The Wadj sceptre is described visually as a rolled papyrus scroll, and in amulet form was thought to give the wearer eternal youth. The papyrus was used in the hieroglyphic script for the word ‘wadj‘, meaning “fresh”, making it an appropriate talisman for the preservation of the body. The papyrus sceptre thus symbolised new life and regeneration, and so was particularly important for the deceased in the afterlife. Wadj sceptre amulets were often made in colours associated with re-birth and regeneration, such as green or turquoise. Popular materials included semi-precious turquoise, pale green feldspar and similarly glazed faience. Like most Egyptian amulets, the colour of the material was imbued with apotropaic qualities, not just the material.
To discover more about Egyptian amulets, please visit our relevant blog post: Amulets in Ancient Egypt.
