The Wadj Sceptre is 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 held particular significance for the deceased in the afterlife. Although turquoise is closely associated with Egyptian culture in academic and popular perceptions, it was, in fact, a rare commodity in ancient Egypt. Its light blue-green colour was connected to fertility and vegetation, therefore greatly valued.
To discover more about Egyptian amulets, please visit our relevant blog post: Amulets in Ancient Egypt.
