For the Ancient Egyptians, amulets were not only decorative but also considered to bestow power and protection upon the wearer. Many amulets have been found inside the wrapping of mummies to ensure a safe journey into the afterlife, but amulets were also used by the living for protection or in order to have their wishes granted. Amulets, depending on their type or form, had different meanings, with small amulets depicting the gods, whether in a human or animal form, thought to have induced protective powers over the wearer.
The falcon was a sacred animal for a number of Egyptian cults, such as those of the god Montu and the god Ra. Most prominently, its predatory character and strength of its flight made this bird a zoomorphic representation of the deity associated with the living pharaoh, Horus. With his parents, Osiris and Isis, Horus formed one of the most important divine triads, closely connected to the royal cult. Often depicted as a falcon-headed man, the term ‘Horus’ refers usually to either two gods; Horus the Elder or Horus the Younger. Considered the most important of the avian deities, Horus was represented in a myriad of ways. As Horus the Younger, son of the gods Osiris and Isis, he was regarded as the protector of the ruler of Egypt. Thus, all pharaohs were considered the living embodiment of Horus. He was primarily a sky god, associated with the sun and with the moon. His frequently used symbols were the eye of Horus and the falcon.
To discover more about amulets in the Ancient Egyptian world, please visit our relevant post: Amulets in Ancient Egypt.
