Amidst the desert, oases and the Nile, symbols emerged that were strongly associated with the ancient Egyptian people and were part of their daily and religious beliefs. Among the most prominent symbols were insects, especially the scarab, which was not just an insect for them, but a great symbol of creation, life and rebirth. The scarab was more than just a small creature that walked on the ground, it carried with it very large meanings that illustrate how the ancient Egyptians viewed the world, death and life from a very special perspective.
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| The Scarab Symbol of Life and Creation in Ancient Egypt |
What Is the Scarab Beetle in Ancient Egyptian Culture?
The scarab was one of the most important sacred symbols of all. The scarab is an insect from the beetle family. The ancient Egyptians called this insect (ḫpr) Kheper, which means scarab, and Kheper, which means arise or become. It carried a very sacred symbolism, because the scarab was always present in all inscriptions, amulets and temples, and people carried it as a symbol of protection from evil.
Therefore, the scarab was considered a symbol of the beginning, the beginning of creation in ancient Egypt. Just as the word ankh in ancient Egypt expressed the scarab insect, it also expressed life, as the word ankh also means life in the ancient Egyptian language.
Over time, the presence of the scarab in texts and paintings became not just a repetition, but an affirmation of people's deep belief in its symbolic power.
It was no stranger to the ancient Egyptians. They used the scarab in ancient Egyptian writing to symbolize life as well, so the scarab was considered a symbol of life, a symbol of creation. The Egyptians saw in it the power that creates out of nothing, as if life emerges out of nothing, just as a scarab emerges its young from inside a ball of dust.
The ancient Egyptians associated the scarab with life and creation, considering that this winged insect when the mating season comes, this insect lays eggs and takes care of the eggs and makes a ball of clay and dung, this huge ball of clay and dung with the eggs inside, and wherever the insect goes, it pushes this ball in front of it until when the incubation period is completed, these eggs hatch and the small insects inside come out and this clay ball.
Why Did Ancient Egyptians Revere the Scarab Beetle?
It was no stranger to the ancient Egyptians. They used the scarab in ancient Egyptian writing to symbolize life as well, so the scarab was considered a symbol of life, a symbol of creation. The Egyptians saw in it the power that creates out of nothing, as if life emerges out of nothing, just as a scarab emerges its young from inside a ball of dust.
The ancient Egyptians associated the scarab with life and creation, considering that this winged insect when the mating season comes, this insect lays eggs and takes care of the eggs and makes a ball of clay and dung, this huge ball of clay and dung with the eggs inside, and wherever the insect goes, it pushes this ball in front of it until when the incubation period is completed, these eggs hatch and the small insects inside come out and this clay ball.
It became a symbol of rebirth, a symbol of birth, that life comes out of this clay ball. This may explain why priests and artists in different eras have focused on depicting the scarab with the sun disk, in a symbolic scene full of energy and hope.
When the ancient Egyptians visualized the sun disk, they imagined that the sun disk was a huge ball, and this ball was pushed by an invisible scarab that resembled a real scarab, when it pushed the ball of clay, and that's why it was considered the moment of sunrise.
In the end, the scarab was not just an insect to the ancient Egyptians, but a whole story that tells and expresses the beginning of life, the light that appears after darkness, creation and rebirth.
What Is the Connection Between the Scarab and the Sun God Khepri?
When the ancient Egyptians visualized the sun disk, they imagined that the sun disk was a huge ball, and this ball was pushed by an invisible scarab that resembled a real scarab, when it pushed the ball of clay, and that's why it was considered the moment of sunrise.
The sun is like a huge ball of flame pushed by an invisible scarab beyond the horizon, hence the scarab became the symbol of sunrise. It is a symbol of the god Khepri, the god of the early morning sunrise, and thus the scarab became the beginning and symbol of everything new, the transition from one stage of life to another.
On important occasions or transitional periods in an individual's life, wearing a scarab amulet was considered a good omen and the beginning of a new page full of blessings.
Then the scarab became an amulet worn by the king, or by any human being to signify rebirth and birth. It became a symbol of the sun disk when it rises early in the morning, and also became a symbol of the human heart when a scarab-shaped amulet was made and placed on the chest of a deceased person.
When a person is questioned in the next world, this heart, represented by the scarab amulet, becomes a witness that the person did not commit a sin in his life, and this scarab turns into a witness in favor of the deceased with goodness.
All mummies in ancient Egypt had to contain at least one scarab that was placed on the chest of the deceased to testify on the day of resurrection before the Great God that he did not commit a sin in his life until his death. They believed that the scarab was able to speak on behalf of a person and tell the truth, no matter how hidden from the rest of the people.
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| scarab amulet |
How Was the Scarab Used as an Amulet in Ancient Egypt?
Then the scarab became an amulet worn by the king, or by any human being to signify rebirth and birth. It became a symbol of the sun disk when it rises early in the morning, and also became a symbol of the human heart when a scarab-shaped amulet was made and placed on the chest of a deceased person.
When a person is questioned in the next world, this heart, represented by the scarab amulet, becomes a witness that the person did not commit a sin in his life, and this scarab turns into a witness in favor of the deceased with goodness.
Why Were Scarabs Placed on Mummies?
All mummies in ancient Egypt had to contain at least one scarab that was placed on the chest of the deceased to testify on the day of resurrection before the Great God that he did not commit a sin in his life until his death. They believed that the scarab was able to speak on behalf of a person and tell the truth, no matter how hidden from the rest of the people.
What Does the Scarab Symbolize in Ancient Egyptian Beliefs
In the end, the scarab was not just an insect to the ancient Egyptians, but a whole story that tells and expresses the beginning of life, the light that appears after darkness, creation and rebirth.
When we look at the importance of this symbol to the ancients, we understand that the Egyptian civilization was not only great in construction or warfare, but also in thought and faith.
The scarab has always represented the power that drives man to start over, even after death. This makes us stand in front of this sacred symbol with respect, looking at it not only as a part of history, but also as a symbol of wisdom that continues with us from thousands of years ago until now.
Written by H. Moses
All rights reserved ©Mythology and History
All rights reserved ©Mythology and History
For more about sacred symbols in ancient Egypt
- The Vulture, Symbol of Goddess Nekhbet in Ancient Egypt’s Religion
- Why the Falcon Symbolized Kingship in Ancient Egypt: God Horus
- The Lion Symbol in Ancient Egypt: Secrets You Didn't Know
- Animals Considered Evil and Opposed to the Gods in Ancient Egypt
- Symbolism of Rams in Ancient Egyptian Religion: Khnum, Amun-Ra
- Sacred Cow Symbolism in Ancient Egypt: Myths, Gods, and Cosmology
- Symbols of Anubis and the Jackal in Ancient Egypt's Beliefs
