figure is set within a decorated...
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Eternal Egypt: Jewelry in the Form of a Falcon
This small piece of jewelry, which is 7cm long, is falcon-shaped to represent the god Horus, son of Isis and Osiris.