Egyptian Scarab Beetle
Category: Ancient Egypt Views: 5485
Egyptian Scarab Beetle
Scarab beetles are a species of dung beetles, attributed with a sacred status by ancient Egyptians. You might have heard of sacred amulets and other Egyptian jewelry that depict sacred scarab beetles. They are not mythological characters created by ancient Egyptians, but, in fact, are some species of dung beetles. These ordinary beetles were linked to Egyptian Gods and were depicted in jewelery, seals, etc. Let us take a look at some interesting Egyptian scarab beetle facts.
What are Scarab Beetles
As mentioned above, some species of dung beetles, especially, the Scarabaeus sacer are commonly known as scarabs. Some scarab beetles are among the largest in the world. These beetles feed on dung, partially or fully and hence the name, dung beetles. While, most species of scarabs make spherical dung balls, which are used for food or as brooding chambers, some other live in the dung itself. The beetles that belong to the first category are termed as rollers, whereas the latter are called as dwellers. There is one more category of scarabs, that bury the dung, found by them. These scarab beetles are called tunnelers. However, it is this dung rolling habit of scarab beetles, that was noticed by the ancient people and was linked to religion and God. The ancient Egyptians associated this beetle with their God and started depicting it as a sacred symbol. Egyptian scarab beetles are still one of the most important scared symbols in Egypt.
Scarab Beetle in Ancient Egypt
Now, we know that scarab beetles were considered scared in ancient Egypt and these insects were linked with religion and mythology of the land. You may wonder how these beetles got the sacred status in Egypt? As mentioned above, it is the dung rolling habit of the scarab beetles, that was noticed by the people of ancient Egypt. They found the young ones of scarab beetles emerge from the dung balls, all of a sudden and linked them to their God Khepri/Khephri, the God of rising sun. According to their belief, Khepri too created himself out of nothing. The ancient Egyptians believed that like Kephri, the scarab beetles too emerge out of nowhere, as according to them, only male scarabs existed. Thus, they started linking scarab beetles to the God and scarab beetle symbolism stands for regeneration, transformation, renewal, and resurrection. Egyptian scarab beetle has also been connected to the Egyptian Sun God Ra. According to Egyptian mythology, this God renews the sun daily, by rolling it across the sky during daytime and carries it to another world, so that it get renewed for the next day. The scarab beetles that carry dung rolls were compared to this God, who carries the sun every day. This was another reason for attributing sacred status to these beetles. Egyptian scarab beetles were also as important part of the ancient Egyptian funeral rites. Scarab beetles made of green stone (known as heart scarabs) were placed on the chest of the deceased, before burying them. While the heart scarabs are not pierced, those beetles used as amulets are pierced for wearing as necklace and have three hieroglyphics depicting the dwarf-god Bes. Thus the ancient Egyptians started depicting these beetles in temples, tombs, hieroglyphs, seals, jewelery, artworks, good luck charms, etc.
Now, you know more about Egyptian scarab beetles, which are sacred symbols of the land. These Egyptian scarab beetles come in different forms, like, jewelery, amulets, good luck charms, etc. Egyptian scarab beetle meaning includes hope, resurrection, restoration of life, renewal, transformation, etc. This sacred symbol comes in different designs, like, the winged ones, where the blue wings represent the Nile River.
By Sonia Nair
Published: 3/30/2010
Source Here
Thank you!
ॐ Namasté - Blessings!
© 2008-2021 crystalwind.ca. All rights reserved.
Featured This Month
Spirit of White Tiger
Spirit of White Tiger Role: Seeker of Personal Truth Lesson: Power of Conv... Read more
Crystal Gem: Grids and Gridding
What are Crystal Gem Grids? They are tools for empowerment, for blessings, ... Read more
Pisces Mythology
The Mythology of Pisces By most accounts, the mythology of Pisces follows a... Read more
The Folklore and Mythology Surrounding Crick…
Crickets "A Loud Cricket means Money is Coming" When it comes to Chine... Read more
Sun in Pisces
Sun in Pisces February 22 through March 20 An Overview of Sun Sign Characte... Read more
Spring Equinox - Ostara
Celebrated on the Spring Equinox, around March 20-21 each year. Ostara is a... Read more
Birth Totem - Wolf
Birth Totem Wolf Birth dates: February 19 - March 20 Birth Totem: Wolf Cl... Read more
Spring/Ostara 10 Minute Guided Meditation Fo…
Welcome to this 10 minute guided meditation to help welcome the Spring Equin... Read more
Cartomancy - Fortune Telling Using Playing C…
Cartomancy is the act of divining using cards. Divining means to find out by... Read more
The Ash Tree - February 18 - March 17
Celtic Symbol : The Trident Or Sea - Horse Zodiac Degrees : 28º00` Aquarius... Read more