The god Horus was often associated with a falcon in ancient Egyptian religion. Its ancient Egyptian name, Wedjat, means “the one that is sound.” In Egyptian mythology Horus’ eye was injured or stolen by the god Seth and then restored by Thoth. The Eye of Horus, is one of the most recognizable and powerful symbols from ancient Egypt. It was believed to have healing and protective power and was used as a protective amulet. Amulets in this shape were very popular in ancient Egypt for thousands of years, from the Old Kingdom to Roman times. They were worn by the living and also buried with the dead, as their apotropaic significance suited both.
Iconographically she was usually depicted as a woman with the head, or ears of a cow. She is occasionally depicted as a cow. She was considered a primal goddess and the goddess of joy, music, feminine love and motherhood. On scarabs she is often associated with the sistrum and appears frontally with a headdress.
To discover more about amulets in the Ancient Egyptian world, please visit our relevant post: Amulets in Ancient Egypt.
