|
Xprr
Scarab Beetle (Scarabaeus sacer)
One usually wouldn't associate a God with a dung beetle, but Khepri "He who is Coming into Being" was. Worshipped as a creator and solar deity, he was portrayed as a scarab or beetle-headed man. This seems an odd choice for such a great personage. But, when one sees that the dung beetle rolls its egg in a ball of dung (round like the sun) and its babies pop out (as life emerges from the primeval mound), it's not such a great stretch. Due to these aspects, the ancient Egyptians believed the scarab was capable of spontaneous creation.
Since the time of the Middle Kingdom (2055 BC - 1650 BC), the beetle was used in amulets, necklaces and bracelets. Also, a scarab funerary talisman was placed over the heart of the deceased. It was believed that this helped the dead from confessing sins during their interrogation; preventing the heart from bearing witness against the deceased.
*Source:
"Ancient Egypt" by Lorna Oakes and Lucia Gahlin, pg. 287, 395 © Anness Publishing Ltd 2002, 2006
Egyptian word from Ancient Expressions
|
|
All images © 2007 Seshat Taharqa. All rights reserved.
|
