The Jewelry of Ancient Egypt
Symbolism
Goddesses, Gods, Gems, and Bugs
Ancient Egypt was vivid with their beliefs, sacred elements, and prized animals. The civilization treasured much of their natural habitat and used jewelry as a means of encouraging protection, wealth, and abundance in their lives.
The Totems
The scarab beetle represented rebirth. When scarabs laid eggs, they'd lay many of them and when they hatched, they'd look like they were spawning from themselves. Mummies have since been discovered with scarab necklaces for health and safety in the afterlife.
The Ankh stood for immortality, and was referred to as "the breath of life".
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A figure of the Eye of Horus (or wadjet) was thought to offer protection.
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The cartouche was an oval plaque with hieroglyphs, denoting a king's or other royal's name.
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Pharaohs often wore Uraeus, a rearing cobra, as a sign of power.
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(Liu, 2021)
The Gems
In ancient Egypt, precious gemstones represented different offerings and they were traditionally worn to attract specific things. Emeralds were though to promote fertility. Malachite was though to promote healing. Turquoise symbolized happiness and abundance of water. Carnelian was worn by the ill to purify the blood. Amethyst stood for royalty and wealth. Whether set in metal or used as inlay in pieces, these stones were treasured and meant to attract what to the wearer, what the stone represented.
