Amulets were decorative, but also served a practical purpose, being considered to bestow power and protection upon the wearer. Many amulets have been found inside the wrappings of mummies, as they were used to prepare the deceased for the afterlife. The god Thoth was an important deity within the Egyptian pantheon. He was involved in all aspects of Egyptian life and culture, from the living to the deceased. He was known as the keeper and recorder of all knowledge, and as the inventor of writing and language. As the deity that healed Osiris, he was also associated with healing, and thus the god of physicians and healers. His consort was the goddess Ma’at, who represented the concept of truth, balance, order, law, morality, and justice. Thoth is often depicted as a man with the head of an ibis or baboon, as these animals were sacred to him. He is usually shown as an ape in underworld settings, whereas he features in paintings and carvings predominantly as an ibis. Due to his healing connotations, amulets of Thoth were popular, worn on the body by the living as well as the dead.
To discover more about amulets in the ancient Egyptian world, please visit our relevant post: Amulets in Ancient Egypt.
